Written by David Hempstead, Victor Heerman and Sarah Y. Mason
Based on a novel by Louisa May Alcott
Starring Katherine Hepburn, Joan Bennett, Paul Lukas, Frances Dee, Jean Parker, Edna May Oliver, Douglass Montgomery and Henry Stephenson
USA, 1933
I've seen a couple version of LITTLE WOMEN over the years, most notably the one from the 90s and the Greta Gerwig movie from a year or two ago, but somehow this classic version has eluded me until now, so I'm glad to say I've seen it.
Its strengths are in its lead performance by Katherine Hepburn, great as always and perfectly cast as the head strong and intelligent Jo, and in its efficient story telling. Its weaknesses come from that same efficient story telling -- since they sped through the story with a refreshing quickness, they left out a few of my favorite parts, most involving fire.
I assume the story doesn't need any recapping, but we'll do it, anyway -- it's the coming of age story of four young sisters in New England, during and after the Civil War, who all attempt to find happiness and their places in life in different ways. The main thrust of the story, as usual, is with Jo, who is the most rebellious against her expected position in life, even going so far as to turn down a proposal from a perfectly decent guy, in a scene that is just as memorable here as it is in the other versions.
So, where's the romance, then? Well, it's not quite as belabored over in this version as in some of the others, but it's still sweet when Jo's spurned suitor ends up with one of the other sisters and the German professor from the city comes calling for her in a rain storm.
No comments:
Post a Comment