Emma, the pearl
| Movie | |
|---|---|
| German title | Emma, the pearl |
| Original title | Emma |
| Country of production | United States |
| original language | English |
| Publishing year | 1932 |
| length | 72 minutes |
| Rod | |
| Director | Clarence Brown |
| script |
Leonard Praskins Zelda Sears |
| production | Clarence Brown Harry Rapf for MGM |
| camera | Oliver T. Marsh |
| cut | William LeVanway |
| occupation | |
| |
Emma the Pearl (OT: Emma ) is an American film drama with comedic undertones from 1932 with Marie Dressler in the lead role. The screenplay is based on a story by Frances Marion and directed by Clarence Brown .
action
After the wife of the inventor Frederick Smith dies giving birth to their fourth child, the domestic worker Emma looks after the children. After 20 years, the Smith family has grown prosperous through their father's patents. The youngest son Ronnie comes home from college and announces that he wants to leave school to become a pilot. Ronnie is Emma's darling, but she also loves the other kids, Bill, Gypsy and Isabelle, who have turned into spoiled snobs. Emma repeatedly apologizes for the children's behavior in front of others and also in front of the father. Emma goes on vacation for the first time in 23 years. The somewhat distracted Frederick sadly drives her to the station. Emma becomes concerned and doesn't want to leave the family alone, but Frederick insists that she go on vacation. If necessary, he would accompany her to Niagara Falls. While still at the train station, Frederick makes a marriage proposal to Emma, which she accepts, despite her fear of the gossip in town.
The children's reaction is divided. Ronnie is happy, while the other three are dismayed by the choice of their father. During their honeymoon, the couple is harassed by other young holidaymakers while rowing on a lake. The excitement triggers a mild heart attack in Frederick, from which he dies soon after. Frederick left everything to his wife Emma. Emma wants to give the children back the money. Nevertheless, the children, with the exception of Ronnie, want to challenge their father's last will. Emma throws the three out of the house and awaits the trial before the inheritance court. Ronnie travels to Canada to work as a pilot.
The challenge of the will fails. Bill, Gypsy and Isabelle are now charging Emma with the murder of their father. A twisted statement by the maid Mathilda serves as evidence. When Ronnie learns of the charges, he immediately flies east to assist Emma. But he is killed in a crash. Emma is acquitted with the help of attorney Haskins. But when she learns of Ronnie's death, her world collapses. A short time later she gives the three other children the money in the hope that they will think better of her now. After identifying Ronnie's body, Bill, Gypsy, and Isabell beg Emma's forgiveness. They ask her to stay, but Emma tells them their job is done. But wherever they were, they would always belong together. Emma takes on a new job with a large family of doctors. She is touched that her suggestion that the newborn should be called Ronnie is accepted.
criticism
Mordaunt Hall of the New York Times praised Marie Dressler for delivering a portrait of the highest quality. Although the story is sentimental and somewhat implausible, there is no disinterest as soon as Ms. Dressler appears on the screen.
Variety was of a similar opinion. The whole story is artificial, sometimes clever, but often not worked intelligently enough. But there is Marie Dressler, a mime with a sense for comic characters with profound pathos.
Awards
At the 1932 Academy Awards , Marie Dressler was nominated for an Oscar in the Best Actress category.
Theatrical release
The premiere took place on January 2, 1932. With an estimated budget of $ 350,000, he grossed $ 1,409,000 in the US, with an additional $ 563,000 coming from overseas markets. With a total income of 1,975,000 US dollars, the studio was able to realize the immense profit of 898,000 US dollars in the end.
Web links
- Emma, the pearl in the Internet Movie Database (English)