I Remember Mama (1948)

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

Director:

George Stevens

Writers:

DeWitt Bodeen (screen play), 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:

car | gourmet | immigrant | love | 1910s | 

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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

Jessica Tandy was cast as Aunt Trina, but dropped out to do A Woman's Vengeance (1948).

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Goofs

At the beginning of the film, Katrin writes with her left hand. Later on, she is right-handed.

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Quotes

Dr. Johnson: I'll do the operation myself.
Uncle Chris Halverson: I'll watch.
Dr. Johnson: [exasperated] You will do no such thing, sir!
Uncle Chris Halverson: Always I watch operation. I'm the head of the family.
Dr. Johnson: I allow no-one to attend my operations!
Uncle Chris Halverson: Are so bad?

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Connections

Referenced in George Stevens: The Filmmakers Who Knew Him (2001)

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Soundtracks

Sovnen (Slumber)
(uncredited)
Traditional Norweigan lullaby
Sung by Irene Dunne

User Reviews

Great, just wonderful

This is a classic. The title alone always caused me to not look it up - afraid that it was full of overdone accents and bathos. So, it was laziness, rather than anticipation that caused me not to turn to a different channel when it just came on television.

This is a profound movie - and not because every character is so good or lovable (as I expected). They aren't. However, it has so many truthful moments about families, so much warmth - and so much is going on at any given time that your interest is held very strongly. I was amazed to find tears coming down my face - that just doesn't happen when I watch movies. You're bound to be thinking of your own family growing up.

I can see why the book was celebrated, the play ran forever and this movie was nominated for so many awards. There's no question the play would run forever today - it contains too many moments of truth about family relations for people not to be telling their friends "It's really good - really".

Do see it - it's WAY better than you think - you'll be very moved.