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Emma

Play trailer Poster for Emma Released Jan 2, 1932 1h 13m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 1 Reviews 70% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
Middle-aged housekeeper Emma (Marie Dressler) helps a lonely widower, Ronald Smith (Richard Cromwell) raising his spoiled and over-entitled children. When Smith takes Emma on a vacation, he makes his feelings for her known by proposing marriage. Emma happily accepts, but tragedy strikes when Smith dies of a heart attack shortly after. Emma is devastated, but then must face Smith's children, who suspect she may have been involved in the death of their father.
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Emma

Critics Reviews

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David Nusair Reel Film Reviews ...a passable premise that’s employed to passable effect... Rated: 2.5/4 Oct 14, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Louisa E I absolutely loved Marie Dressler! The plot was really great and emotionally gripping. The ending was lovely, although a bit twisted in a way! It had some enjoyable comedic moments and incredible drama. The acting was pretty good, but Marie is the best by far. 7/10 Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 05/08/23 Full Review Audience Member Marie Dressler is comedic, fussy, and full of enough tics to keep a steady camera jumping with life. Dressler was truly a treasure in early 30s film. She is a woman that takes care of five children for a father whose wife died during childbirth. The children resent her. The father values Emma and asks her to marry. She reluctantly says yes and he dies on their honeymoon which leads to a murder trial. The bratty kids turn on Emma, seeing her inheritance of all of their fathers money as proof she poisoned him. She is despised by those who love her and seen with comedic bent with strangers. There's no going back for Emma or her family, instead a new happiness must be forged. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/08/23 Full Review steve d I thought everything was over done and poorly acted. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member Classic early almost-perfect film for its day. Marie Dressler, at 64, was one of the biggest box office attractions for a few years during this time period. "Emma" was written specifically for her as a starring vehicle where she would be the only lead. The film was a box office sensation in 1932. The film presents another very early Myrna Loy performance, in which she plays against type in the role of a spoiled and selfish daughter. Loy was moving away from the "Oriental" parts she had been saddled with for years. Now she could be who she was and did not have to effect any geographical impersonations. Marie Dressler was to continue her success in Hollywood throughout the 1930s and appeared in several critically-acclaimed films. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/16/23 Full Review Audience Member Marie Dressler is one of those classic Hollywood actresses I've always heard of but never watched any of her films and I have to say I think I've been missing out. She's quiet likable in funny in this film as a nanny/housekeeper for a wealthy family. The youngest is her favorite and the others are all spoiled brats, who she indulges and makes excused for their behavior. Myrna Loy plays one of the bratty kids (well, a a grown brat), which is fun. There's also some funny pre-code racy humor, such as: "Don't be silly, Bill. Storks don't bring babies." "You don't know anything about it." "Don't I?!" Overall, this isn't a classic, but Dressler is terrific and getting to see a young Myrna Loy is always fun. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Dressler is very good but the story is mawkish. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Emma

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Movie Info

Synopsis Middle-aged housekeeper Emma (Marie Dressler) helps a lonely widower, Ronald Smith (Richard Cromwell) raising his spoiled and over-entitled children. When Smith takes Emma on a vacation, he makes his feelings for her known by proposing marriage. Emma happily accepts, but tragedy strikes when Smith dies of a heart attack shortly after. Emma is devastated, but then must face Smith's children, who suspect she may have been involved in the death of their father.
Director
Clarence Brown
Distributor
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jan 2, 1932, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Jun 22, 2009
Runtime
1h 13m
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