It's no definitive masterpiece but it's damn close.

Good movie, but best of all time? Hardly . . .

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

The movie's not perfect, but it sticks the landing of its message. It was engaging - thrilling at times - and I personally thought it was a great time.

I recall an old friend telling me of this thoughtful film years ago. At the time I had little interest in early talkies so made no attempt to see it. Even though, at that time I was watching and enjoyed several vintage gems on TV, it was not until that same dear friend screened several classic's (on 'film' in his home thr) for me, that I came to fully appreciate the importance and power of strong writing, combined with professional craftsmanship, as a serious art form in film making. I imagine many folk today may still not know how to look at a movie like "Emma" ~ even I was wondering if it would sustain me to the end. While I might have edited a short sequence from early on, I soon found myself being drawn in...the striking mobile camera shots, the subtle controlled direction, the changing moods of a well written story. This films young photographer, Oliver T. Marsh ('San Fransisco' '36 ~ A Tale of Two Cities' '36) seemed to work so well with the great humanities director Clarence Brown, each bring such rich imagery to a variety of diverse moods within some unexpected situations. Such a pity this superb image maker was lost to us at just 49 yrs of age - seemingly to the demon booze - more wasted talent!For those who know (or have yet to learn) how to 'read' vintage classics and don't give up too soon, this could prove rewarding. BUT, let yourself run with the varied emotions as situations alter. While this may not be known as one of Clarence Brown's major works, it is never the less, a fine one. Besides, how often do we see an overweight, aging matronly female, as the main 'star' (not easy to sell to the 'glamour' generation) she plays a character who gives unconditional, selfless commitment to her charges (even harder to sell to the 'me' generation). Award winning silent star Marie Dressler manages to convince all the way and gets good support from various troopers of the day, like youngster, Richard Cromwell (the DiCaprio of his day) playing her employers last born son and aviation enthusiast 'Ronnie', Jean Hershold as her gentle inventor employer, with a strong portrayal from John Miljan as the committed District Attorney. In the background is truly glamorous star-to-be, Myrna Loy, not yet in her top billing professional form. It's pleasing to see TCM being more generous with adding some surprisingly long missing pioneering gems!. Keep em' coming please. KenR................

I saw "Emma" as a child over 50 years ago. I only remembered three scenes in it and never knew the names of the stars or the name of the film, for that matter. Thanks to IMDb, I was able to go on one of the message boards and find out the name of the film and that the star "who was a Marie Dressler type" as I recalled was indeed Marie Dressler (what instincts I had, even in childhood). I was just able to actually see the film on TCM. I'd love to know why it is we remember certain phrases and scenes growing up - the parts I remembered in "Emma" were exactly as I recalled them."Emma" is the story of a housekeeper who cares for a motherless family, actually raising the youngest, Ronnie (Richard Cromwell) when his mother dies in childbirth. The entire family is very dependent upon her. Mr. Smith (Jean Hersholt) over the years becomes very wealthy as an inventor, so his kids grow up in wealth and, with the exception of Ronnie, become horrific, ungrateful brats. Emma, of course, thinks they're wonderful and is blind to their faults. When Emma leaves for her first vacation, Mr. Smith accompanies her to the station, buys an extra ticket for Niagara Falls and proposes. The two enjoy their time there, but it's to be their only time as man and wife. Mr. Smith's chronically bad heart gives out, and he dies. All of his money is left to Emma with the proviso that she take care of the children, who would squander every cent unsupervised. The children (Myrna Loy, Kathryn Crawford and George Meeker) assume Emma is going to take all of the money for herself. To break the will, they accuse her of murdering their father. Emma is put on trial for murder. Ronnie is away in the wilds of Canada and doesn't learn about this until the trial is underway.This is such a sweet story, buoyed by the magnificent performance of Marie Dressler. What an actress! Warm, strong and honest, she pulls at your heart. The very handsome Richard Cromwell, Angela Lansbury's first husband, is the adorable and adored Ronnie, and he gives an energetic performance. Cromwell had an interesting life. Not only did he enjoy some years as an actor in A productions, but he was a successful artist his entire life. Eventually, he opened his own studio. After years out of films, he was scheduled to make one, but withdrew when he was diagnosed with cancer. Jean Hersholt is excellent as Mr. Smith. Myrna Loy as one of the brat kids is absolutely stunning, though she doesn't have much to do except to act stuck-up.Highly recommended. Any movie that can stay in your mind and heart for over 50 years has something going for it. Emma had several things, the best being Marie Dressler.

I don't think that I could ever fully explain how wonderful this movie is, since it is just SOOO good. I caught it on Turner Classic Movies last year, and I've been dying to see it since then, but it isn't on DVD or VHS so I''m out of luck. (If anyone runs into a copy PLEASE post on IMDb!) The last post really covered the basic plot. Marie Dressler as Emma is the sweetest, most darling character to ever appear on the screen. She cares for these kids from when they are born to when they are in their twenties and thirties, loving them as if they were her own. Btw, you can catch Myrna Loy in an early non-exotic film role as one of the kids! Equally amazing is Jean Hersholt's performance as the dad. This is the only performance of his that I have ever seen, and anyone who wonders what the Hollywood humanitarian's acting talents looked like should definitely see this movie. It's very interesting that they give out an Academy award in his honor, but they don't have any of his films widely available.If I could pick just five movies in the universe to recommend, this would undoubtedly be one of them. (Primrose Path w/ Ginger Rogers, The Man with the Golden arm w/Frank Sinatra, Easy Rider, and Stage Fright w/Jane Wyman would be the other four== and they were VERY hard to pick just five!!) So next time it's on TV, make sure you watch it!

This was an outstanding movie and Marie Dressler was at her best, as usual!!!! This was slightly different from other Dressler roles because this was more of a dramatic role, rather than her usual brand of comedy, although she does have comedic scenes within the movie.She has so much depth to her role as Emma, the housekeeper (and nanny), and one can actually feel the joys and happiness when she's working with the family, as well as the pain, suffering, and sorrow she feels when her husband (played by Jean Hersholt) passes away. The scene that really got me the most, though, was right after inheriting her husband's money, his grown children turned on her. (These are the same children whom she looked after from their childhoods.) After demanding they leave the house, Emma begins to feel saddened by seeing visions of these young children she helped to raise from infancy. That scene really got to me. I felt her pain, wondering "How could these children grow up and turn on her like that?" And when her beloved step-son, Ronnie, died, that was really the clincher! I basically predicted THAT would happen but, nonetheless, I could still feel her pain.When watching this movie, grab your popcorn AND a box of Kleenex, because you will need them!!!!