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Little Men

  • 19401940
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 1h 24m
IMDb RATING
5.6/10
380
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Little Men (1940)
  • Comedy
  • Drama
Jo March and her husband Professor Bhaer operate the Plumfield School for poor boys. When Dan, a tough street kid, comes to the school, he wins Jo's heart despite his hard edge, and she defe... Read allJo March and her husband Professor Bhaer operate the Plumfield School for poor boys. When Dan, a tough street kid, comes to the school, he wins Jo's heart despite his hard edge, and she defends him when he is falsely accused. Dan's foster father, Major Burdle, is a swindler in ca... Read allJo March and her husband Professor Bhaer operate the Plumfield School for poor boys. When Dan, a tough street kid, comes to the school, he wins Jo's heart despite his hard edge, and she defends him when he is falsely accused. Dan's foster father, Major Burdle, is a swindler in cahoots with another crook called Willie the Fox. When the Plumfield School becomes in dange... Read all
IMDb RATING
5.6/10
380
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Norman Z. McLeod
  • Writers
    • Mark Kelly(screen play)
    • Arthur Caesar(screen play)
    • Louisa May Alcott(from the novel by)
  • Stars
    • Kay Francis
    • Jack Oakie
    • George Bancroft
Top credits
  • Director
    • Norman Z. McLeod
  • Writers
    • Mark Kelly(screen play)
    • Arthur Caesar(screen play)
    • Louisa May Alcott(from the novel by)
  • Stars
    • Kay Francis
    • Jack Oakie
    • George Bancroft
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 16User reviews
    • 5Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos

    Kay Francis in Little Men (1940)
    Carl Esmond and Kay Francis in Little Men (1940)
    Carl Esmond and Ann Gillis in Little Men (1940)
    Add photo

    Top cast

    Edit
    Kay Francis
    Kay Francis
    • Joas Jo
    Jack Oakie
    Jack Oakie
    • Willieas Willie
    George Bancroft
    George Bancroft
    • Maj. Burdleas Maj. Burdle
    Jimmy Lydon
    Jimmy Lydon
    • Danas Dan
    Ann Gillis
    Ann Gillis
    • Nanas Nan
    Carl Esmond
    Carl Esmond
    • Prof. Bhaeras Prof. Bhaer
    • (as Charles Esmond)
    Richard Nichols
    Richard Nichols
    • Teddyas Teddy
    Casey Johnson
    • Robbyas Robby
    Francesca Santoro
    • Bessas Bess
    Johnny Burke
    Johnny Burke
    • Silasas Silas
    Lillian Randolph
    Lillian Randolph
    • Asiaas Asia
    Sammy McKim
    Sammy McKim
    • Tommyas Tommy
    Edward Rice
    • Demias Demi
    Anne Howard
    • Daisyas Daisy
    Jimmy Zahner
    • Jackas Jack
    • (as Jimmy Zaner)
    Bobby Cooper
    • Adolphusas Adolphus
    • (as Bobbie Cooper)
    Schuyler Standish
    • Natas Nat
    Paul Matthews
    • Stuffyas Stuffy
    • Director
      • Norman Z. McLeod
    • Writers
      • Mark Kelly(screen play)
      • Arthur Caesar(screen play)
      • Louisa May Alcott(from the novel by)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    Jo March and her husband Professor Bhaer operate the Plumfield School for poor boys. When Dan, a tough street kid, comes to the school, he wins Jo's heart despite his hard edge, and she defends him when he is falsely accused. Dan's foster father, Major Burdle, is a swindler in cahoots with another crook called Willie the Fox. When the Plumfield School becomes in danger of foreclosure, the two con men cook up a scheme to save the home. —Jim Beaver <jumblejim@prodigy.net>
    • foreclosure
    • self sacrifice
    • orphanage
    • moral reformation
    • financial crisis
    • 2 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Genres
      • Comedy
      • Drama
    • Certificate
      • Approved
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      This film uses several of the Gone with the Wind (1939) exterior sets, including Tara, the train shed, and several of the Atlanta street buildings. One of the best close-up views of Tara's front porch and door.
    • Goofs
      At about five minutes, the Baby turns completely around in its box between shots.
    • Quotes

      Major Burdle: [to Willie] I won't lose his love and respect, not even if i have to steal the money to prove than I'm honest.

    • Connections
      Version of Little Men (1934)
    • Soundtracks
      Roll Jordan Roll
      (uncredited)

      Traditional Negro spiritual

      Sung a cappella by Lillian Randolph

    User reviews16

    Review
    Top review
    3/10
    Not an Adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's book
    Not a faithful adaptation of the Louisa May Alcott book. Plumfield, originally in Maine, is now apparently in the south or a border state? Jo has lost all her spunk and vitality, and the professor (a Ph.D., for that matter) takes all the money he has and gives it over, without a thought, to charlatans because they are "good investors"? What has happened to the wise, lovable Fritz Bhaer of the earlier novel?

    Nothing happens at Plumfield, except Bessie the Cow gives birth and Danny, the new boy, gets into fights. Instead, the main emphasis is on the non-Alcott material: the charlatans who sell snake oil to the masses and who crack some interesting jokes along the way. It's watchable, but not a good movie. And it's certainly not an adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's "Little Women".
    helpful•1
    0
    • takegoodcare
    • Mar 12, 2020

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 29, 1940 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Louisa May Alcott's Little Men
    • Filming locations
      • RKO Studios - 780 N. Gower Street, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production company
      • The Play's The Thing Productions Inc.
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 24 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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