After decades of raising the motherless Smith children, housekeeper Emma Thatcher is faced with resentment when she marries their father.
Acting
Marie Dressler's final performance—Oscar-worthy and devastating
Writing
Frances Marion's sharp pre-code dialogue bites hard
Director
Clarence Brown
Marie Dressler
Emma Thatcher
Richard Cromwell
Ronnie Smith
Jean Hersholt
Frederick Smith
Myrna Loy
Isabelle
John Miljan
District Attorney
Purnell Pratt
Haskins
Leila Bennett
Matilda
Barbara Kent
Gypsy
Kathryn Crawford
Sue
George Meeker
Bill
Dale Fuller
Maid
Wilfred Noy
Drake
André Cheron
Count Pierre
Wade Boteler
Airport Official (uncredited)
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Marie Dressler won Best Actress at the 1931 Oscars and was Hollywood's biggest box office draw when she filmed Emma, dying of cancer at 65 just weeks later.
US
