I Remember Mama (DVD)

I Remember Mama was one of the very best of Hollywood's Golden Age nostalgic films about family life. Yes, it's sweet, and innocent too, but it's not saccharine or idealized and deals with serious issues like childhood illness and death in the family. The family is the Hanson's, headed by Mama (Irene Dunne) and Papa (Philip Dorn) and their four children, Katrin, Nels,Christine and Dagmar. They are part of an extended family who all moved to San Francisco from Norway to keep themselves close to each other. Mama's rented house is at the top of Larkin Street with a view of the bay. They are headed by gruff Uncle Chris (Oskar Homolka), the three nieces, Jenny (who is bossy), Sigrid (who whines and complains) and Trina (a spinster suddenly about to be married) and little cousin Arne, Sigrid's boy. The story is intricate and episodic but really draws you in after a while because it seems so real with genuine family issues and characters who are not all perfect and have their flaws. The ensemble cast is simply marvelous from the children to old Uncle Chris. Oskar Homolka recreated his stage role as the family patriarch in one of the best movie roles of his career. Edgar Bergen is absolutely unrecognizable as shy Mr. Thorkelson, and Florence Bates makes a memorable appearance as a noted author who loves good food. Then, of course there's Irene Dunne in one of the best roles in her career and one of the five for which she achieved an academy award nomination (she was known as "the best actress who never won an Academy Award). Originally a dramatic actress known for films like Back Street and Love Affair, she switched gears to become one of the best comic actresses with Theodora Goes Wild, The Awful Truth and my Favorite Wife. with her usual dedication she studied several months with a Norwegian teacher to get the accent right. The result is a note-perfect performance from beginning to end. The title may sound a bit cloying and even the DVD cover looks a little too sentimental, but this is a truly fine movie that those who like classic films and really, anyone else should enjoy. Give it a chance. EXTRA NOTE ON MARLON BRANDO: A lot of fuss is made about the fact that Marlon Brando played the son, Nels, in the original stage production, one of his first roles. Many people have said he should have gotten the movie role as well. But I disagree with that idea. If Brando was in it his presence might have become the main thing the film would be known for. His presence would overshadow everything else and we would never see Nels, we'd see Brando. I think the unknown Steve Brown made a perfect Nels and blended in with the ensemble cast without creating undue attention to himself. And really, he looks a lot more Norwegian than Marlon Brando.

Wonderful, heartwarming movie.

This past holiday, I gave this film to a wonderful lady met at work. I work in a hospital and oftentimes find myself drawn into the most interesting conversations with people. She was disheartened at the caliber of today's films, and wistfully recalled movies from the 1930's and 1940's as being the best ever made. I agreed, and added 1950's to that sum. To me, those were decades that remain unsurpassed in the arena of cinematic grandeur, charm, substance, quality and style. Moreover, the actors were phenomenal. Just that fabulous. My elderly patient and I speculated about who was -A Dish- . Of course, Cary Grant tops my list (it's really a tie between he and Gregory Peck) . My patient also adores Cary Grant (her words: Dream Boat (: ) This then led into leading ladies, with Irene Dunne being his most favored. Agree agree agree! They went together so well. - Irene is fantastic in this film. She stands superbly on her own, even sans a leading man. Admittedly, I was acclimated to seeing her in more fun, happier, even some kookier roles, but she outdoes herself as always here, notwithstanding a much more subdued and serious character. She performs flawlessly and has an impressive supporting cast, all winners. The film is long. It takes a bit to warm up to the setting and storyline. Be patient. It is well done and merits at least viewing twice before you form an opinion either way. Ones who grew up with this will not be surprised or disappointed. The film is good, solid, decent, and conveys a strong message of togetherness and the strength of family bonds. I would rather not include spoilers in any film (and most book) reviews I write, because I don't want to ruin any plot or ending etc for first time viewers; but if you are a fan of true classics and silver screen stars...this movie will warm your heart. My dear patient is thrilled with this film. She relayed to me how happy it it makes her to have seen this again, after so many years. So glad am I that I could bring her bits of joy with this small gesture. I am utterly thankful these cinematic masterpieces have made their way into the world of today's technology, to include remastering, and conversion to DVD.

This is a marvelous movie!

One of my favorite movies.. It is nice to have my own DVD.. recommended.

One of my favorite movies.

I saw this movie with my mother a couple years before her passing. She loved as I did. We both laughed when Ellen Corby called a maid 'a waitress'. And how the younger daughter Dagmar seemed to be able to do things no one else in the family could. So if you like family movies this one is a must-see.

Wonderful film about a Norwegian immigrant family who settle in the United States in 1910 to be with the rest of their family. It follows their trials and tribulations over the years. Beautiful movie that will touch your heart and leave you thinking about the importance of close family ties. 5 stars.

Well this is an absolute classic of course, made in 1948 and almost up there with It's A Wonderful Life and Little Women. Immigrant Norwegian family finds the going tough in San Francisco in the early 1900s. Irene Dunne is Mama, who holds the family together (nice but wimpish husband, son and daughters) in spite of severe financial straits and adventures, and manages to keep the wolf from the door and avoid going to the mythical bank to withdraw money. Barbara Belle Geddes (later the Dallas Godmother) is the eldest daughter and would-be writer who eventually succeeds in writing a blockbuster about her heroine mama. Although strictly a story for the ladies, men with warm hearts will enjoy this too. Our family had this masterpiece on VHS in the 1980s and my wife, myself and two daughters (both in their 40s now) hugely enjoyed the film, and have both upgraded with DVD. Guess what? their respective teenage daughters love the story too!!

This film is a memoir of the eldest daughter of Norweigan immigrants, set in San Francisco at the turn of the century. It relates the story of several memorable incidents, where the family's mother is loving and resourceful and keeps that family happy and secure regardless of how close they are to poverty. Fiercely independent, and not willing to be a charity case, they are able to cope with hospitalizing their youngest child for a serious ear problem, educating all the children, and even helping their eldest realize her dream of becoming a "real writer." Mama can make everything better. She also helps her sisters and is the only one in the family that can cope with their loud, and somewhat overbearing "Uncle Kris." Very heartwarming and sentimental. Based the book "Mama's Bank Account" by Kathryn Forbes.

Irene Dunne at her best. One of her many many performances that got overlooked at oscar time. This movie is flawless from beginning to end. A true testament to a mother's love.

Barbara Belle Geddes is best known for her work as Miss Ellie Ewing in Dallas, but long before that, she was a teenager and stars in this tale of a young Norwegian girl growing up in San Francisco around the war years. She learns many lessons as she grows, and the love of her family shines through. Her mother (Irene Dunne) and her sisters feature strongly i this tale, and then male leads are almost non-existent, making this possibly one of the earliest chick-flicks around. Sit down, relax and enjoy nostalgia at its best.