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June Allyson, Peter Lawford, Elizabeth Taylor

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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80% liked it

8,667 ratings

Unrated, 2 hrs. 1 min.

Directed by: Mervyn LeRoy

Release Date: March 10, 1949

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DVD Release Date: August 26, 2003

Stats: 417 reviews

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Beth ill Jo & Laurie
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Flixster Reviews (417)

  • DangerMagnet
    July 9, 2007
    DangerMagnet
    This is one of the greatest movies in the history of forever. Really and truly!!
  • ileo
    December 26, 2007
    ileo
    A personal favorite.
  • Basht
    October 15, 2009
    Basht
    This is my favorite. much happier, less serious, wonderful
  • janeisgoingmad
    July 8, 2009
    janeisgoingmad
    Liz Taylor is WAY too old to be playing Amy in this one. Creepy.
  • lettyhamm77
    July 7, 2009
    lettyhamm77
    I disagree. I like this movie the best out of all three remakes. Not a fan of Katharine Hepburn or Susan Sarandon. Therefore this is the movie for me.
  • jam233
    July 2, 2009
    jam233
    Certainly the worst rendition of the three major versions of the classic story, but still not too bad, June Allyson is badly miscast, she does not have the acting ability for a role of such depth. Good costumes, great art direction.
  • kellybluezzgirl
    April 27, 2009
    kellybluezzgirl
    What little girl did not like this movie or book? :)
  • mamabearsue
    April 16, 2009
    mamabearsue
    this is a story I love from reading book as child to now
  • kattnnip
    April 2, 2009
    kattnnip
    Loved this version of Little Women best of all
  • katiegirl958
    March 26, 2009
    katiegirl958
    Loved this movie and have watched a couple times! Terrific cast and blending of characters and their stories. Highly recommend this movie!

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  • gyvette
    July 7, 2007
    gyvette
    the best one out of the three versions!!!!!!!!!!!
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