<P> The title comes from Patti Page's 1956 hit song, "Mama from the Train (A Kiss, A Kiss)". The film was inspired by the 1951 Alfred Hitchcock thriller Strangers on a Train, which is also seen in the film . </P> <P> The film received mixed reviews, but was a commercial success . Anne Ramsey was singled out for praise for her portrayal of the overbearing Mrs. Lift; she won a Saturn Award and was nominated for a Golden Globe Award and the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress . </P> <P> Novelist Larry Donner (Billy Crystal) struggles with writer's block due to his resentment towards his ex-wife Margaret (Kate Mulgrew), who stole his book and garnered mainstream success and critical acclaim with it . Owen Lift (Danny DeVito) is a timid, middle - aged fellow who still lives with his overbearing, abusive and paranoid mother (Anne Ramsey). Owen fantasizes about 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 for his mystery stories . 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 wished his ex-wife dead, Owen forms a plan to kill Margaret, believing that Larry will, in return, kill his mother . </P> <P> He tracks Margaret down to Hawaii and eventually follows her onto a cruise ship she is taking to her book signing . He then apparently pushes her overboard while she tries to retrieve an earring that fell . 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 that 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 that the police suspect foul play, convinces Larry that 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 breaking point, Larry finally relents and agrees to go through with the murder . </P>

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