Little Women (1933)

A chronicle of the lives of a group of sisters growing up in nineteenth-century America.

Director:

George Cukor

Writers:

Louisa May Alcott (by) (as Louisa M. Alcott), Sarah Y. Mason (screen play)

Stars:

Katharine Hepburn, Joan Bennett, Paul Lukas

Won 1 Oscar. Another 3 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

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

Storyline

Little Women is a "coming of age" drama tracing the lives of four sisters: Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy. During the American Civil War, the girls father is away serving as a minister to the troops. The family, headed by thier beloved Marmee, must struggle to make ends meet, with the help of their kind and wealthy neighbor, Mr. Laurence, and his high spirited grandson Laurie.

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Plot Keywords:

coming of age | strong female lead | strong female character | female protagonist | year 1864 | 

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Taglines:

Here at last on the screen are its smiles, its tears, its soul-stirring beauty. A picture for a mankind-all womanhood-all boys and girls and children. (Print Ad-Woodville Republican, ((Woodvile, Miss.)) 28 April 1934)

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Genres:

Drama | Family | Romance

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Harry Beresford is the only actor born before the novel was published

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Goofs

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

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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 ...
[...]

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Alternate Versions

Older video and television prints remove the original RKO logo in the opening and replace it with the one from Selznick International.

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Connections

Version of Little Women (1958)

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Soundtracks

The Last Rose of Summer
(uncredited)
Traditional Irish melodies
Hummed by Frances Dee

User Reviews

Flawed, but still worth watching.

In fanfiction there is the phenomenon called the "Mary Sue"--a character who is an (idealized) version of the author who is inserted into the story to act out the author's fantasy. The original Mary Sue was in a Star Trek fanfiction where Ensign Mary Sue was braver than Kirk, smarter than Spock, more compassionate than McCoy, etc. who is able to save the day when nobody else can.

What has this, I hear you ask, to do with 'Little Women'? I think that all the March girls, but especially Jo, are somewhat Mary Sues to Louisa May Alcott. They are just too perfect. Especially Beth. Oscar Wilde said of Dickens' Little Nell that it would take a heart of stone not to laugh out loud reading her death scene; the same remark could apply to Beth. And Marmee is just to saintly and patient to be believed.

Still, in spite of it all, the film was worth watching, especially to see the young Kate Hepburn. I especially appreciate the time when she was asked when she would grow up and act like a proper lady, and she replied, "Never! Even when I'm old and walk with a cane!" (Or something to that effect.) Highly prophetic, as that was exactly how Kate lived.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English German

Release Date:

24 November 1933 (USA)

Also Known As:

Little Women

Filming Locations:

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

Box Office

Budget:

$424,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

RKO Radio Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

115 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Victor System)

Color:

Black and White (hand-colored)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1