Ever wonder what happens to movie props after the credits roll? Well, in the case of John Waters' cult classic Serial Mom, one chilling piece of the film found its way onto eBay, courtesy of the star herself, Kathleen Turner. This quirky tale highlights the life of Beverly Sutphin, a seemingly perfect suburban mother with a dark secret: a penchant for murder when anyone dares to disrupt her ideal world. But here's where it gets interesting...
In Serial Mom, Beverly, portrayed by Turner, is the epitome of the perfect 1950s sitcom mom, always smiling, cooking, and avoiding foul language. Yet, when the cameras aren't rolling, she transforms into a dark, vengeful character.
Her victims? Anyone who offends her sense of suburban perfection. The film is a darkly comedic send-up of the 'Ozzie & Harriet' era, with Turner delivering an Oscar-worthy performance. Unfortunately, the film was a box office flop, earning only $7.8 million against a $14 million budget.
But Serial Mom has since gained a devoted following, becoming a staple in the midnight movie circuit. And that's where the story of the painting begins.
During the film, a haunting portrait of Beverly hangs above the family's mantelpiece. Turner revealed that she was given the painting after filming, but she couldn't stand to have it in her house.
She eventually sold it to a fan on eBay. Vulture asked Turner about her acting approach to capturing Beverly Sutphin's two distinct personalities. Turner explained that both sides of Beverly were genuine, and the 'Serial Mom' eyes in the portrait were not her preference.
This leads to a fascinating question: Do you think the actress's personal feelings about the film's reception influenced her decision to sell the painting?
Turner clarified that Beverly isn't a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde character, but rather both sides are intentional and true. This duality is likely why fans adore the film.
Fortunately, Serial Mom has been resurrected, with a high-end Blu-ray available for purchase. What do you think about the film? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
