DVD Review HTF REVIEW: I Remember Mama (RECOMMENDED).

I Remember Mama





Studio: Warner Brothers
Year: 1948
Rated: Not Rated
Film Length: 134 Minutes
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 Standard
Audio: DD Monaural
Color/B&W: B&W
Languages: English
Subtitles: English, French & Spanish
MSRP: $19.97
Package: Single disc/Keepcase





The Feature:
To celebrate the 100th birthday of the late - great director, George Stevens, Warner Brothers is about to release four DVD’s that have never been released to the format. Most notably, the 1939 classic Cary Grant adventure film, Gunga Din will be released as will George Stevens: D-Day to Berlin and George Stevens: A Filmmakers Journey. Also slated for release is the 1948 feature film, I Remember Mama. Unfortunately according to WB, the Gunga Din DVD is held up by manufacturing, so a review of that title will be delayed but will most definitely be forthcoming.

George Stevens’ resumé resembles a who’s who of films from the mid 1930’s up and into the late 1950’s, responsible for the direction of such films as Alice Adams (1935), Gunga Din (1939), Penny Serenade (1941), Woman of the Year (1942), Talk of the Town (1942), Shane (1953), Giant (1956), The Diary of Anne Frank (1959) and one of my personal favorites, A Place in the Sun from 1951. During his long career, he was recognized with five Academy Award nominations for directing which resulted in wins for A Place in the Sun and Giant.

In 1948, RKO was a studio in turmoil. In a transaction that was described the biggest since the Twentieth Century – Fox merger, Howard Hughes had just purchased the studio which prompted a flurry of rumors and innuendo of instability and discord. Many of those who worked for RKO felt their jobs weren’t secure and statements were issued to allay fears of layoffs or closure. Unfortunately, those fears were well founded as Dore Schary quit shortly after the Hughes acquisition due to interference with the new studio head and three-quarters of the studio’s work force was laid off due to production grinding to a sudden halt. Even the studio’s new up and coming number one bad boy, Robert Mitchum wasn’t immune from negative publicity due to his arrest for marijuana possession only a year after being upgraded to the “A” list.

I Remember Mama was loosely based on Kathryn Forbes’ novel centered around her reminiscences of growing up with her Norwegian family in the San Francisco area during the period of 1910. As part of an agreement, it took the studio five years to bring the book to the big screen and in the meantime, Rodgers and Hammerstein (with the help of writer John Van Druten) had produced a successful stage version which helped raise its awareness and status as a film.

The film and its story is a rather simple one which centers around Mama, Martha Hansen (played by Irene Dunne) and is a tender portrayal of the determined housewife who struggles to raise her family with four children. She runs the household and manages what little money there is like a forensic accountant, in a somewhat alien-like atmosphere of San Francisco. Papa Hansen (played by Philip Dorn), is a carpenter who isn't well paid and is on the verge of being on strike.

Katrin (played by Barbara Bel Geddes) is the eldest girl, who, looking back as a writer in her young adulthood, narrates the story of her family in a series of recollections. The youngest girl, Dagmar (played by June Hedin) loves animals and aspires to be a veterinarian, she’s also the subject of a serious medical emergency, which inevitably tests the strength of the family. The eldest child, Nels (played by Steve Brown), is hoped to eventually become a physician, while the middle daughter Christine, (played by Peggy McIntyre) is the stubborn and forthright one.

The story is a drama that is full of comedic infusion, particularly Mama's overbearing but likeable Uncle Chris (played by Oscar Homolka), who originated the role on Broadway. While his gruff and satirical demeanor is lost on the kids, a family secret is what eventually quells their fear of the colorful uncle. Unfortunately, we only learn late in the film how loving and how compassionate a man he truly was. Look for other superb performances from Ellen Corby, Edgar Bergen, Rudy Vallee and Sir Cedric Hardwicke.

Even though the film garnered critical acclaim and was praised as one of the best RKO films in years, it failed to turn a profit at the box office due to its excessive costs. Although it was shutout, the film was nominated for five Academy Awards including, Best Supporting Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress x2 (Corby and Bel Geddes) and Best B&W Cinematography. The film was also the inspiration of the long running CBS TV series entitled Mama which ran from 1949 through 1957 starring Peggy Wood.

