Little Women (1949)
I’ve seen every version of Little Women out there, and while the 1949 adaptation has its good points, it’s not my favorite. June Allyson, cast in the lead as Jo, just isn’t very good. Katharine Hepburn breathes infinitely more passion into the role in the 1933 version. Anyone who’s made a study of these movies as I have knows that Little Women is only as strong as its Jo. The greatest supporting cast and production values can’t turn a good movie into a great one if Jo is weak. Unfortunately, the rest of the 1949 version is good, but I’m not a June Allyson fan so it’s not the one I’ll turn to at Christmas. She certainly tries, and it’s the best performance I’ve seen her give, but she’s not Katharine Hepburn.
Just as I’ve given June as much of a compliment as I can, I’ll do the same for Peter Lawford, who plays Laurie. I’m not a fan of his, but he’s my favorite Laurie. It doesn’t hurt that he looks incredibly handsome, but he also puts in some beautiful expressions when he’s not the focus of the scene so that his love for Jo is three-dimensional and constant. In 1933, Laurie came across as a friend who really wanted to become a part of the family; in 1994, Laurie seemed to only come alive when it was his turn in the spotlight. Peter Lawford feels like he’s really living in the movie and that his feelings for June run deep.
In the supporting cast are Mary Astor as Marmee, Janet Leigh as Meg, Lucile Watson as Aunt March, Leon Ames as Papa March, Margaret O’Brien as Beth, and Elizabeth Taylor as Amy. Who would have thought Liz would look stunning as a blonde? She’s just adorable in this movie, and Margaret O’Brien is by far my favorite of the Beths. She’s endearing and believable, and the iconic scene when Beth thanks Mr. Laurence, played by veteran C. Aubrey Smith in this version, for the piano is such a tearjerker. In no other version do I even get a lump in my throat during that scene. Since this is C. Aubrey’s last movie, it’s doubly touching.
Without a doubt, my favorite part of this movie is the music. If it sounds familiar to you, it’s because it’s not originally written for this version. I’ve always loved Max Steiner’s theme, entitled “Jo’s Theme” from the 1933 version, and someone else loved it too! Whether it was a studio decision or hired composer Adolph Deutsch felt he couldn’t top perfection, “Jo’s Theme” was recycled and reused throughout the movie! It adds a touch of nostalgia in a story that’s already incredibly nostalgic.
Even though this version isn’t my favorite, it does take second place and I’ll definitely watch it again through the years. Just like with every version, you’ll have to take the good with the bad. Even my beloved Katharine Hepburn version has a weak Laurie. In this one, Professor Bhaer is ridiculously played by Rossano Brazzi. Taking out that he’s not supposed to have a thick Italian accent and that he’s not a very good actor, he’s not bumbling and humble. He seems more concerned with how handsome he looks in his spotlight than by his “little friend” Jo. There’s a lot of good to balance it out, though, and a huge supporting cast. You’ll get to keep an eye out for Ellen Corby, Connie Gilchrest, and Elizabeth Patterson, as well as Harry Davenport in one of his last movies.
Want to watch it? Click here to see it on ok.ru and thanks "Classic Cinema Central Seleus B" for posting!
More Mary Astor movies here!
More Margaret O'Brien movies here!
More Elizabeth Taylor movies here!
More Christmas movies here!
Be sure and check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of 1933's Little Women here!
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of 1994's Little Women here!
Be sure and check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of the Little Women novel here!
Just as I’ve given June as much of a compliment as I can, I’ll do the same for Peter Lawford, who plays Laurie. I’m not a fan of his, but he’s my favorite Laurie. It doesn’t hurt that he looks incredibly handsome, but he also puts in some beautiful expressions when he’s not the focus of the scene so that his love for Jo is three-dimensional and constant. In 1933, Laurie came across as a friend who really wanted to become a part of the family; in 1994, Laurie seemed to only come alive when it was his turn in the spotlight. Peter Lawford feels like he’s really living in the movie and that his feelings for June run deep.
In the supporting cast are Mary Astor as Marmee, Janet Leigh as Meg, Lucile Watson as Aunt March, Leon Ames as Papa March, Margaret O’Brien as Beth, and Elizabeth Taylor as Amy. Who would have thought Liz would look stunning as a blonde? She’s just adorable in this movie, and Margaret O’Brien is by far my favorite of the Beths. She’s endearing and believable, and the iconic scene when Beth thanks Mr. Laurence, played by veteran C. Aubrey Smith in this version, for the piano is such a tearjerker. In no other version do I even get a lump in my throat during that scene. Since this is C. Aubrey’s last movie, it’s doubly touching.
Without a doubt, my favorite part of this movie is the music. If it sounds familiar to you, it’s because it’s not originally written for this version. I’ve always loved Max Steiner’s theme, entitled “Jo’s Theme” from the 1933 version, and someone else loved it too! Whether it was a studio decision or hired composer Adolph Deutsch felt he couldn’t top perfection, “Jo’s Theme” was recycled and reused throughout the movie! It adds a touch of nostalgia in a story that’s already incredibly nostalgic.
Even though this version isn’t my favorite, it does take second place and I’ll definitely watch it again through the years. Just like with every version, you’ll have to take the good with the bad. Even my beloved Katharine Hepburn version has a weak Laurie. In this one, Professor Bhaer is ridiculously played by Rossano Brazzi. Taking out that he’s not supposed to have a thick Italian accent and that he’s not a very good actor, he’s not bumbling and humble. He seems more concerned with how handsome he looks in his spotlight than by his “little friend” Jo. There’s a lot of good to balance it out, though, and a huge supporting cast. You’ll get to keep an eye out for Ellen Corby, Connie Gilchrest, and Elizabeth Patterson, as well as Harry Davenport in one of his last movies.
Want to watch it? Click here to see it on ok.ru and thanks "Classic Cinema Central Seleus B" for posting!
More Mary Astor movies here!
More Margaret O'Brien movies here!
More Elizabeth Taylor movies here!
More Christmas movies here!
Be sure and check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of 1933's Little Women here!
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of 1994's Little Women here!
Be sure and check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of the Little Women novel here!