IMDb > Emma (1932)
IMDb Holiday Movie Guide

Overview

User Rating:
7.0/10   231 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 79% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Clarence Brown
Writers:
Frances Marion (story)
Leonard Praskins (adaptation)
more
Contact:
View company contact information for Emma on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
2 January 1932 (USA) more
Genre:
Comedy | Drama | Romance more
Plot:
When their mother dies, Frederick Smith hires Emma Thatcher to be a nanny to his 3 children. The children... more | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
Nominated for Oscar. more
User Comments:
Marie Dressler Is Beautiful more (16 total)

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)
Marie Dressler ... Emma Thatcher Smith
Richard Cromwell ... Ronald 'Ronnie' Smith
Jean Hersholt ... Mr. Frederick 'Fred' Smith

Myrna Loy ... Countess Isabelle 'Izzy' Smith Marlin
John Miljan ... District Attorney
Purnell Pratt ... Mr. Haskins, the Lawyer (as Purnell B. Pratt)
Leila Bennett ... Matilda, the Maid
Barbara Kent ... Gypsy Smith
Kathryn Crawford ... Sue Smith
George Meeker ... Bill Smith
Dale Fuller ... Maid at Hotel
Wilfred Noy ... Drake, the First Butler
André Cheron ... Count Pierre (as Andre Cheron)
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parents
Runtime:
72 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Black and White
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Sound System)
Certification:
Australia:G | USA:Approved
Company:
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) more

Fun Stuff

Goofs:
Continuity: 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. more
Quotes:
Emma: Stop calling me beautiful! more
Movie Connections:
Featured in "MGM: When the Lion Roars" (1992) more
Soundtrack:
Don't You Mind It Honey If the World Goes Wrong more

FAQ

What have critics said?
more

User Comments

   (Comment on this title)
2 out of 2 people found the following comment useful.
Marie Dressler Is Beautiful, 12 August 2008
9/10
Author: wesconnorsehny from Earth

Hefty housekeeper Marie Dressler (as Emma) becomes the surrogate mother to a wealthy Long Island family, after their mother dies, giving birth to Richard Cromwell (as Ronnie). While helping her prepare for a well-deserved Niagara Falls vacation, family father Jean Hersholt (as Smith) startles Ms. Dressler by proposing marriage; and, the trip becomes a honeymoon. Back home, only Mr. Cromwell, Dressler's favorite "son", celebrates the marriage. The three other Smith children (George Meeker, Myrna Loy, and Barbara Kent) are furious; they feel the ailing Mr. Hersholt married a mere "servant", who will steal the family fortune.

This is Marie Dressler at her sentimental best; assisted by an apt MGM team, including Clarence Brown (director), Oliver Marsh (photographer), and Frances Marion (writer). Dressler won a "Best Actress" Academy Award" for a previous effort, "Min and Bill" (1930); however, her "Emma" is a stronger characterization. This more deserved "Best Actress" nomination became the Academy Awards' #2 choice for the 1931/32 eligibility period; in the voting, Dressler was just behind winner Helen Hayes (in "The Sin of Madelon Claudet"). Dressler should have won for "Emma", rather than "Min and Bill".

Richard Cromwell and Jean Hersholt might have been nominated as "Best Supporting Actors"; but, the category was not introduced until 1936 (Dressler would have likely won the 1929/30 award, in this category, for "Anna Christie"). Parts of "Emma" have not aged well, especially some of the early, yet important, scenes. But, its strengths make up for these weaknesses. Watch for the scene in which Dressler throws her ungrateful step-children out of the house. This is followed by a scene with Dressler being "haunted" by the "ghosts" of the little Smith children; it's an extraordinarily touching "special effect". And, it all works so well due to Dressler.

Dressler is unfairly called a "scene stealer"; most of the time, she was just very good. If you were good, you kept up with her. With material to work with, Dressler's co-stars are just as memorable. Note, how, in lesser roles, Cromwell and Hersholt compliment Dressler's "Emma" perfectly. Both Hersholt and Dressler play his "death scene" beautifully. And, Cromwell's one-word description of "Emma" is the film's most lingering. You won't forget it.

********* Emma (1/2/32) Clarence Brown ~ Marie Dressler, Richard Cromwell, Jean Hersholt, Myrna Loy

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (16 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Emma (1932)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
DVD now available directly from Warner's webpage! simonhowson
Please, a DVD release of this wonderful film danielj_old999
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
The Kite Runner Move Over, Darling Wuthering Heights The Other Boleyn Girl A Wicked Woman
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
IMDb Comedy section IMDb USA section Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.