jacobs-greenwood Based on a true story about a family of immigrants from Norway who settled in San Francisco at the turn-of-the-20th century, this heartwarming comedy-drama features an unforgettable Academy Award nominated performance from (five-time Best Actress nominee) Irene Dunne as the titled Mama, the center of this extended family, and the film.It's narrated by the biography's author, Barbara Bel Geddes (who would become known to TV audiences as Miss Ellie on the series Dallas) as the eldest daughter Kathryn Forbes, whose character lovingly recalls growing up with her parents (Philip Dorn plays her father) and siblings.Oscar Homolka plays Mama's older brother Uncle Chris, an outwardly tough character with a soft underbelly, who visits occasionally; he was the first to travel to the "New World" of America, where he became successful enough to do what he pleases (like live "scandalously" with another woman who's not his wife!). Told through a series of vignettes, the film's story covers various hardships encountered by the family – financial struggles to afford schooling for the oldest son, the loss of a pet, an accident that puts one of the children in the hospital, the "coming of age" of a daughter – and how their love and teamwork help them to deal with these events. All the while, optimistic Mama and Papa impart some timeless values of unconditional love, hope and perseverance which contribute to making this movie an essential family classic, one that's very much worth the 134 minute time investment it takes to view it.In addition to Dunne, Homolka received a lead actor nomination (his only) and Bel Geddes and Ellen Corby, who plays Mama's sister Aunt Trina, received their only acting nominations, competing against each other in the Supporting Actress category and losing to Claire Trevor and her performance in Key Largo (1948). Nicholas Musuraca also received his only Academy recognition when his black-and-white Cinematography was Oscar nominated. Cedric Hardwicke, Edgar Bergen, and Rudy Vallee (among others) appear in supporting roles. It was directed by George Stevens, based on Forbes's novel and the play by John Van Druten; DeWitt Bodeen wrote the screenplay.

lbbrooks There is not one thing that I can say to detract from the quality of this film. That it was George Stevens' first film after returning from the horrors he witnessed in WWII speaks volume. On the surface it is a slice of Americana, but like Frank Capra's "It's A Wonderful Life", it is so much more. It is about a family's survival, orchestrated by its loving and wise matriarch, portrayed here in her penultimate screen role by Irene Dunne. She is surrounded by an embarrassment of acting riches: Cedric Hardwicke, Oscar Holmolka (who as Uncle Chris almost steals the show), Rudy Vallee, Barbara O'Neill, Ellen Corby, Edgar Bergen, and Philip Dorn. Each occupies his or her role so completely that we forget that they are acting and we accept them as we would members of our own family. Mama is no nonsense and she has the smarts that it takes to keep the wolf from the door and to see to it that her large brood succeeds in life. There is no sacrifice too great. The scene where she offers her top secret meatball recipe to Florence Bates' snooty editor in exchange for the latter's promise to review Katrin's story is a tour de force by both Dunne and Bates. This film is woven like a tapestry and like the work of art it is, the viewer can find something new in it each time it is watched. That is the mark of a great film. To be sure, Irene Dunne was snubbed when she didn't receive the Best Actress Oscar for this her masterwork but the fact that the film has stood the test of nearly 70 years is a much greater award.

donny backes Saw this years ago and had forgotten what a charming little film it was.Irene Dunn is wonderful as the rock holding together a struggling family, well worth viewing.While not an overtly political flick it obliquely reminds us that the melting pot concept is what made America what it is and is the greatest source of our nations strength.I think it also effectively challenges Tolstoys over quoted line that all happy families are alike.I wonder if a film such as this could even be made today as none of the characters had internal flaws and were able to triumph over life's random and inevitable adversity on their own inner strength and love for each other.I often find it interesting that art such as this was produced by the generation that had survived the deppression won world war two and quietly built what was perhaps the most successful society the world has ever known.

jzappa I Remember Mama is George Stevens's closest foray into comedy after his experiences in WWII, and though it is primarily a drama, a slice of life, it is one of the funniest movies I have ever seen. Kathryn Forbes's loving reminisces of a childhood in San Francisco and of her wonderful ex-Norwegian grandma are sprawled to broad visual scope and performed by an outstanding cast.For maverick filmmaker George Stevens has conveyed her seemingly inconsequential story in all its warm and pleasant character to the screen. Framed by a progression of musings of a youthful author's gushing thoughts, Stevens has composed a pleasing and charming Home Sweet Home cloth of hilarious and moving chapters in the lives of an extraordinarily pleasant family of Norwegian-Americans. And its lovable cast of Hollywood performers catches the unspoiled radiance of character.As it surely proves significant material further than the flicker of any cynic's reservations, this story craves no more than thoughtful treatment to reach the merit of triumph that only someone as insightful as Stevens would recognize. And he has comforted this with unflagging sway of the directorial pedals. His understated scenes are by no means ever excessively slushy, not even the scene where Mama sings her lullaby. Moreover, in the many fleeting outings of the family beyond their home, and above all in the frenzied shots of their gasping of their jalopy up and down their residential hill, he has swelled such traces as associate these people to an external world which, by the insular temperament of the story, is no more than abstractedly understood to be.As Mama, the president, if you will, of the family, the unconditionally beautiful Irene Dunne gives a wonderfully touching, lovable and funny performance, in a wig and in dresses which truly seem to be aged. Controlling with level flair a tongue-in-cheek Norwegian accent and a worried look, Dunne has the fire and energy, and still the gentleness, that the role wants. As the oldest daughter, the one who frames the story, Barbara Bel Geddes plays most regularly as in a stupor, entranced by Mama and pure splendor, and that corresponds with the common atmosphere. As well, Philip Dorn as Papa and Peggy McIntyre and June Hedin as Bel Geddes's siblings have the flavor of angels, for all their delightful manner.Oskar Homolka, who plays the overbearing Uncle Chris, one of the most laugh-out-loud characters I have ever seen in a movie, gives to it all the broad blunder and goofiness that Stevens has the undiluted sense of humor to augment with overwhelming close-ups and things of the sort. Edgar Bergen's Mr. Torkelson is also a side-splitting pleasure and so is Sir Cedric Hardwicke.The film begins with eldest daughter Bel Geddes finishing her autobiographical novel. As she harks back to her family life, we flashback to 1910, where the first of a series of vignettes finds Dunne arranging the weekly budget with the help of her light, practical husband, her son and her daughters. Her son reveals his wish to attend high school. Each family member puts forward to make an economic sacrifice to throw in to the boy's education. How peaceful. Really. It may seem like nothing happens in the lives of this family, but it is a purely emotional experience. It does not aim for us to pity the immigrant experience but to embrace the hopeful aspirations the immigrant experience. I want to make love to this movie and everyone in it, especially Mama.