I Remember Mama

I Remember Mama
by George Stevens

List Price: ~~$19.98~~
Our Price: $14.99
You Save: $4.99 (25%)
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Buy Used: from $10.09 (click here)
Category: DVD
See more DVD details

Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada

DVD details

Actor: Barbara Bel Geddes, Cedric Hardwicke, Irene Dunne, Oskar Homolka, Philip Dorn
Director: George Stevens
Brand: Warner Brothers
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language); Norwegian (Original Language); English (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled)
Format: Black & White, Closed-captioned, Dolby, DVD-Video, NTSC, Subtitled
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 134 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2004-12-07
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Warner Home Video

DVD Reviews of I Remember Mama

DVD Review: Dunne and Stevens Soar in a Vintage Remembrance of the Early 20th-Century Immigrant Experience
Summary: 5 Stars

There are two key reasons to watch this sentimental yet emotionally involving 1948 immigrant family saga today. The first is George Stevens' assured direction, his first post-WWII film and a palpable sign of his wartime experiences that portends his deepening sense of character in dramas like A Place in the Sun and Shane after his years of breezy comedies and musicals. The second is star Irene Dunne, who caps her impressively versatile screen career with a performance of unforced warmth and uncommon depth. With no make-up and sporting a convincing Norwegian accent, she provides the film's heart and emotional anchor as Mama.

The framing device for the story is the recently completed manuscript by Katrin Hanson which she reads out loud while reminiscing about her Norwegian family in San Francisco circa 1910. A family of six living on hilly Larkin Street, the Hansons maintain their core family unit despite a lot of hardships and eccentric relatives. While father Lars toils as a carpenter to support his family, Katrin's memories inevitably revolve around her stoic mother Martha, who consistently shows the courage of her convictions. When spinsterish Aunt Trina decides to marry a milquetoast pharmacist, it is Martha who must get consensus from her intolerant sisters Jenny and Sigrid as well as Uncle Chris, a black-sheep blowhard who acts as the family patriarch. When Katrin's baby sister Dagmar goes to the hospital overnight, it is Martha who disguises herself as a charwoman to be able to stay with her. And when Katrin becomes discouraged enough to give up her writing aspirations, it is again Martha who finagles her way to meeting a famous author and convincing her to read one of Katrin's short stories.

Beyond Dunne's exemplary work, there is a sturdy supporting cast to consider - Oscar Homolka bringing the requisite bluster to Uncle Chris, Ellen Corby in her only first-rate screen role as timid Aunt Trina, and at 25, Barbara Bel Geddes conveying convincing adolescent innocence as Katrin. DeWitt Bodeen's screenplay captures the episodic nature of the real Katrin Forbes' remembrance and one can assume of John Van Druten's Broadway play. It should be noted that without Stevens and Dunne, the film would surely feel far more interminable at its 134-minute running length. The 2004 DVD is sparse on extras offering only a three-minute introduction from George Stevens Jr. and the original theatrical trailer.

DVD Review: "We don't have to go to the bank"
Summary: 5 Stars

Wholesome does not have to be a sign of dowdy or boring. This is a classic that our family loves. The quirks of the aunts and uncles, the sibling rivalry, the real-life home scenes... we just laugh and cry with this movie.

DVD Review: Good Family Movie
Summary: 5 Stars

I bought this movie because it demonstrates the family values as well as society values that are missing in todays environment. It demonstrates the hardships and struggles the immigrants had during their early years in this country. It has comedy, great characterzation, excellent acting and a good story. It's a long movie, but I didn't realize how long until it was over. I showed it to my sisters and neighbors and they all enjoyed it. No violence or inappropriate language yet it holds the viewer's interest. I saw this movie on TMC and decided to buy it so I could show it to others who may not have the opportunity to see this type of movie. I recommend it highly for a different type of movie. I also remember the TV show that spawned from this movie. Yes I'm that old, but I also like the movies of today. This is just different and refreshing.

DVD Review: very poor quality
Summary: 2 Stars

I was very disappointed with both the visual and audio quality of this DVD. It was startling to see the difference between the intro by Stevens's son and the main film. It appears that no effort was made to find a good quality print, let alone do a restoration. The extras are pitiful and would lead one to think that Irene Dunne had no long history of film roles behind her (which she had) or that Barbara Bel Geddes had no future after this film (which she did). And what of the stage play? Did I see a glimpse of Marlon Brando in that hastily shown photo (this play was his stage debut). And what of Oscar Homolka's role in the play and the film? He was brilliant. Rudy Vallee was also a standout and an oveview of his film career would have been a worthwhile addition. It's a shame that the people who issue these oldie goldies aren't aware that a lot of us weren't even born until many, many decades later and that we want/need all that "filler' information. A history of the play, a history of the players, as well as a bit of social commentary on the times depicted would greatly aid in the appreciation of this film. Without proper context it seemed syrupy and manipulative. I hope one day it will be reissued with extras and a sharper picture and clearer audio (I needed captions to follow the first quarter of this film). This version smacked of Madacy or Front Row rather than a studio release. Don't buy this until a better version comes out.

