Little Women (1933 film) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Little Women |
|
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster
|
|
| Directed by | George Cukor |
| Produced by | Merian C. Cooper |
| Written by | David Hempstead |
| Screenplay by |
|
| Starring |
|
| Music by | Max Steiner |
| Cinematography | Henry W. Gerrard |
| Editing by | Jack Kitchin |
| Studio | RKO Radio Pictures |
| Distributed by | RKO Radio Pictures |
| Release date(s) | November 16, 1933 (United States) |
| Running time | 115 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $424,000 |
| Money made | $2,070,000 (worldwide rentals) |
Little Women is a 1933 American drama film directed by George Cukor. It stars famous actors like Katharine Hepburn, Joan Bennett, Frances Dee, and Jean Parker. The movie's story is based on the popular 1868-1869 novel Little Women by Louisa May Alcott.
This film was the third time the beloved book was brought to the screen. Before this, there were two silent movies: one in 1917 and another in 1918. After the 1933 sound version, more Little Women films were made, including one in 1949, another in 1994, and a recent one in 2019.
Contents
Story of the March Sisters
The film takes place in Concord, Massachusetts, during and after the American Civil War. It shows different parts of the lives of the four March sisters and their kind mother, Marmee. They are waiting for their father, who is away fighting in the Union Army.
Jo is a lively tomboy who dreams of becoming a famous writer. She often writes plays for her sisters to perform. Amy is pretty but sometimes a bit selfish. Meg works as a governess, teaching children. Beth is sensitive and loves to play her clavichord, a musical instrument.
The girls meet Laurie, a new neighbor who lives with his wealthy grandfather, Mr. Laurence. The Laurences invite the March sisters to a big party. There, Meg meets Laurie's tutor, John Brooke.
Over the next few months, John and Meg become close. Jo's first short story gets published, which is very exciting! Beth often visits Mr. Laurence's house to practice on his piano.
Marmee learns that her husband is hurt and in a hospital far away. She travels to Washington, D.C., to take care of him. While she is gone, Beth gets scarlet fever from a neighbor's baby. She gets better, but she remains weak.
The March parents return home, and Meg marries John. Laurie tells Jo he loves her, but Jo does not feel the same way. When Laurie gets upset, Jo moves to New York City to focus on her writing. She lives in a boarding house and meets Professor Bhaer, a kind German linguist. He helps Jo improve her writing and understand her feelings about Laurie.
Beth becomes very ill, so Jo returns home to be with her family. After Beth sadly passes away, Jo learns that Amy, who traveled to Europe with their Aunt March, has fallen in love with Laurie and they are getting married. Jo is happy for them when Laurie and Amy return as a married couple.
Soon after, Professor Bhaer comes from New York City. He brings Jo's story, Little Women, which is about to be published! He tells Jo he loves her and asks her to marry him. Jo says yes, welcoming him into her family.
Meet the Characters
- Katharine Hepburn as Josephine "Jo" March
- Joan Bennett as Amy March
- Frances Dee as Margaret "Meg" March
- Jean Parker as Elizabeth "Beth" March
- Spring Byington as Marmee March
- Douglass Montgomery as Theodore "Laurie" Laurence
- Paul Lukas as Professor Bhaer
- Edna May Oliver as Aunt March
- Henry Stephenson as Mr. Laurence
- John Davis Lodge as Brooke
- Samuel S. Hinds as Mr. March
- Nydia Westman as Mamie
- Harry Beresford as Doctor Bangs
- Mabel Colcord as Hannah
- Marion Ballou as Mrs. Kirke
Making the Movie
The director, George Cukor, wanted to show how important family and sacrifice were in the story of Little Women.
The costume designer, Walter Plunkett, made a special dress for Katharine Hepburn's character, Jo. It was based on a photo of Hepburn's own grandmother. Plunkett also had to change some of Joan Bennett's costumes because she was pregnant, which she hadn't told the director! He carefully designed all the costumes, even swapping clothes between the sisters in different scenes to show their close family bond.
The movie was planned to cost $1 million, which was a lot of money back then. About 4,000 people worked on the film over a year. Researchers made sure that around 3,000 items, like costumes and furniture, looked just like they would have in the 1860s. The inside of the March home in the movie was designed to look like Louisa May Alcott's real home. Some outdoor scenes were filmed at different locations in California.
Movie Release and Success
Little Women first opened on November 16, 1933, at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Even though it was a very cold day, the movie broke records! Over 23,000 people came to see it on the first day. In its first week, the film earned more than $100,000.
The movie was very popular during the Great Depression. People liked seeing a film that showed a simpler, more innocent time. Also, many people liked that the movie was wholesome and not violent, especially since other films at the time were getting criticism for being too harsh.
During its first time in theaters, Little Women earned about $2 million worldwide. This made it one of the most popular films of 1933.
Why This Story Still Matters
The book Little Women by Louisa May Alcott is set during the 1860s, a time of the American Civil War. When the 1933 film was made, the United States was going through the Great Depression. This meant that many of the struggles the March family faced, like needing food and saving money, felt very real to audiences in the 1930s.
The film showed how important family and community were, and how people could find joy and hope even during tough times. The March sisters represented the strong spirit and determination that people needed during both the Civil War and the Great Depression. The movie became a symbol of hope and strong family ties.
See also
In Spanish: Little Women (película de 1933) para niños
