Rating: 
Summary: Mama as Memory
Review: Few films can tug at the heart strings as well as I REMEMBER MAMA. Adapted from the John Van Druten play, which was itself taken from the Kathryn Forbes novel, I REMEMBER MAMA captures indelibly slices of time in the life of a Norwegian family living in San Francisco at the turn of the 19th century. Narrated by a grown up Katrin (Barbara Bel Geddes), the film combines the problems of adapting to life in the United States with solutions that seem unworkable to those still steeped in the ways of the Old Country. At the center is Mama(Irene Dunne), who orchestrates the lives of her large extended family. Irene Dunne is superb with her profound understanding of human nature. She shows in scene after scene that a matriarch must be flexible enough to account for and guide the divergent personalities of her family. For her sisters, Mama makes it clear that she will not permit them to bully her vulnerable children. For her children, she extends praise when it is needed and stoicism when that is needed too. And for the boarder who skips town without paying his owed rent, she resigns herself that he has paid in a different coin, that of reading the classics to her children, thus inculcating in them a love of words. Surrounding Irene Dunne is a group of superb supporting actors, all of whom add flavor to a film that is linked only by the memories of Katrin. Perhaps the most outstanding job is the one done by the non-paying boarder, Mr.Hyde (Cedric Hardwicke), who nightly regales the family with timeless tales narrated in his booming voice, the sum total of which is to create a story within a story with each passing tale. Although the years pass, no one seems to age, and that is all right since the segue from scene to scene is accomplished so seamlessly that the audience scarcely notices. Oscar Homolka as Uncle Chris hits just the right note as the blustery yet kindly man who hides his kindness beneath a pushy attitude. Interspersed through key scenes in the movie are the appearances of Katrin, who interrupts the narrative to talk directly to the audience, commenting like a subdued omniscient narrator on the plot. Again, rather than putting off the audience with a style of narration that in another film would surely be seen as intrusive, in I REMEMBER MAMA, Katrin's comments, as well as all the various strands of the film, are seen instead as welcome threads that unite what could have been an aimless, disjointed movie into a chronicle of a family that rings true with each passing scene. Not many movies can come close to accomplishing this. Homolka, Bel Gedddes, and Dunne were all nominated for Academy Awards. This is truly one of the most heart-warming films of all time.
Rating:
Summary: How Can This Not Be on DVD?
Review: Hate to be a nag...but can we get this one on DVD?
GREAT cast. Simple story of immigrant family in San Francisco circa early cable car days. Nice people who care for each other. There's comedy, drama and a cat that will NOT die.
A guilty pleasure.
Rating:
Summary: A superb family drama
Review: How wonderful that this is being released on DVD. Irene Dunne
had one of her greatest roles as Martha Hansen. She is perfect
in every way. Nice support from Barbara Bel Geddes and Ellen
Corby who would become big tv stars in the years to come. Edgar
Bergen and Rudy Vallee are fine too and Oscar Homolka nearly
steals the show as the cantankerous Uncle Chris. It brings back
memories of Friday nights when Peggy Wood came on making Maxwell
House coffee and then the show started. MAMA was the highlight of
the week. How sad they were live since most episodes are lost forever.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Movie if you're into it
Review: I Love this movie!
BUT I can understand how others might not. It's not an action blockbuster or anything like that. No big mystery or plot twists. If you are not into movies with character development then this is not for you. It did seem to get a little long, but I love the story to the very end. Mama is very resourceful in getting what she needs for her children. Would you go to the lengths she does for her children's happiness?
Rating:
Summary: TENDER FAMILY MELODRAMA GETS AVERAGE TRANSFER
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Old & sweet times
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: they don't make them like this any more
Review: it will make you cry and laugh a truley wonderful and memorable movie
Rating:
Summary: A Hilarious, Touching Family Movie
Review: 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!
Rating:
Summary: My favorite movie !!!!!
Review: Out of all the kajillion movies out there this is my favorite. I'm only 37 but this movie touched me on many levels. Family dynamics, situational humor, subtleties on many levels, and the specific personalities involved with all the family members. It's so sweet and interesting. You have to have patience though. It is a bit long and not so in your face like movies of today. Finally, this movie shows the epitome of what family is and should be about: love, sacrifice and respect.
Rating:
Summary: "...but most of all, I remember Mama"
Review: 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!
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