![]() Acceptance and approval of marriage partners were important to immigrant families. ![]() Trina fears her sisters will disapprove of her choice of the mousey man “from der funeral parlor.” As expected, the two laugh when they hear the news. Trina is easily intimidated and calls on Marta to break the news to their sisters Sigrid and Jenny. One of Marta’s sisters, Trina, arrives to announce that she’s marrying Peter Thorkelson, an undertaker. We soon learn that the Hanson’s have an extended family in the area. When Nels, the oldest child, announces he wants to attend high school, each family member offers to sacrifice a bit to help with the costs. It’s a family affair with the father and children taking part. As Katrin begins to reminisce, we are taken back to 1910 where Mama is preparing the weekly budget. The movie begins with the family’s oldest daughter Katrin putting the final touches on her autobiographical story about growing up in what for many observers would be a less than remarkable family. If this movie teaches us anything, it’s that high standards, faithfulness, commitment to principle, self-sacrifice, love, tenacity, forgiveness, and everyday parental involvement with our children in the end will make good families. After watching this moving drama of a struggling, hardworking immigrant family from Norway, you will really believe that such families actually existed, and that it’s possible that they can exist again. Modern-day San Francisco is the philosophical center of familial redefinition incorporating everything from Heather Has Two Mommies and Daddy’s Roommate to One Dad, Two Dads, Brown Dad, Blue Dad, and Who’s in a Family? I REMEMBER MAMA is the antithesis of the dysfunctional families portrayed as the normal families in so many of today’s movies, books and television shows. The irony of the setting should not be missed. The setting begins in 1910 San Francisco. The movie is based on the memoir MAMA’S BANK ACCOUNT, by Kathryn Forbes. I REMEMBER MAMA is the classic 1948 movie directed by George Stevens about a Norwegian family in 1910 San Francisco and the mother, who holds them together, played by Irene Dunne in one of her best roles. Best of all, I REMEMBER MAMA is a salute to motherhood that also shows family is the bedrock of civilization. Both received Oscar nominations, as did Ellen Corby of THE WALTONS, who plays Aunt Trina. Barbara Bel Geddes excels as the narrator and storyteller, Katrin. Irene Dunne gives perhaps her best performance. ![]() ![]() I REMEMBER MAMA is a beautifully crafted family drama with humor and many poignant moments. The movie portrays everyday family happenings, including a shy relative’s marriage, the mother singing a lullaby to a sick child in the hospital, and Katrin trying to get her writing published. As Katrin begins to reminisce, viewers are taken back to 1910 where Mama is preparing the weekly budget, surrounded by the father and children. The movie begins with the oldest daughter, Katrin, putting the final touches on her autobiographical story about growing up in an immigrant family.
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