Customer Reviews

I Remember Mama

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This movie will make you laugh and cry and recall all the family feelings you had or that you wish you had experienced. It is as special today as it was when it first came out. Set in a 1910 LA a family shares its heart with the modern viewer. It has a startling cast of characters, both as actors but also as the characters depicted. Definitely a family film.

In retrospect George Steven's production of "I Remember Mama" is the high water mark in 1940s family life melodrama. Set at the turn of the last century in San Francisco, the film stars the usually scatterbrained Irene Dunne; on this occasion as the tender yet determined matriarch, Martha Hanson. Together with her husband, Lars (Philip Dorn) and extended family (buttressed by a stellar cast including Barbara Bel Geddes, Cedric Hardwicke, Ellen Corby, Rudy Vallee, Edgar Bergan and Florence Bates) the Norwegian clan weathers some hard knocks and poignant moments with grace and charm. This is one of those elegant little `jabs of pleasure' that American cinema used to dole out en masse during its golden age, but now seems rendered in exceedingly short supply. Based on John Van Druten's hit play (derived from Kathryn Forbes's autobiographical memoir), the film is a veritable feast for the heart and mind; a richly textured and moving experience - not to be missed.

Unfortunately more could have been done to clean up this print before rushing it out to DVD. Warner's transfer is marred by a considerable amount of age related artifacts. Though the gray scale is nicely balanced at times, the image often tends to exhibit an overly soft quality that is more blurry than evocative of mood or style. There is also a considerable amount of film grain present in most scenes. Otherwise, black and contrast levels on the whole tend to be deep and nicely balanced. There are no digital anomalies. The audio is mono and suffers at times from a muffled characteristic. Background hiss is detected in quiescent scenes. A brief introduction by the director's son, George Steven's Jr. is all the extras you get. Bottom line; this film still gets my recommendation for a must have Christmas stocking stuffer. It may not be presented here in its optimal condition but regardless, is sure to warm the heart throughout the holidays and beyond.

it will make you cry and laugh a truley wonderful and memorable movie

This is a magnificent performance by a wonderful artist, Irene Dunne, PLEASE....DVD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Great Movie...see it!

Our whole family (ages 1-44) watched this movie together and every one of us (except the 1 yr old) laughed and cried throughout the whole thing. Dunne is an amazing actress for her day and plays "Mama" beautifully. Uncle Chris is a brilliant character that adds much color to this black-and-white film. The family- Mama's husband and children- are delightful to watch mature and grow up. The aunts are a load of fun! From beginning to end, this movie grabs your attention-and you will most certainly laugh! I also suggest reading the book "Mama's Bank Account" before or after watching the film. What a great movie! WONDERFUL!

It was an otherwise uneventful New Year's weekend when we popped this video into our VCR. Quickly the story brought tears to our eyes as we so easily identified with the people, of a time long ago in California. We grew up in the days when I Remember Mama was a weekly and "live" T-V program with Peggy Wood. Surely this series was inspired by the movie with Irene Dunn handling the lead role. My wife and I pondered the distance entertainment has traveled since the days of 1910 as portrayed in this classic film. It is safe to say that even in those days there would have been disfunctional families; not every family was like the Larson's. But it was a sweeter time, a time when family members seemed to care for each other in ways seldom depicted in today's films and TV programs. It is a film which can stand along side others like Fiddler on the Roof, Its a Wonderful Life and A Christmas Story. Its a film worth watching often.

This movie is a must see for those of us of scandinavian descent.

It has all the qualities of a good family film; sorrow, laughter, you name it. Fantastic.

or as one would say in scandinavian, so meget god (so very good)

This episodic film tells the story of a Norwegian immigrant family living in San Francisco at the beginning of the twentieth century. Irene Dunne gives a terrific performance as the title character who is the moral and emotional core of the family. Various episodes in the family form the basis of the story, some humorous and some more sober. It's great to see a family where values are important and everyone does their part. Oscar Homolka as a frightening uncle and Ellen Corby as Mama's frightened sister standout in a strong supporting cast. The film pays tribute to a wonderful mother, but it also plays tribute to the support that comes from the family unit. It's nice to see this kind of story once in a while!

I enjoyed watching this film. Irene Dunn, who plays "Mama", does an excellent job holding this family together. She, also, does a great job of establishing and holding onto the treasures that makes this family blend together. What good memories I will have of this movie when I drink a cup of coffee. The movie is narrated by Barbara Bel Geddes. She brings the love this family has for each other by her presentation of the story. How many families do we know today who would share all aspects of the ups and downs a family faces, especially financial? Nothing was held back from anyone in the family which allowed them all to work towards one common goal.

The timeless story of the self-sacrifices a mother makes to assure her family (especially her children) always have everything they need is a best selling novel, a charming Broadway Musical, and best-know as the star-studded 1948 movie classic.

Irene Dunn plays "Mama", the matriarch of a Norwegian immigrant family in early 1900's San Francisco. She and "Papa" are poor, but proud, raising several "American born" children. A repeated statement that they "won't have to go to the bank" eventually is revealed as a "white lie" told by Mama so the children wouldn't worry about the family's financial state. There really was no "bank".

The narrator is a teenage girl (wonderfully played by Barbara Bel Geddes), giving the viewer an insight into her extended family, often sharing funny moments, but also showing very touching scenes. A young Ellen Corby ("Grandma Walton") is wonderful as Aunt Trina, who is not taken seriously by her relatives, but gains respect when she is courted and wed by a man who loves and treats her well.

The film introduces each family member individually, then discribes the person, until the viewer seems "at home", knowing everyone well. The film climaxes with the lead character (Bel Geddes) reading the introduction to her first published book ("I Rememeber Mama"). -- This film is a delight to watch from beginning to end. Be sure to keep a box of kleenex within reach! This film has my highest recommendation!