I Remember Mama

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This high point in the 1940s vogue for movies about family life at the turn of the century was directed by George Stevens (Shane), and stars Irene Dunne as the matriarch of a Norwegian family that faces hard knocks with grace in 1910 (or so) San Francisco. Based on John Van Druten's hit play (derived from Kathryn Forbes's autobiographical memoir), the film is gorgeously rendered and quite moving as an act of memory. The sterling cast of character actors--Edgar Bergen, Rudy Vallee, Oscar Homolka, Barbara Bel Geddes, Ellen Corby, Cedric Hardwicke--add great texture and a depth of experience that make the film feel quite lived-in. Hardwicke's turn as a penniless boarder who "pays" his rent by reciting from classic literature is a special highlight. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

I Remember Mama .......2007-09-04

This movie has it all, and will not disappoint anyone who loves their mother. I love this movie, Irene Dunne is superb, and Barbara BeGeddes is terrific (Miss Ellie from Dallas). It is touching, funny, dramatic and very entertaining, as all movies should be. Hollywood needs to make more motion pictures that fill your heart - than fill the screen with compture generated images (C G I).

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Those were the days..........2007-07-20

With poignant grace and humor, this movie presents a picture of life in the early 1900's. Respect, wisdom, perseverance, and the importance of family are warmly portrayed in the story of this immigrant family. The values represented in this film leave one with a feeling of wistful nostalgia - and a hope that those values can still be found in this day and age. This is a movie that will give you more emotional impact than any high-tech, fast-paced, action drama of today.

I Remember Mama.......2007-06-22

Based on a hit play adapted from Kathryn Forbes's autobiographical story collection, this precious, poignant film is suffused by an aura of nostalgia. Narrated in flashback by younger daughter Katrin (Bel Geddes), "Mama" is a heartwarming step back to a time when happiness and hardship mixed in equal measure. The Oscar-nominated Dunne is terrific as the domestic dynamo, and Bel Geddes--destined to become a matriarch herself on TV's "Dallas"--lends a warm, innocent presence. The pride and joy of this "Mama" also lies in a sterling supporting cast, especially Homolka as an ornery uncle and Hardwicke's quote-spouting freeloader. Compassionate and colorful.

mama not remembered.......2007-06-10

I first saw this remarkable film on the big screen and found it quite unforgettable with the warmth of the family surrounded by the centerpiece of a mama who was there for everyone. I was glad to purchase the VHS tape when it came out and found the tape transfer quite equal to the theater presentation. I thought the film presentation would be even better on DVD; HOWEVER in the DVD VERSION MAMA AND HER FAMILY AND SAN FRANCISCO ARE LOST IN MUDDY IMAGES that comes between the viewer and the story. What a great disappointment.

"I Remember Mama" vs "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn".......2007-06-08

I like watching this film in conjunction with "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn", as the contrasts between the two films in terms of family life, when the father works, as in "I Remember Mama" and when he doesn't, as in "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" are stark. It goes to show that fathers are an important part of family life, even if he is a "dreamer" (such as Johnny Nolan), despite all the politically correct garbage today which touts that fathers are unnecessary. Love both these movies!

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