Emma (1932)

After decades of raising the motherless Smith children, housekeeper Emma Thatcher is faced with resentment when she marries their father.

Director:

Clarence Brown

Writers:

Frances Marion (story), Leonard Praskins (adaptation),

Stars:

Marie Dressler, Richard Cromwell, Jean Hersholt

Nominated for 1 Oscar.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Marie Dressler	...	Emma
Richard Cromwell	...	Ronnie
Jean Hersholt	...	Mr. Smith
Myrna Loy	...	Isabelle
John Miljan	...	District Attorney
Purnell Pratt	...	Haskins (as Purnell B. Pratt)
Leila Bennett	...	Matilda
Barbara Kent	...	Gypsy
Kathryn Crawford	...	Sue
George Meeker	...	Bill
Dale Fuller	...	Maid
Wilfred Noy	...	Drake
André Cheron	...	Count Pierre (as Andre Cheron)

Storyline

When their mother dies in childbirth, Emma Thatcher who has been the nanny to his 3 children but now has an infant to care for. The children grow up and Frederick becomes rich and successful. He and Emma marry, as it turns out right before his death, and his will becomes a source of trouble between the children and Emma.

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Plot Keywords:

nanny | housekeeper | honeymoon | childbirth | death | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 January 1932 (USA)

Also Known As:

Emma die Stütze der Familie

Filming Locations:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$350,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

72 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

After winning her Best Actress Academy Award in 1931 for "Min and Bill," Marie was nominated again the very next year for her role in this film; Emma.

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Goofs

When Ronnie drives up to the Smith mansion with his dog, the dog can be seen about to follow him out of the car. Ronnie calls the dog, and we see the dog sitting in the back seat as if he hadn't budged and then walking toward him.

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Quotes

Emma: I have a voice that only a deaf mother could love.

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Connections

Featured in MGM: When the Lion Roars (1992)

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Soundtracks

"Don't You Mind It Honey If the World Goes Wrong"
(1901) (uncredited)
Written by Caro Roma
Played on the piano and sung by Marie Dressler

User Reviews

Dressler's finest film performance

This is the one that should have netted Marie Dressler the best actress Oscar, not the year prior's MIN AND BILL. EMMA is a far more complex character and she is able to show a full range of emotion in this teary tale of a devoted housekeeper who marries her employer, only to have three of his spoiled brat children turn against her when he dies. She should have drowned this bunch. She is quite superb throughout. Odd though in that if she raised them, how did they turn out to be such b*****ds???? Dressler earned a most deserved Best Actress nom. The excellent cinematography should also have been recognized by the Academy. This one is a must-see.