I Remember (Mama's Bank Account by Kathryn Forbes) Mama

[Omaha Steve]

Marta and I both have very fond memories of watching the film when we were both very young. We are watching it this afternoon for the first time in ages. I had forgotten a few things. My Marta is not named after the mother of the film. That mother was Norwegian. My Marta is Danish. Her father's name was Martel. Marta was thought to be a feminine form of his name.

Anyway, in the story we learn that Katrin is about to graduate from middle school. Times are hard for this immigrant family on Larkin Street in San Francisco. Circa the 1910s. Papa is a union carpenter. He is on strike at this time in the story. Very little $ for a graduation at that house.

Sometimes people forget what labor did for common people. Marta was on strike for 3 weeks right after I got my first job in 3 years. I was fired for union organizing in June of 1980. With America suffering the Reagan recession, trouble makers like me had a hard time finding work. Marta and I remember those days too.

OS

[aquart]

1. I did not remember the part about Papa being on strike.

But I do remember my father who had been a union organizer, who had lain down in front of a truck carrying scabs, having to travel out of state to get work, and being gone for long periods of time when I really needed him.

[tonysam]

2. And of course it was a popular live television show

A few episodes at least still exist. Here is a link to the first part of an episode of the series:

link


Robin Morgan played one of the daughters on this series. Yes, THAT Robin Morgan. She looks the same now as she did then but with shorter hair now.

[t0dd]

3. Irene Dunne, as Mama, had a remarkably convincing Norwegian accent. Its a great film.

:)

[Omaha Steve]

4. Kick