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IMDb > Little Man, What Now? (1934)

Little Man, What Now? (1934) More at IMDbPro »

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Overview

User Rating:
7.9/10   144 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 32% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
Frank Borzage
Writers:
Hans Fallada (novel)
William Anthony McGuire (writer)
Contact:
View company contact information for Little Man, What Now? on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
1 May 1934 (USA) more
Genre:
Drama more
Plot:
A young couple struggling against poverty must keep their marriage a secret in order for the husband to keep his job, as his boss doesn't like to hire married men. | add synopsis
User Comments:
Ravishing cinematography, lovely story (with a dark edge) more

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)
Margaret Sullavan ... Emma 'Lammchen' Pinneberg
Douglass Montgomery ... Hans Pinneberg
Alan Hale ... Holger Jachman
Catherine Doucet ... Mia Pinneberg
DeWitt Jennings ... Emil Kleinholz
G.P. Huntley ... Herr Heilbutt
Muriel Kirkland ... Marie Kleinholz
Fred Kohler ... Karl Goebbler

Mae Marsh ... Wife of Karl Goebbler
Donald Haines ... Emil Kleinholz Jr.
Christian Rub ... Herr Puttbreese
Alan Mowbray ... Franz Schluter
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Additional Details

Runtime:
91 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Noiseless Recording)

Fun Stuff

Movie Connections:
Version of Kleiner Mann - was nun? (1933) more

FAQ

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7 out of 8 people found the following comment useful:-
Ravishing cinematography, lovely story (with a dark edge), 29 May 2000
10/10
Author: (oliverkneale) from Denton, TX

One of the most heartbreaking, swoon-inducing film experiences I've ever had is 1934's "Little Man, What Now?"

It's about a young couple, with a child, struggling against poverty and a steady stream of bad luck in early 1930's Germany. It's an American film, but at times it almost plays like a piece of European cinema. The atmosphere is thick and the story isn't afraid to drift into areas that are a bit dark (and daring in a pre-code sense). It has a sentimental streak for sure, but the sentiment is never turned on at the expense of intelligence.

Another stand out quality of the film is it's almost painfully gorgeous cinematography. The world of the film is like a dream or like something from a storybook. Sunlight shines against water and trees and grass with a pristine silvery glow. Faces are shown in the most lovely light. Margaret Sullavan, especially, is shot in a way that practically makes you fall in love with her.

This is a true jewel of obscure 1930's cinema, rarely shown and, as of this writing, not available on any home video format. See it the first chance you get. It is a must for the classic movie enthusiast who feels like they've seen everything.

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