Jessica Lange was also nominated for a Golden Globe for her role as Big Edie.

Beale's ceremony was half over when his mother Big Edie arrived, dressed like an opera star.

"Big Edie considered it a coup: 'A Beale upstaged a Bouvier.' "

Then you realize that Big Edie is exerting a pull.

Of course, if it were not for the film "Grey Gardens," the public would not have known about Big and Little Edie at all.

Big Edie died in 1977, after falling off a rickety mobile commode.

So maybe Big Edie was in fact providing a safe haven for a daughter who couldn't manage in the world.

After Phelan left his wife, "Big Edie" and "Little Edie" lived there for more than 50 years.

The home had been purchased for Big Edie in 1923 when it still had one of the finest gardens on the East Coast.

Instead, Big Edie ended up with $300 per month.