Inclubabu Plot so thin, it passes unnoticed.

MoPoshy Absolutely brilliant

Maidexpl Entertaining from beginning to end, it maintains the spirit of the franchise while establishing it's own seal with a fun cast

Glucedee It's hard to see any effort in the film. There's no comedy to speak of, no real drama and, worst of all.

JohnHowardReid Producer: Harriet Parsons. Executive producer: George Stevens. Presented by Dore Schary. Copyright 11 March 1948 by RKO Radio Pictures, Inc. New York opening at the Radio City Music Hall: 11 March 1948 (ran six weeks). U.S. release: 17 March 1948. U.K. release: 23 August 1948. Australian release: 20 January 1949. 134 minutes. Cut by RKO to 127 minutes in Australia. SYNOPSIS: A Norwegian family, living very modestly (but not frugally) in San Francisco in the 1910s, struggle to make ends meet.NOTES: Nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Actress, Irene Dunne (lost to Jane Wyman in "Johnny Belinda"); Best Supporting Actor, Oscar Homolka (lost to Walter Huston in "Treasure of the Sierra Madre"); Best Supporting Actress, Ellen Corby (lost to Claire Trevor in "Key Largo"); Best Supporting Actress, Barbara Bel Geddes (lost to Claire Trevor in "Key Largo"); Best Cinematography, Nicholas Musuraca (lost to William Daniels for "The Naked City").Won, Golden Globe Awards, Best Supporting Actress, Ellen Corby!The play opened at the Music Box on 19 October 1944 and ran a colossal 714 performances. Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein produced (it was their first Broadway show) and playwright John Van Druten directed. Mady Christians played Mama, Joan Tetzel was Katrin, Marlon Brando made his Broadway debut as Nels, Oscar Homolka (who married Miss Tetzel in real life) was Uncle Chris. COMMENT: Those often misused adjectives "warm" and "human" could justly be applied to this meticulously realized and irresistible study of a working-class Norwegian family in turn-of-the-century San Francisco. The performances, with the possible exceptions of Barbara Bel Geddes' archly smug ingénue and Oscar Homolka's rather too blustery Uncle Chris, are faultless-especially Irene Dunne's restrained and sensitive portrayal of the lead role, her accent seemingly so natural (not phoney and theatrically forced like John Qualen's) we accept it unquestioningly as her own.The film is slow to get under way, but one is deftly drawn into the action and all our preconceived prejudices against a woman's picture soon melt away under the mastery of George Stevens' ultra-sensitive direction. Only the most mindless churl could possible resist Hardwicke's beautiful readings from "A Tale of Two Cities".

james higgins 90/100. A very heart warming film, wonderfully written and believably done. There is a fine attention to detail and the film has a loving feel of the time. Superb cinematography, good art direction but it is the marvelous cast that makes this film work, as well as George Stevens sensitive direction. Irene Dunne is so perfect in the title role and gives one of her best performances. The movie boasts an amazing supporting cast, Barbara Bel Geddes, Oscar Homolka, Ellen Corby and Edgar Bergen. The scene with the cat is a classic! Bel Geddes, Homolka, Dunne and Corby were all nominated for Oscars, as was the fine black and white cinematography.

wes-connors Wholesome writer Barbara Bel Geddes (as Katrin) reminisces about her humble childhood in early twentieth century San Francisco, growing up in a Norwegian immigrant family led buy a most extraordinary mother - Irene Dunne (as Marta "Mama" Hanson). Writer Kathryn Forbes' classic American family came to life on Broadway, in 1944, and continued with a long-running television series, starring Peggy Wood. My Swedish grandfather always insisted on the Maxwell House coffee advertised on "Mama", even after switching to "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet"...Unfortunately, the film version's sentimentality and length haven't aged well; and, the popular CBS series didn't survive in the "rerun-able" state needed to extend popularity to a new generation. Still, the film is very well-produced and directed (George Stevens); and, Nicholas Musuraca's photography is lovely. Philip Dorn (as "Papa" Lars), Steve Brown (as Nels), Peggy McIntyre (as Christine), and June Hedin (as Dagmar) are a sweet "Hanson" nuclear clan. Oscar Homolka (as Uncle Chris), Edgar Bergen, Ellen Corby (as Aunt Trina), and "Uncle Elizabeth" (as the Family Cat) are remarkable extended family.******* I Remember Mama (3/9/48) George Stevens ~ Irene Dunne, Barbara Bel Geddes, Oscar Homolka, Ellen Corby

tavm The day before Mother's Day, May 11, I had checked this out of my local library to see either the next day or a few after that. It's now a couple of weeks after as well as after Memorial Day that I've just watched one of the most touching depictions of a mom and the way she sacrifices for her family done as well on film as this one as helmed by George Stevens and performed ably as well by Irene Dunne as the matriarch. Also fine was Barbara Bel Geddes as Katrin, Martha's (Dunne's character) oldest daughter and second born child who is seen typing the story and is the narrator throughout. Special mention should also go to Ellen Corby, Edgar Bergen, Rudy Vallee, and especially, Oscar Homolka as Uncle Chris who provides some of the funniest scenes that this mostly dramatic movie encounters as well as the most touching fate of his character. Maybe Tommy Ivo with his reaction to his ailment was a bit much but that's just a minor quibble. Also touching was Martha's visit to her youngest daughter, Dagmar, in the hospital especially when the mother sings and her dealings with that same daughter's cat, Uncle Elizabeth, whose fate turns out much differently than one expects! All in all, this was a very worthy film for all involved and deserved all the Oscar nominations it got.