Years before he became famous for his gimmicky (but extremely fun) horror flicks, William Castle directed and co-wrote this obscure B movie. The story is about the life of a midget named Harry and the hardships he has to endure. Don't watch this if you're very sensitive or easily depressed. The poor guy has to put up with a lot. Harry eventually does find happiness but how that comes about is kind of sad itself.
Harry is played by Paul Dale, a little person whose only other credit on IMDb is that of a member of the Lollipop Guild in The Wizard of Oz. He does a very good job for an amateur. Will Geer plays Harry's father. He appears to be the only person in his town with a Southern accent. Todd Karns, of It's a Wonderful Life fame, plays the guy who befriends Harry and gives him a job shining shoes. Sexy Lorraine Miller is great as Buttons, the 'big woman' who leads Harry astray.
There are moments where Castle displays some directorial flair, such as the scene where Harry's shadow talks to him while he sleeps or the scene where he runs away from the jerk who runs a carnival, only to be confronted by the jerk's laughing face everywhere he turns. Castle could be a talented director when he tried. The most ridiculous part of the film is near the end where Harry sings "It's a Small World." No, not the Disney song; this one is worse. I'm sure there will be some people offended by this movie. I can sort of see why but I do believe Castle's intent was to tell the story of a midget sympathetically and not be exploitative. But yesterday's good intentions aren't always good enough viewed through a modern lens. It's an interesting movie, for sure. Some will watch it just to laugh but this isn't something like Terror of Tiny Town. Contrary to what IMDb currently lists it as, this is not a comedy. Not intentionally, anyway.
