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Little Women (89%)
Little Women (86%)

Plot: This sumptuous 1949 film adaptation of the beloved Louisa May Alcott novel isn't as good as the 1933 Katharine Hepburn version, or even the 1994 remake starring an Oscar-nominated Winona Ryder, but it...( read more read more... ) does offer its own pleasures, especially in seeing an all-star cast put through its paces. Erstwhile tomboy June Allyson stars as Alcott's famed heroine Jo, the budding writer in Civil War New England who pines for adventure, independence, and her own career. With Father off to war, it's up to Jo, practical older sister Meg (Janet Leigh), frail sister Beth (Margaret O'Brien), and vain sister Amy (Elizabeth Taylor) to help Marmee (a saintly Mary Astor) keep the home fires warm while dealing with the rigors of adolescence. It's all poured on with a generous amount of syrup, including lavish sets, hoop skirts, and petticoats, but anyone who's ever read Alcott's book will take comfort in its familiar story line. The dialogue is clunky but earnest, but you'd have to have a heart of stone not to get caught up in Jo's plight. And rarely do you get to see such stars go at it with such gusto: Allyson and Peter Lawford (as neighbor and rich boy Laurie) are a match made in B-movie heaven, Taylor is spunky and hilarious in an early comic performance, and Leigh does the matronly thing with aplomb. And nobody, but nobody, cries and suffers like Margaret O'Brien! Watch it in the wintertime, with a fire roaring. --Mark Englehart

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Recent Reviews

  • 4.0 Stars
    MCT:
    June 22, 2008
    I almost didn't watch this because I'd seen the 1994 version and didn't like it. But this version was very good. I enjoyed it.
  • 5.0 Stars
    MCT:
    June 7, 2008
    I love this movie. It is one of the best movies I have ever seen. I enjoyed it a lot. I loved the book that it was based on as well.
  • 1.0 Star
    MCT:
    April 25, 2008
    oh. my. god. I HATED it!!!!!! their voices were kinda screetchy. some parts of it were WAY boring. I think I slept through part. what can I say? It was story of movies class, my last class of the day
  • 5.0 Stars
    MCT:
    January 20, 2008
    This is the absolute best version of the classic...with a very young Elizabeth Taylor and Janet Leigh.
  • Want To See
    MCT:
    January 7, 2008
    duh the movie little woman that was made in 1949 is the same as the movie little woman that was made in 1994. but i actualy didnt see this movie. i saw the one that was made in 1994.
  • 4.0 Stars
    MCT:
    December 24, 2007
    The only movie version of this story to watch. Each girl is adorable, and the story is absorbing as ever, and cozy to watch on a Holiday afternoon.
  • 5.0 Stars
    MCT:
    November 29, 2007
    The first "novel" I ever read was Little Women---I was twelve. I love the older version of the movie best because I believe the innocence of the times enabled a more innocent version of the movie as well, IMHO.
  • 4.5 Stars
    MCT:
    August 10, 2007
    My very favorite version of this story on film. The character's ages are not completely accurate to the book but I think it actually works better here. Great performances by all! Of course I'll always wish for a different ending, but I love the movie just the same.
  • 4.0 Stars
    MCT:
    July 7, 2007
    Great classic. Grew up watching this movie. Another one much better than the remake. All time classic in my family.
  • 5.0 Stars
    MCT:
    July 6, 2007
    I Love June Allyson in this! This version is absolutely brilliant! On "My 5 Star Family Features" & "5 Star Classic Dramas" lists. I just got this for Mother's day '07. DVD.
  • 3.0 Stars
    MCT:
    June 24, 2007
    Slightly boring and unappealing, like the book itself. However, Elizabeth looked so bloody GORGEOUS!
  • 4.0 Stars
    MCT:
    June 13, 2007
    I think the original was too overacted by Katherine Hepburn and the newest one with Winnona Ryder was too poorly acted. This One I think is the best of the three versions
  • 3.5 Stars
    MCT:
    May 7, 2007
    This is a good version of Little Women. I think the best part of this one is Liz Taylor as Amy. June Allyson makes a believable Jo. Overall, a good movie.
  • 4.0 Stars
    MCT:
    April 19, 2007
    I'm at a lost which version I like of this......this one of the Kathryn Hepburn version. If you love Eliabeth Taylor....watch this one.
  • 1.0 Star
    MCT:
    April 14, 2007
    The worst Little Women adaptation ever. Anyone who really likes this is either mistakening it with the 33 version, or nostalgia has wrapped a tentacle around their brain stem.
  • 5.0 Stars
    MCT:
    April 8, 2007
    This is also one of my all-time favorite books. Although, I think the book is so much better and detailed.
  • 5.0 Stars
    MCT:
    April 6, 2007
    this is hands down the best version of little woomen out there. June Allyson shines as Jo, and Elizabeth Taylor is a delight, even this early in her career.
  • Want To See
    MCT:
    March 23, 2007
    I saw the version with Susan Sarandon and Wynona Ryder, but I would imagine this one is just as good!

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Comments

  • gyvette
    the best one out of the three versions!!!!!!!!!!!
    posted 425 days ago

Details

  • Rated: (Unrated)
  • Directed by: Mervyn LeRoy
  • Genres: Drama, Kids & Family, Romance
  • Released: March 10, 1949
  • DVD Released: August 26, 2003

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