Mama (1949–1957) User Reviews

This Brings Much Nostalgia

[ccthemovieman-1 · 9/10 · 8 April 2007]

This is one of the first television shows I remember watching as a young kid and was a big reason when I started collecting films that "I Remember Mama" starring Irene Dunne was so special to me.

Peggy Wood may not be Irene Dunne but I do remember her fondly as the lead character in here. My feelings on this show are exactly the same as those written here by "DVD- TCMjunkie." I couldn't express any differently that this reviewer did. I, too, would give anything to see these old episodes again, especially since I have seen the movie a dozen times and read the book, "Mama's Bank Account."

It would be interesting to see how these actors played all the roles. Being that is was a well-received, wholesome TV show, I wouldn't have any qualms how they would handle the various characters.

As you can see reading the full cast, some famous actors contributed to this TV show. This is heartwarming, tender, wonderful family drama in the early years of television. Boy, I almost get tears in my eyes thinking about this. I hope that doesn't sound too corny.

The best coffee

[schappe1 · 7/10 · 9 February 2008]

I was born in 1953 and too young to remember this show but I've read about it and have seen the 1948 movie. I finally got to see an episode as part of the DVD collection "Classic Television" offered by PBS, which has "Queen of the Bee".

This was a warm, nostalgic family comedy that occupied the place in the hearts of audiences in the 1950's that The Waltons would a generation later, (Ironically, Grandma Walton, Ellen Corby, played an aunt in the 1948 film I Remember Mama upon which this was based). Peggy Wood, who would play the Mother Superior, ("Climb Every Mountain"), in 1965's "The Sound of Music", takes over for Irene Dunne, who played Mama in the film. Dick Van Patten, who years later would be the patriarch of his own TV family on Eight is Enough is the son. There are two daughters, the youngest of which, Dagmar, is played by Robin Morgan, later a President of NOW and editor of Ms. Magazine.

I don't know how liberated Mama is but she's the cornerstone of the family here. Dagmar is in a spelling bee and Edward Andrews, playing the father of one of the other participants, goads him into betting the insurance money on his daughter to win. She loses but Andrews son is then found to have cheated so all ends well.

I can't find the date of this episode, (it's not listed in Andrews credits but that's clearly him). One source says "1952" but at the beginning of the show they show an award Maxwell House won for the best coffee of 1949. Unless they weren't the best coffee of 1950 or 1951, I'll bet this show was broadcast in one of those years.

I remember "Mama"

[HallmarkMovieBuff · 24 December 2006]

I remember watching this TV series frequently as a preteen. But my being so young at the time, and that being so long ago, I recall scant details. What I do remember, due no doubt to repetition, is the "I remember" voice-over sequence that opened each episode. And although the images are vague in my mind, I remember the warm feelings of a close-knit family facing various situations. What I remember most vividly, however, is Peggy Wood as Mama.

I'm heartsick that the bulk of these episodes, like some other favorite pioneering TV series, were never recorded, and therefore -- unless somebody finds a way to recapture ancient transmissions still rattling around in outer space -- will never find their way to DVD.

If anybody still alive who was associated with the series were to write an "I remember" memoir, I'm sure there would be many who would appreciate their documenting an almost forgotten piece of TV history. Perhaps some UCLA film student could take this on as an oral history project.

Update: I suppose with the death of Dick Van Patten on June 23, 2015, that hope is dashed. R.I.P. "Nels."

A Truly Necessary Part Of Every Friday In Our household

[redryan64 · 10/10 · 17 May 2014]

THIS WAS A REGULAR part of the Ryan household and weekly schedule. It was grocery shopping at the local A & P and Hi-Low for the folks, then it was MAMA. At the time there were a lot of things that we didn't know. Where was San Francisco? Was Norway a State? Why was "T.R." a nickname for the Ryan boy next door? Ah, how wonderful it was to have a character on a favourite TV show with our family name! (Oh, by the way, "T.R." was short for Theodopre Roosevelt Ryan, in case there's a quiz!)

WHAT WAS ACCOMPLISHED by this early television comedy/drama easily equaled or surpassed so many different series that were to come. The combination of the writing, live television direction and a real yeoman's job by a cast of actors who are, for the most part, unknown today.

OTHER THAN THE roles of Mama (Peggy Wood) and big brother Nels (Dick Van Patten) the rest of the cast would be quite unfamiliar to most anyone today. Nonetheless, Papa (Judson Laire), older Sister, Katrin (Rosemary Rice), younger Sister, Dagmar (Robin Morgan), Aunt Jenny-pronounced 'Yenny' (Ruth Gates) and neighbor boy T.R. Ryan (Kevin Coughlin) all put in the most memorable portrayals of their lives; lasting all these years.

THE SERIES, WHICH had originated as a stage-play, had also been filmed for the big screen in its original title of I REMEMBER MAMA (1948). Featuring a fine cast, led by Irene Dunne, Oscar Homolka, Barbara Bel Geddes, Sir Cedric Hardwicke and Edgar Bergen (without Charlie McCarthy), it was probably the top production for its studio, RKO Radio Pictures, that year.

THE STORY TOLD of the trials and tribulations of a family of immigrants from Norway and their efforts to adjust to life in Big City, USA (San Francisco), circa 1900. It was surely a big hit with all; but particularly with those of us who had family in such similar circumstance. Well, our own Mother's folks came here before World War I as poor German immigrants from Austria; so you know that we had a great affinity for MAMA.

Greatest family show ever made

[ivan-22 · 9 February 2000]

They really don't make them like this anymore! The acting is of theater caliber, even small characters are played by superb actors. The writing as masterful, witty, charming, well-structured. There is no canned laughter or vulgarity of any sort. The great tenderness and wisdom of this show must be cherished and must never be forgotten.