"Mama" (1949) TV series 1949-1957

Writers:

Don Ettlinger (writer)
Katrina Ettlinger (writer)

Seasons:

1 | unknown

Release Date:

1 July 1949 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Family | Drama

Plot Keywords:

Partially Lost TV Series

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys.

Cast

Peggy Wood	...	Marta Hansen (1 episode, 1955)
Judson Laire	...	Lars 'Papa' Hansen (1 episode, 1955)
Dick Van Patten	...	Nels Hansen (1 episode, 1955)
Ruth Hammond	...	Miss Jessie (1 episode, 1955)
Marilyn Siegel	...	Edna (1 episode, 1955)
Gigi Gerow	...	Lucille (1 episode, 1955)
Orrin Joels	...	Claud (1 episode, 1955)
Ruth Gates	...	Aunt Jenny (1 episode, 1950)
Lilia Skala	...	Norwegian Operasinger (1 episode, 1950)
Darren McGavin		(1 episode, 1954)
Edmund Gaynes	...	Undetermined Role (1 episode, 1956)

Also Known As:

I Remember Mama

Runtime:

30 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Trivia:

This show was one of the best-loved early TV comedies but unfortunately was broadcast live and the vast majority of the episodes were never recorded. This was a huge financial mistake that would finally dawn on the bean counters at CBS after the success of "I Love Lucy" (1951). CBS (and sponsor Maxwell House Coffee) finally relented to the added cost and the series was committed to film at the very end of production (ironically not enough episodes were filmed to enable profitable rerun syndication). Sadly, while older fans remember this series fondly, most of the heart-warming stories of the Hansens' white house on Steiner Street are lost to posterity.

Quotes:

Katrin Hansen: I remember my brother Nels... and my little sister Dagmar... and of course Papa. But most of all, I remember Mama.

Movie Connections:

Version of I Remember Mama (1948)

I remember "Mama"

I remember watching this TV series frequently as a preteen. But my being so young at the time, and that being so long ago, I recall scant details. What I do remember, due no doubt to repetition, is the "I remember" voice-over sequence that opened each episode. And although the images are vague in my mind, I remember the warm feelings of a close-knit family facing various situations. What I remember most vividly, however, is Peggy Wood as Mama.

I'm heartsick that the bulk of these episodes, like some other favorite pioneering TV series, were never recorded, and therefore -- unless somebody finds a way to recapture ancient transmissions still rattling around in outer space -- will never find their way to DVD.

If anybody still alive who was associated with the series were to write an "I remember" memoir, I'm sure there would be many who would appreciate their documenting an almost forgotten piece of TV history. Perhaps some UCLA film student could take this on as an oral history project.