The Feature: 4.5/5




Video:
If you were to ask me which studio was responsible for the production of the majority of films I prefer from the period of the late 30’s to the mid 50’s, without question, my response would be RKO. I have virtually every disc that represents almost every (RKO) film released to DVD thus far – including the majority of discs that have been released other than those here in Region One - most of those come from France and Spain. I feel pretty comfortable stating that this disc falls somewhere in the middle in terms of the presentation.

It’s pretty evident that little to no restoration work has been done on this title since there are a significant number of blemishes, scratches as well as dirt and dust debris – bullet marks and all. During the opening scenes there is a heavy amount of light speckle which subsides early on, but is rather persistent throughout the entirety of the film. Image wise, the picture is stable and wasn’t marred by shimmer or jitter.

Something the film does have in common with many of the RKO films of the period is a grayscale that couldn’t be any broader. With that, blacks were jet black and whites were mostly stark – showing only slightly gray at times. The level of contrast and shadow detail was more than acceptable.

The level of image definition was satisfactory. It was rather on the soft side but only occasional instances of terrific sharpness were evident. Again typical of many RKO films and the stock used, there is a significant amount of moderate to heavy film grain present (not excessive), which renders a fine looking film-like image - definitely a film with a grittier or coarser look to it.

Again, I feel the film is about average in terms of others from a similar period, and my grade reflects that. We also have to consider the fact that it is pretty common knowledge that many of the original RKO elements aren’t in the greatest shape.

Video: 3.5/5




Audio:
My comments as they refer to the audio portion of the transfer are similar to those of the video portion, in that “average” is probably the best word to sum things up.

The audio track provided is the original monaural soundtrack and is rather basic. Needless to say, the vast majority of the film is dialogue driven and the range is limited at best. Unfortunately there were signs that the dialogue seemed strained (very slight) but for the most part, dialogue was clear and mostly bold.

Thankfully, the track was clean and free of any hiss or other noisy distractions and the overall tonality of the track sounded natural but did border slightly on the harsher side of the scale.

Beyond the inherent limitations of the track itself, this does what needs to be done – no more, no less.

Audio: 3.5/5




Special Features:
The disc only comes with two supplemental features. First up is:
[*] An Introduction with George Stevens Jr. The son of the legendary director gives us a brief overview of some of his father’s works and a very brief account of the shooting of the film. The introduction is accessible from the main menu or on the special features menu. Duration: 3:06 minutes.
[*] The only other feature is the Theatrical Trailer which is in surprisingly good shape. Duration: 1:48 minutes.

Considering the sentiment of this film and those who were involved in its production, the lack of extras is disappointing. I’m not sure the film is the type that begs for an audio commentary, but at the very least, biographies or even production anecdotes would have been appreciated.

Special Features: 2/5


**Special Features rated for the quality of supplements, not the quantity**



Final Thoughts:
I Remember Mama is a touching and heartwarming story that has indeed stood the test of time. Irene Dunne heads up a fine cast, and offers one of her best performances ever as Mama Hansen in this brilliantly and skillfully crafted film. I suspect a number of viewers will be able to relate and identify as to their family heritage and even if you can’t, I challenge anyone to watch this film for 134 minutes without shedding at least one or two tears.

Beyond a family trying to succeed and flourish leading an almost impoverished lifestyle, the film is a testament of truth, honesty and commitment as well as undivided family love, not so commonplace within today’s society.

The film is wonderful, however, the presentation is average. As for the Stevens’ supplements, I’m afraid you’ll have to seek out the other three December 7th releases if you have a craving. Either way, the film is simply too good not to have among your library of classics.

Overall Rating: 4/5 (not an average)


Recommended.





Release Date: December 7th, 2004

 

Mark... or others, I hope you don’t feel that what I am reporting amounts to being nit picky, particularly in the case of older classics or vintage titles. That’s certainly not my intent. Please know that generally my comments (or even those which appear to be critical or negative) are usually observations, more than criticisms. While I would reserve one or two stars for the usual Alpha or Madacy-like transfer (a crappy port of a VHS or LD or even worse, a cable TV broadcast), I save the fours and fives for transfers similar to the recent Strangers On A Train or a Sunset Boulevard. I’d be inclined to go five + for something like the Casablanca SE or Now, Voyageur, for those truly are exceptions.

I am mostly impressed with the vast majority of vintage titles that have been released by all of the major studios as of late and like you, I too am thrilled to be able to add these to my collection. But I do agree however, it would seem as though many many fans have unrealistic expectations of what or how these films should look, especially considering as Roger points out, these can be picked up for little or nothing.

Herb.