<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 ca n'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> 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 ca n'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>
who played the mother in throw momma from the train
who played the mother in throw momma from the train
Anne Ramsey
Anne Ramsey