Little Women (1933)

Director:

George Cukor

Writers:

Louisa May Alcott (by)
Sarah Y. Mason (screenplay) ...
(more)

Release Date:

24 November 1933 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Family | Romance

Plot:

Little Women is a "coming of age" drama tracing the lives of four sisters: Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy. During the American Civil War...

Plot Keywords:

American Civil War | Coming Of Age | Love | Neighbor | Proposal

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 3 wins & 3 nominations

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
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Madam Borget	...	Housekeeper (uncredited)
Francesca Braggiotti	...	Dance Teacher (uncredited)
Luke Cosgrave	...	Old Man (uncredited)
Florence Enright	...	Seamstress (uncredited)
Harold Entwistle	...	Laurence's Butler (uncredited)
June Filmer	...	Tina (uncredited)
Bonita Granville	...	Amy's Classmate (uncredited)
Dorothy Gray	...	Girl at Boarding House (uncredited)
Robert 'Buzz' Henry	...	Boy (uncredited)
Virginia Howell	...	War Worker (uncredited)
Olin Howland	...	Mr. Davis (uncredited)
Tony Kales	...	Boy (uncredited)
Marilyn Knowlden	...	Amy's Classmate (uncredited)
Marina Koshetz	...	Flo King (uncredited)
Lily Lodge	...	Lily (uncredited)
Charles Miller	...	Minister (uncredited)
Mary Wallace	...	Boarding House Girl (uncredited)
Howard Wilson	...	Young Man (uncredited)
Shorty Woods	...	Sleigh Driver (uncredited)

Directed by
George Cukor

Writing credits
Louisa May Alcott		(by) (as Louisa M. Alcott)
Sarah Y. Mason		(screenplay) &
Victor Heerman		(screenplay)
Del Andrews		contributing writer (uncredited)
Alfred Block		contributing writer (uncredited)
Charles Brackett		contributing writer (uncredited)
Salisbury Field		contributing writer (uncredited)
David Hempstead		contributing writer (uncredited)
Jane Murfin		contributing writer (uncredited)
G.B. Stern		contributing writer (uncredited)
Wanda Tuchock		contributing writer (uncredited)
John Twist		contributing writer (uncredited)

Produced by
Merian C. Cooper	....	executive producer
Kenneth Macgowan	....	associate producer

Original Music by
Max Steiner

Cinematography by
Henry W. Gerrard		(photographed by) (as Henry Gerrard)

Film Editing by
Jack Kitchin		(edited by)

Art Direction by
Van Nest Polglase

Set Decoration by
Hobe Erwin		(settings)
Ray Moyer		(uncredited)

Costume Design by
Walter Plunkett		(costumes)

Makeup Department
Elmer Armstrong	....	hair stylist (uncredited)
Mel Berns	....	makeup artist (uncredited)
William Ely	....	makeup artist (uncredited)
Jean Woodhall	....	hair stylist (uncredited)

Production Management
Wallace Fox	....	unit manager (uncredited)

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Edward Killy	....	assistant director (uncredited)
John Lodge	....	associate director (unconfirmed) (uncredited)
Mortimer Offner	....	assistant director (uncredited)

Art Department
George Peckham	....	assistant propman (uncredited)
Charles Sayers	....	props (uncredited)

Sound Department
Frank H. Harris	....	recordist
Victor B. Appel	....	recording assistant (uncredited)
George D. Ellis	....	sound recordist (uncredited)
Ellis Fesler	....	recording assistant (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Harry Redmond Jr.	....	special effects (uncredited)
Harry Redmond Sr.	....	special effects (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Ernest Bachrach	....	still photographer (uncredited)
S.H. Barton	....	chief electrician (uncredited)
Tom Clement	....	chief grip (uncredited)
Robert De Grasse	....	second camera (uncredited)
George E. Diskant	....	assistant camera (uncredited)
Mike Fitzgerald	....	grip (uncredited)
Guy Gilman	....	gaffer (uncredited)
Mike Graves	....	assistant grip (uncredited)
J. Merry	....	best boy (uncredited)
John Miehle	....	still photographer (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Eugene Joseff	....	costume jeweller (uncredited)
Emily Perkins	....	wardrobe (uncredited)

Music Department
Bernhard Kaun	....	orchestrator (uncredited)

Other crew
Del Andrews	....	production associate
Eddie Arden	....	double (uncredited)
Francesca Braggiotti	....	instructor: ballroom dancing (uncredited)
Dorothy Dawson	....	production secretary (uncredited)
Gale Evans	....	script clerk (uncredited)
S. Barret McCormick	....	advertising coordinator (uncredited)
Elizabeth McGaffey	....	researcher (uncredited)
Robert Sisk	....	director of advertising and publicity (uncredited)

Production Companies

• RKO Radio Pictures (presents) (as Radio Pictures)

Distributors

• RKO Radio Pictures (1933) (USA) (theatrical)
• Epoca (????) (Argentina) (VHS)
• MGM/CBS Home Video (1981) (USA) (VHS)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (1992) (USA) (VHS)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (1992) (USA) (laserdisc)
• Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) (1960) (USA) (all media)
• Selznick Releasing Organization (TV release)
• Warner Bros. Television (????) (USA) (TV)
• Warner Home Video (2012) (Canada) (DVD) (4 film set)
• Warner Home Video (2001) (USA) (DVD)
• Warner Home Video (2012) (USA) (DVD) (4 film set)

Also Known As:

Runtime:

115 min | Sweden:101 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | German

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Victor System)

Certification:

Argentina:Atp | Australia:G | Chile:TE | USA:Passed (National Board of Review) | UK:U | USA:Approved (PCA #1341-R: 29 August 1935 for re-release) | USA:TV-G (TV rating) | New Zealand:G | Sweden:Btl | USA:Not Rated

Filming Locations:

Lancaster's Lake, Sunland, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

RKO Radio Pictures

Trivia:

The interior of the March's home was actually modeled on the real Massachusetts home of Louisa May Alcott.

Goofs:

Continuity: Position of Jo's legs after falling while fencing changes.

Quotes:

[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.
[...]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Brothers & Sisters: Date Night (#1.5)" (2006)

Soundtrack:

Tramp! Tramp! Tramp! (The Boys Are Marching)

Little Women (1933) - still young and beautiful

Little Women (1933), directed by George Cukor story of March family, four beautiful loving sisters and their Marmee, is an early adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's beloved 1860s classic and certainly one of the best. This is the movie that I believe should be universally loved and praised because it is a cinematic triumph. Everything is perfect in it. The clothes, the hairdos, the sets, cinematography, the musical score by Max Steiner and the brilliant script that brings to life the timeless story -together they take you effortlessly to the Marches' world where you feel their true love and caring for one another, and follow their dreams, theirs hopes, and their heartbreaks. This is the film that made me jealous of the girls who have sisters by showing what treasure the sisters' love is. This is the movie which I want to watch with my Mom during the Mother's day and to tell her how much she means to me. This is the movie with very young, very talented, strong willed, independent, and excellent Katharine Hepburn, perfect as Jo March, the character that Alcott could've written with her in mind. Yes, the film is sentimental, so what? Made 75 years ago, it is young, beautiful, heartwarming, and radiates love, kindness, and goodness.