I Remember Mama1948I Remember Mama
1948
Katrin Hanson, now a writer, remembers growing up in a Norwegian immigrant family in San Francisco around 1910. Mama keeps the household going on Papa's small wages, always reassuring the children that there is money in "the bank" if they need it.
The default: films the whole family can watch together; any scary or intense moments for the littlest viewers are flagged in the Context Notes.
Why it’s here
A wise, sacrificial mother holds her family together with quiet love and a little ingenuity. One of the warmest portraits of motherhood on film.
Context notes
For parents, before you press play.
Mama tells a loving white lie about a bank account so her children will feel secure; the film treats it tenderly, so it's worth talking about. A child's hospital stay, a beloved uncle's death, and a sick cat put under with chloroform may sadden little ones.
I Remember Mama (1948)
Discussion questions
When the credits end, go around the room. Each person gives the film a score out of ten and says why.
- Why did Mama say she had a bank account?
- How did Mama get in to see Dagmar at the hospital?
- What did you think of Uncle Chris?
- What did Katrin learn about her mother?
Content advisory
WebSearch synthesis (Movieguide and others): no foul language or violence; a child's hospital stay, a relative's death, and a cat treated with chloroform.
Trailer
Best edition
The disc comes first.
I Remember Mama Blu-ray (Warner Archive Collection)
Blu-ray · September 24, 2024
Edition link coming soon.
Listing on Blu-ray.com (opens in a new tab)Coming later
Where to stream
Streaming services are not listed yet. When they are, this note stays secondary to the disc.