Throw Momma from the Train (1987)

Throw Momma from the Train is a 1987 American crime comedy film directed by Danny DeVito (in his directorial debut), and starring DeVito, Billy Crystal, Rob Reiner, Anne Ramsey, Kim Greist, Branford Marsalis, and Kate Mulgrew, with a cameo appearance by Oprah Winfrey. It was inspired by the 1951 Alfred Hitchcock thriller Strangers on a Train, which also plays a role in the film. The 1987 film's title comes from the 1956 hit song, Mama From the Train (A Kiss, A Kiss) written by Irving Gordon and sung by Patti Page. The film received mixed to positive reviews but was a major commercial success. Anne Ramsey was singled out for praise for her portrayal of the maniacal and overbearing Mrs. Lift; she received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

Novelist Larry Donner (Billy Crystal) struggles with writer's block due to his resentment towards his ex-wife Margaret (Kate Mulgrew), who recently stole his book and claimed it as her own, garnering her mainstream success and critical acclaim. Owen Lift (Danny DeVito) is a timid, middle-aged man who still lives with his overbearing, abusive mother (Anne Ramsey). Owen fantasizes of killing his mother but can't summon the courage to bring his desires into fruition. As a student in Larry's community college writing class, Owen is given advice by Larry to view an Alfred Hitchcock film to gain some insight into plot development. He sees Strangers on a Train, in which two strangers conspire to commit a murder for each other, figuring their lack of connection to the victim will, in theory, establish a perfect alibi. Having overheard Larry's public rant that he wish his ex-wife dead, Owen forms a plan to kill Margaret, believing that Larry will, in kind, kill his mother. He tracks Margaret down to Hawaii and follows her onto a cruise ship, apparently pushing her overboard while she tries to retrieve an earring she dropped. Owen returns from Hawaii to tell Larry of Margaret's death and that Larry now "owes" him the murder of his mother, lest he inform the police Larry was the killer. After having spent the night drinking alone during the hours of Margaret's disappearance, Larry panics because he lacks a sufficient alibi. That, along with a news report announcing the police suspect foul play, convinces Larry he's the prime suspect. He decides to stay with Owen and his mother in an attempt to hide from the police. Larry meets Mrs. Lift, but despite her harsh treatment of him he refuses to kill her. Eventually, when Mrs. Lift drives Owen to the breaking point, Larry, pitying Owen, finally relents and agrees to go through with the murder. Throughout this ordeal, Larry's students are interviewed by investigators, with each confirming his loathing her, thus further building his motive for her murder. After two unsuccessful attempts, Larry flees the Lift home when Mrs. Lift recognizes him as a suspect from a news broadcast about Margaret's disappearance. He boards a train to Mexico and, surprisingly, Owen and Mrs. Lift come along so as to avoid having to lie for him. During the journey, Larry's patience with Mrs. Lift reaches its pinnacle when she impolitely gives him advice on writing. Mrs. Lift leaves to the bathroom, with Larry following her with the intent of throwing her from the train, but stops short when she almost falls off on her own. Owen begins having second thoughts about having his mother killed and comes to help Larry rescue her. Mrs. Lift is grateful for her son saving her, but is unappreciative of Larry's help and kicks him, resulting in him losing his balance, falling off, and breaking a leg. During his recovery in the hospital, it is discovered that Margaret is still alive. After falling overboard, she was rescued by a Polynesian fisherman whom she falls for and decides to marry. Much to his annoyance, Larry learns Margaret plans to sell the rights of her ordeal for $1.5 million dollars. On the advice of a fellow patient, Larry chooses to free himself of his obsession with his ex-wife and instead focus on his own life, thereby freeing him of his writer's block and alcoholism. A year later, Larry has finished a novel based on his experiences with Owen and Mrs. Lift entitled Throw Momma from the Train, which promises to be a bestseller. Owen visits and informs him that his mother has died (of natural causes) and that he's going to New York City for the release of his own book. Unfortunately, Owen reveals his book is also about their experiences together. Thinking his book has been scooped again, an enraged Larry proceeds to strangle him, but stops when Owen shows him the book is a children's pop-up book called, Momma, Owen, and Owen's Friend Larry with the story drastically altered to be suitable for children. Some time later, Larry, Owen, and Larry's girlfriend Beth (Kim Greist) vacation together in Hawaii, reflecting on the final chapter of Larry's book. Larry and Owen's books are bestsellers, making them both successfully wealthy writers as well as close friends.