Memorable moms

Hollywood has had a complicated, love-hate relationship with mothers throughout the years.

There's perhaps no better movie mother than family matriarch Martha "Mama" Hanson (Irene Dunne), from 1948's "I Remember Mama."

Of course, films have had quite a few bad examples of motherhood as well. Take Joan Crawford (as played by Faye Dunaway) in the 1981 movie version of "Mommie Dearest."

And don't forget about Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins) committing murder while dressed as "Mother" in "Psycho" (1960). That was pretty ugly.

Here are a few more examples of memorable movie mothers — the good, the bad and the ugly (metaphorically speaking):

ANIMATED MOMS

The Good: Helen Parr (voiced by Holly Hunter) in "The Incredibles" (2004).

She's the incredibly pliable Elastigirl, who keeps her family together and keeps her superhero husband in line.

The Bad: Lady Tremaine (the voice of Eleanor Audley) in "Cinderella" (1950).

She's the classic example of the evil stepmother character.

The Ugly: Bambi's mother (voice of Paula Winslowe) in "Bambi" (1942).

She dies tragically, saving her child, in what's still one of the most heartbreaking moments on film.

COMEDY MOMS

The Good: Helen Buckman (Dianne Wiest) and Karen Buckman (Mary Steenburgen) in "Parenthood" (1989).

These two characters show us that patience really is a virtue.

The Bad: Beatrice Henderson (Debbie Reynolds) in "Mother" (1996).

Given her peculiar personality, it's no wonder her middle-aged son (Albert Brooks) is such a mess.

The Ugly: Career woman J.C. Wiatt (Diane Keaton) in "Baby Boom" (1987).

She eventually learns to balance her personal and professional life — though motherhood is thrust upon her.

DRAMATIC MOMS

The Good: Ma Joad (Jane Darwell) in "The Grapes of Wrath" (1940).

She's the one person who never gives up, despite her family going through the Great Depression.

The Bad: Beth Jarrett (Mary Tyler Moore) in"Ordinary People" (1980).

Still bitter over the death of one son, she nearly drives another one to his death.

The Ugly: Lindy Chamberlain (Meryl Streep) in "A Cry in the Dark" (1988).

She's a mother accused of killing her child and utters the now-infamous line, "A dingo ate my baby."

MUSICAL MOMS

The Good: Donna Sheridan (Streep) in "Mamma Mia!" (2008).

Here's a mother who continually puts her daughter's happiness before her own.

The Bad: Mame Dennis (Lucille Ball) in "Mame" (1974).

She's a fun-loving person, an "other mother" who is really the aunt filling in for the biological mom who seems less than thrilled to be taking care of her orphaned nephew.

The Ugly: Edna Turnblad (John Travolta) in "Hairspray" (2007).

OK, this really does qualify as ugly. Travolta in drag isn't a pretty sight, to put it mildly.

E-mail: jeff@desnews.com