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

In the opening scene all the characters are standing around the kitchen table. Nels has his shirt sleeves rolled up and with each cut the sleeves alternate in the way they're rolled.

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Quotes

Martha 'Mama' Hanson: [heaving a sigh of relief after doing the weekly household account] It's good - we do not have to go to the bank.

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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

Affecting portrayal of family

This film beautifully--and honestly--captures the importance and dignity of family without ever resorting to platitudes or mawkish sentimentality (though there is quite a bit of very truthful and touching sentiment throughout). I am always particularly struck by the sensitive treatment of the climactic episode about the death of Uncle Chris: this truly is one of the best depictions of death in cinema, touching on all the anger, disappointment, humor, regret, etc., that are attendant on the experience of a family member's passing. The cinematography and lighting in this segment of the film are particularly striking, and the sequence is genuinely moving. "I Remember Mama" would be worth watching for this episode alone, but virtually every other element in the film is of the same high caliber.