DVD Review: I Remember Mama
Summary: 5 Stars

I watched this movie with my 17 year old daughter. We both found it very touching and relevant even though it is dated. Irene Dunne is wonderful as the Mama.

Description of I Remember Mama

A touching drama about a norwegian immigrant family struggling to survive in early 20th century san francisco. Studio: Turner Hm Entertainm Release Date: 12/07/2004 Starring: Barbara Bel Geddes Ellen Corby Run time: 134 minutes

This high point in the 1940s vogue for movies about family life at the turn of the century was directed by George Stevens (Shane), and stars Irene Dunne as the matriarch of a Norwegian family that faces hard knocks with grace in 1910 (or so) San Francisco. Based on John Van Druten's hit play (derived from Kathryn Forbes's autobiographical memoir), the film is gorgeously rendered and quite moving as an act of memory. The sterling cast of character actors--Edgar Bergen, Rudy Vallee, Oscar Homolka, Barbara Bel Geddes, Ellen Corby, Cedric Hardwicke--add great texture and a depth of experience that make the film feel quite lived-in. Hardwicke's turn as a penniless boarder who "pays" his rent by reciting from classic literature is a special highlight. --Tom Keogh

General DVDs

DVD Video

Bestsellers in General DVDs

Role Models
Universal; Release date: 2009-03-10; DVD
Best price: $12.98
Price in other shops: ~~$29.98~~

Jeff Dunham: Spark of Insanity
DUNHAM,JEFF; Release date: 2007-09-18; DVD
Best price: $7.89
Price in other shops: ~~$14.99~~

Enchanted April
Release date: 2009-05-05; DVD
Best price: $19.98
Price in other shops: ~~$29.99~~

Last Chance Harvey
Release date: 2009-05-05; DVD
Best price: $10.93
Price in other shops: ~~$29.98~~

Hotel for Dogs (Widescreen Edition)
Paramount; Release date: 2009-04-28; DVD
Best price: $8.99
Price in other shops: ~~$29.99~~

Beverly Hills Chihuahua
Release date: 2009-03-03; DVD
Best price: $10.99
Price in other shops: ~~$29.99~~

Bedtime Stories
Release date: 2009-04-07; DVD
Best price: $7.89
Price in other shops: ~~$29.99~~

Bride Wars
Twentieth Century Fox; Release date: 2009-04-28; DVD
Best price: $8.80
Price in other shops: ~~$29.98~~

Bolt (Single-Disc Edition)
Release date: 2009-03-24; DVD
Best price: $10.49
Price in other shops: ~~$29.99~~

Marley and Me (Single-Disc Edition)
Twentieth Century Fox; Release date: 2009-03-31; DVD
Best price: $10.55
Price in other shops: ~~$29.98~~

Similar DVDs, VHS Video, Audio CDs

The Bishop's Wife
GRANT,CARY; Release date: 2001-03-06; DVD
Best price: $4.00
Price in other shops: ~~$14.98~~

Cheaper by the Dozen (1950) / Belles on Their Toes
Twentieth Century Fox; Release date: 2004-08-03; DVD
Best price: $14.59
Price in other shops: ~~$22.97~~

Belles on Their Toes
Twentieth Century Fox; Release date: 2004-03-16; DVD
Best price: $7.87
Price in other shops: ~~$14.98~~

How Green Was My Valley
Release date: 2003-01-14; DVD
Best price: $5.75
Price in other shops: ~~$14.98~~

The Ghost and Mrs. Muir
Twentieth Century Fox; Release date: 2003-04-01; DVD
Best price: $8.54
Price in other shops: ~~$14.98~~

Mrs. Miniver
Warner Brothers; Release date: 2004-02-03; DVD
Best price: $8.93
Price in other shops: ~~$19.98~~

Since You Went Away
TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX HOME ENT; Release date: 2004-10-19; DVD
Best price: $4.49
Price in other shops: ~~$14.98~~

Mama's Bank Account (Harvest/ HBJ Book)
by Kathryn Forbes
Harvest Books; Published: 1968-03-20; Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.20
Price in other shops: ~~$11.00~~