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Little Women (1933)
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Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
24 November 1933 (USA) morePlot:
Little Women is a "coming of age" drama tracing the lives of four sisters: Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy. During the American Civil War... more | add synopsisAwards:
Won Oscar. Another 2 wins & 3 nominations moreNewsDesk:
(2 articles)
Screen Legend Katharine Hepburn Dies at 96 (From WENN. 30 June 2003)
Screen Legend Katharine Hepburn Dies at 96
(From IMDb News. 29 June 2003)
User Comments:
Nice version of the Alcott story is showing its age... moreCast
(Complete credited cast)| Katharine Hepburn | ... | Jo | |
| Joan Bennett | ... | Amy | |
| Paul Lukas | ... | Prof. Bhaer | |
| Edna May Oliver | ... | Aunt March | |
| Jean Parker | ... | Beth | |
| Frances Dee | ... | Meg | |
| Henry Stephenson | ... | Mr. Laurence | |
| Douglass Montgomery | ... | Laurie | |
| John Lodge | ... | Brooke (as John Davis Lodge) | |
| Spring Byington | ... | Marmee | |
| Samuel S. Hinds | ... | Mr. March (as Samuel Hinds) | |
| Mabel Colcord | ... | Hannah | |
| Marion Ballou | ... | Mrs. Kirke | |
| Nydia Westman | ... | Mamie | |
| Harry Beresford | ... | Doctor Bangs |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parentsRuntime:
115 minCountry:
USAColor:
Black and WhiteAspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 moreSound Mix:
Mono (RCA Victor System)Certification:
UK:U | USA:Approved (PCA #1341-R: 29 August 1935 for re-release) | USA:TV-G (TV rating) | New Zealand:G | Argentina:Atp | Australia:G | Chile:TE | USA:Passed (National Board of Review)Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Louise Closser Hale first performed the role of Aunt March, but after her death on July 26, 1933, in the middle of filming, Edna May Oliver took over the role. moreGoofs:
Audio/visual unsynchronized: In the Christmas play when the prop tower falls down Jo says everything is all right, her lips aren't moving. moreQuotes:
[first lines]Marmee March: So you're going to Washington?
Elderly man: Yes, ma'am; my son is sick in the hospital there.
Marmee March: Oh, this will be an anxious Christmas for you.
Marmee March: [finding him a coat] I think this one will do; let's try this. Is it your only son?
Elderly man: No, ma'am. I had four; two were killed, one is a prisoner.
Marmee March: [deeply moved] You've done a great deal for your country, sir.
Elderly man: Oh, not a mite more than I ought, ma'am. I'd go myself if I was any use. Thank you for the overcoat.
Marmee March: Wait a minute...
Marmee March: [giving him some money] I hope you find him better.
[...]
more
Soundtrack:
Arkansas Traveler moreFAQ
How old are the March sisters at the start of story?Is "Little Women" based on a novel?
What war is Father March off fighting?
more
more
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Movies were still in a primitive stage back in 1933 when "Little Women" was released. Sound was only six years old--and as a result, while the picture is always viewed as a faithful, beloved version of the tale, the truth is it has a soundtrack that is tinny, especially when it comes to reproducing the girlish sounds and squeals of the March sisters--as portrayed by Katharine Hepburn, Frances Dee, Jean Parker and Joan Bennett. The sound distortion is a major flaw.
Their voices are so shrill that it makes listening to the first twenty-five minutes a bit of a strain. Of course, as you sink into the story, and accustom yourself to the poor soundtrack, the film becomes more watchable. But it's definitely one of those films in the early '30s that sounds like a creaky vehicle compared to the more natural sound we have for voices today.
The production is a handsome one and the costumes, sets, props, etc. are all in keeping with the Alcott story. One could have wished for a better Laurie or a more romantic Professor Baer than Paul Lukas. Hepburn gives her all to the role of the tomboy and her early scenes with her sisters show plenty of spunk and warmth. The always welcome Spring Byington makes a good Marmee and Joan Bennett a suitable Amy.
Max Steiner's sprightly theme that sounds like an old-fashioned music box was apparently considered so suitable that MGM used it for their version in 1949.
A quaint film, made even quainter by the primitive early sound. The techncolored candy-box flavor of the 1949 version was quite a contrast, but at least the soundtrack was a more bearable one.