In its first part ,"Emma" is a comedy the highlight of which is the housekeeper's first "flight" ;but in the second part ,the story turns really dramatic .Clarence Brown was the poet of childhood ("the yearling" " National Velvet" ) and in "Emma" ,the children (and even the husband)now in their twenties have remained very childlike.There's a good chemistry between Marie Dressler and Richard Cromwell (who is best remembered as one of the three Bengal lancers in Hathaway's great classic)who calls her affectionately "beauty".The moral may seem a bit reactionary today : a housekeeper must stay a housekeeper ,just like a black servant must stay a black servant in the contemporary " imitation of life" ;but it was the thirties and one of the rules of melodrama .Emma is an endearing character anyway.

This is a totally outstanding film of a woman's devotion as a maid to 4 children, the youngest who adores her and the special relationship they endured, since she held him when his mother died in childbirth.Fast forward to years later when the 4 are now adults, the older 3 really miseries, stuck up to the core as their father (Jean Hersholt) has amassed a fortune.Hersholt marries Emma at the spur of the moment when she is leaving for a much deserved vacation to Niagara Falls. When he dies shortly afterward, the older 3 bring Emma (Marie Dressler at her finest) up on charges of murder. They were greedy and it's basically the same story of greed over-taking all. While Emma is vindicated, her beloved Ronnie dies in a plane crash on his way back to defend her.While the adult children to beg for her forgiveness, in a poignant scene, Emma tells them that she must leave them. Dressler is so convincing here is her comic-dramatic performance. Her scene in the make shift plane is outrageously funny and her final scenes evoke emotions beyond belief.This is certainly a film where one will need a box of tissues. For those who love these kind of films, I heartily recommend 1951's "The Blue Veil," with Jane Wyman and a phenomenal cast. See the film and you'll see somewhat of a connection.

I am shocked that this clunky; poorly acted, filmed and written; mediocre 72-minute film has been given generally 3-1/2 of 4 stars by the critics and in the user comments here. The final 5 or 10 minutes aside, the rest of the movie is not just not good, it is bad. It is an embarrassment in every way. You are in for a big disappointment to see this for the first time after seeing the high critical rating. I am not surprised that one hardly ever hears about this film, that there are virtually no external-newsgroup reviews, and that the user ratings are generally poor (ratings of either 6 or 7 are voted more often than 8 or 9 or 10).The final 5 or 10 minutes were touching/tearful/rewarding, but don't make up for the dull previous hour. This must be a prime example of a film that did not age well. I rarely write film user reviews, but felt compelled to here. It doesn't live up to its build-up.The beginning of the 72-minute movie dragged (the trip to Niagara falls), and the end part (confrontation with the kids, and trial) seemed rushed. I would recommend the movie solely for fans of Marie Dressler, who was nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role. Purnell Pratt (Mr. Haskins, the Lawyer) did a commendable acting job.

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!!!!