Emma (1932)

Director:

Clarence Brown

Writers:

Frances Marion (story)
Leonard Praskins (adaptation)

Release Date:

2 January 1932 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Plot:

When their mother dies, Frederick Smith hires Emma Thatcher to be a nanny to his 3 children. The children...

Plot Keywords:

Nanny | Last Will | Childbirth | Trial | Family Relationships

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar.

Cast

Marie Dressler	...	Emma Thatcher Smith
Richard Cromwell	...	Ronald 'Ronnie' Smith
Jean Hersholt	...	Mr. Frederick 'Fred' Smith
Myrna Loy	...	Countess Isabelle 'Izzy' Smith Marlin
John Miljan	...	District Attorney
Purnell Pratt	...	Mr. Haskins, the Lawyer (as Purnell B. Pratt)
Leila Bennett	...	Matilda, the Maid
Barbara Kent	...	Gypsy Smith
Kathryn Crawford	...	Sue Smith
George Meeker	...	Bill Smith
Dale Fuller	...	Maid at Hotel
Wilfred Noy	...	Drake, the First Butler
André Cheron	...	Count Pierre (as Andre Cheron)

Runtime:

72 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Certification:

Australia:G | USA:Approved

Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Goofs:

Continuity: When Ronnie drives up to the Smith mansion with his dog, the dog can be seen about to follow him out of the car. Ronnie calls the dog, and we see the dog sitting in the back seat as if he hadn't budged and then walking toward him.

Quotes:

Emma: Stop calling me beautiful!

Movie Connections:

Featured in "MGM: When the Lion Roars" (1992)

Soundtrack:

In My Merry Oldsmobile

Superb 30s melodrama

This is one of the rare melodramas from 1930's MGM that is really not outdated as others. It is a funny, but genuinely touching story of a devoted housekeeper (Dressler) who marries her wealthy employer, which does not settle well with his grown children. Dressler is just perfect and the ending is so perfect and bittersweet.