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

Was the basis for the last musical ("I Remember Mama"- 1979) that Richard Rodgers wrote, starring Liv Ullmann and George Hearn. The original Broadway production opened on May 31, 1979 at the Majestic Theater and ran for 108 performances.

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Goofs

When Dagmar comes home from the hospital and is holding Uncle Elizabeth and takes the blanket from his face, he has no bandages on his face, but when he jumps from her arms we see several.

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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 The Nanny: I Don't Remember Mama (1994)

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

7 Reasons Why This is A Special Film

Seven reasons why this has always been one of my all-time favorite films:

1) A movie filled with nice, ordinary people you can relate to.

2) The sweetness of Barbara Bel Geddes and her character. She narrates throughout and this story is as much hers as it is "Mama's."

3) The great facial closeups and general cinematography, directed by one of the all-time best, George Stevens.

4) Oscar Homolka's performance as the gruff-but-kindhearted "Uncle Chris"

5) An amazing supporting cast which help make this film so memorable: Ellen Corby, Philip Dorn, Edgar Bergen, Cedric Hardwicke, Hope Landin, Peggy McIntyre, Florence Bates, Steve Brown, Rudy Valley, Tommy Ivo, etc.

6) Some important life lessons in here for all viewers.

7) Nice touches of sentimentality, with the hard-working devoted mother (played stoically-yet-warmly by Irene Dunne) getting her due in the end.