A boy learns to deal with the loss of his mother and the subsequent mourning of his father through the wisdom of the family's Chinese cook.A boy learns to deal with the loss of his mother and the subsequent mourning of his father through the wisdom of the family's Chinese cook.A boy learns to deal with the loss of his mother and the subsequent mourning of his father through the wisdom of the family's Chinese cook.
Jackie 'Butch' Jenkins
- Little Jim Tukker
- (as Butch Jenkins)
Jean Vanderwilt
- Mary
- (as Jean Van)
Wong Artarne
- Chinese Clerk
- (uncredited)
Charles Bates
- Neighbor Boy
- (uncredited)
Doris Chan
- Chinese Girl
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThis film's television premiere took place in Los Angeles Friday 19 July 1957 on KTTV (Channel 11); it first aired in Philadelphia 19 August 1957 on WFIL (Channel 6), in Hartford CT 2 September 1957 on WHCT (Channel 18), in Honolulu 27 October 1957 on KHVH (Channel 13), in Phoenix 3 November 1957 on KPHO (Channel 5), in Lubbock TX 15 November 1957 on KCBD (Channel 11), in Norfolk VA 29 November 1957 on WTAR (Channel 3), in Spokane 11 December 1957 on KHQ (Channel 6), in San Francisco 14 February 1958 on KGO (Channel 7) , in Chicago 2 March 1958 on WBBM (Channel 2), and in Seattle 18 April 1958 on KING (Channel 5); Little Jim finally made his way to New York City 16 June 1961 on WCBS (Channel 2).
- GoofsAt the beginning of the film, Big Jim calls over a First Sergeant. His stripes are incorrect for that rank as he is missing the third "down" stripe. The diamond in the center is correct, however.
- ConnectionsReferenced in Forecast (1945)
Featured review
Seven-year old Jackie "Butch'' Jenkins (as "Little Jim" Tukker) and his cute dog "Wolf" are missing. Stationed in a wealthy military town, handsome father James Craig (as "Big Jim" Tukker) gets fellow officers to help search for his son. Uncommonly cheerful Chinese servant Ching Wah Lee (as Sui Jen) is frantic. Pretty wife Frances Gifford (as Jean) finds young Jenkins and the family returns to thinking about a "coming bundle from Heaven." Before the blessed event, Jenkins celebrates his eighth birthday. At his birthday party, the lucky tyke greedily gets more gifts than most kids get at Christmas...
Jenkins receives a bicycle from his parents and a knife from Mr. Ching, who shows uncommon patience in teaching Jenkins how the pedal. Unfortunately, this happy family receives some sad news. About 45 minutes into the running time, director Fred Zinnemann tries a strange scene which may be part-imaginary. Jenkins enters an empty, candlelit bedroom and watches his mother sleep. Dark topics and "Leave It to Beaver"-style antics next turn into a story about clashing "oriental" and mainstream cultures. The film's intentions may be honorable, but the overall effect is awkward and uneven.
***** Little Mister Jim (3/14/47) Fred Zinnemann ~ Jackie "Butch'' Jenkins, James Craig, Ching Wah Lee, Frances Gifford
Jenkins receives a bicycle from his parents and a knife from Mr. Ching, who shows uncommon patience in teaching Jenkins how the pedal. Unfortunately, this happy family receives some sad news. About 45 minutes into the running time, director Fred Zinnemann tries a strange scene which may be part-imaginary. Jenkins enters an empty, candlelit bedroom and watches his mother sleep. Dark topics and "Leave It to Beaver"-style antics next turn into a story about clashing "oriental" and mainstream cultures. The film's intentions may be honorable, but the overall effect is awkward and uneven.
***** Little Mister Jim (3/14/47) Fred Zinnemann ~ Jackie "Butch'' Jenkins, James Craig, Ching Wah Lee, Frances Gifford
- wes-connors
- May 3, 2013
- Permalink
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $1,085,000 (estimated)
- Runtime1 hour 32 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content