I Remember Mama (1948)

The ups and downs of a Norwegian immigrant family, circa 1910.

Director:

George Stevens

Writers:

DeWitt Bodeen (screenplay), John Van Druten (based upon the play "I Remember Mama" adapted by),

Stars:

Irene Dunne, Barbara Bel Geddes, Oskar Homolka

Nominated for 5 Oscars. Another 1 win & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Irene Dunne	...	Mama
Barbara Bel Geddes	...	Katrin
Oskar Homolka	...	Uncle Chris (as Oscar Homolka)
Philip Dorn	...	Papa
Cedric Hardwicke	...	Mr. Hyde (as Sir Cedric Hardwicke)
Edgar Bergen	...	Mr. Thorkelson
Rudy Vallee	...	Dr. Johnson
Barbara O'Neil	...	Jessie Brown
Florence Bates	...	Florence Dana Moorhead
Peggy McIntyre	...	Christine
June Hedin	...	Dagmar
Steve Brown	...	Nels
Ellen Corby	...	Aunt Trina
Hope Landin	...	Aunt Jenny
Edith Evanson	...	Aunt Sigrid

Storyline

The life of a Norwegian immigrant family in 1910 San Francisco centers around Mama and her detailed, pennywise household budget. We follow the Hansens' small joys, sorrows, and aspirations, with the boisterous antics of Uncle Chris as counterpoint.

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Plot Keywords:

immigrant | 1910s | love | writer | turn of the century | 

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Taglines:

You'll just love...MAMA!

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Genres:

Drama | Family

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Norwegian Latin French

Release Date:

17 March 1948 (USA)

Also Known As:

George Stevens' Production of I Remember Mama

Filming Locations:

San Francisco, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$3,068,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

RKO Radio Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

134 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Barbara Bel Geddes, Irene Dunne, and Oskar Homolka recreated their roles on the Lux Radio Theatre on August 30, 1948.

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Goofs

When the aunts are sitting at the table drinking coffee, Jenny is on the right and Sigrid are on the left. After Jenny asks, "Where are the children?" and gets up, she and Sigrid have switched places.

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Quotes

Dr. Johnson: Are you a physician, sir?
Uncle Chris Halverson: I'm a better physician than most doctors!

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Connections

Version of Mama (1949)

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Soundtracks

"Listen to the Mockingbird"
(1855) (uncredited)
Music by Richard Milburn
Whistled by Barbara Bel Geddes

User Reviews

Just Superb

Funny, warm movie about Norwegian family in San Francisco before WW I. How Irene Dunne lost the Oscar to Jane Wyman (Johnny Belinda) is a mystery. Dunne is so totally wonderful in this film--and what a film. Beautifully directed by George Stevens, he captures all the humor and life of this family. Stevens also uses techniques like fore- and background action--there's always several things going on in every scene. He also uses overlapping dialog 20 years before Robert Altman made it fashionable. And what a perfect cast. Irene Dunne (maybe her best performance ever) stars with Barbara Bel Geddes, Oscar Homolka, and Ellen Corby (heartbreaking yet funny as Trina)--all Oscar nominated. Then there is Philip Dorn, Edgar Bergen, Rudy Vallee, Hope Landin, Edith Evanson, Barbara O'Neil, Florence Bates, Cedric Hardwicke, and Steve Brown. The novel by Kathryn Forbes spawned this movie, a play, a TV series, and finally a Broadway musical. At one point Greta Garbo was considered as Mama, and even Marlene Dietrich sought the role. Thank goodness they gave it to Irene Dunne! The aunts as played by Corby, Landin, and Evanson are wonderful. And oh BTW, Homolka lost to Walter Huston for The Treasure of the Sierra Madre, while Corby and Bel Geddes lost to Claire Trevor for Key Largo.