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The Ballad of Little Jo (1993)

6.8
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Ratings: 6.8/10 from 977 users  
Reviews: 23 user | 16 critic

Based on a true story, this is the tale of Josephine Monaghan, a young woman of the mid-19th century who is thrown out of her parents' home after being seduced by the family's portrait ... See full summary »

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Title: The Ballad of Little Jo (1993)

The Ballad of Little Jo (1993) on IMDb 6.8/10

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2 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
Josephine 'Jo' Monaghan
...
Frank Badger
...
Percy Corcoran
David Chung ...
Tinman Wong
...
Mary Addie
...
Streight Hollander
...
Ruth Badger
...
Henry Grey
...
Beatrice Grey
...
Jasper Hill
Olinda Turturro ...
Elvira
Ruth Maleczech ...
Shopkeeper
Jeffrey Andrews ...
Sam
...
Mrs. Addie
Peadair S. Addie Sr. ...
Mr. Addie
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Storyline

Based on a true story, this is the tale of Josephine Monaghan, a young woman of the mid-19th century who is thrown out of her parents' home after being seduced by the family's portrait photographer and giving birth to an illegitimate child. Josephine quickly learns that young, female, pretty, and alone are a bad combination for life in the wild west. In her desperation to survive, Josephine disguises herself as "Jo", a young man, and struggles to make a life for herself in a dingy frontier mining town. Can "Little Jo" live and love without revealing his/her secret? Written by Martin Lewison <lewison@pitt.edu>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Taglines:

In the Wild West, a woman had only two choices. She could be a wife or she could be a whore... Josephine Monaghan chose to be a man.

Genres:

Drama | Romance | Western

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sexuality and some violence | See all certifications »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

20 August 1993 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Ballada o malym Jo  »

Filming Locations:

 »

Box Office

Gross:

$514,451 (USA)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

(Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
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Did You Know?

Goofs

When Little Jo shoots his(her) first wolf, the wolf has a rope tied around his leg and it's being pulled on to make him lie down. See more »

Quotes

P.D. Smith, Ruby City Mortician: Mr. Badger!
Frank Badger: Yeah, what? What the matter?
P.D. Smith, Ruby City Mortician: It's about Little Jo!
Frank Badger: Well, speak up, man! What about him!
P.D. Smith, Ruby City Mortician: He was a woman!
See more »

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User Reviews

 
a little slow, but excellent nonetheless
31 December 2005 | by (Bradenton, Florida) – See all my reviews

This is a non-action-oriented Western about a woman who, for years, masquerades as a man. At the beginning of the film, she is thrown out by her father after she gives birth to an illegitimate child, so she travels west. However, along the way, she is attacked and decides to disguise herself as a guy so she'll be left alone. While this might be seen as a strongly feminist or gay-positive movie (featuring a very alternative lifestyle, indeed), the movie did not seem preachy or agenda-driven. Instead, it is a smart film that takes a very slow and leisurely pace to the ultimate conclusion. I would have preferred the pace and mood to perhaps be a little less somber, but considering how intelligent the film was, I will certainly forgive this.

Particular standouts are Suzy Amis as Jo and Bo Hopkins. I always felt that Hopkins was a bit of a light-weight (particularly considering the parts in the 1970s), but he proves himself to be an excellent actor. It's a real shame neither of these actors got much work after the film debuted--they certainly deserved it.


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