The original novel by Louisa May Alcott, released as two volumes in 1868 and 1869, is an enduring classic, and has produced a good number of film adaptations. Following 1917 and 1918 silent films, and the 1933 (first sound) version, this is the fourth feature film adaptation, the first in colour, directed by Mervyn LeRoy (Little Caesar, I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang, Mister Roberts, Gypsy). Basically, in nineteenth century Concord, Massachusetts, during and after the American Civil War, it sees the struggles and adventures of the four March sisters: Josephine "Jo" (June Allyson), Amy (Dame Elizabeth Taylor), Margaret "Meg" (Janet Leigh) and Elizabeth "Beth" (Margaret O'Brien), and their mother, affectionately known as Marmee (Mary Astor). The Marches live in a state of genteel poverty, as several years earlier their father (Leon Ames) lost the family's fortune to an unscrupulous businessman. While Mr. March serves in the Union Army, Marmee holds the family together and teaches the girls the importance of giving to those less fortunate than themselves, especially during the upcoming Christmas season. Spoiled and vain Amy often moans about the family's lack of material wealth and social status, but tomboyish Jo, an aspiring writer, keeps everyone entertained with her stories. The youngest March daughter, the shy and sensitive Beth, helps Jo with her productions, on often plays on the out-of-tune piano. The spirited Jo seeks companionship, she strikes up a friendship with Theodore "Laurie" Laurence (Peter Lawford), the grandson of the cantankerous neighbour James Laurence (C. Aubrey Smith). Mr. Laurence is impressed with Jo's forthrightness and her beneficial effect on the brooding Laurie, that he invites the March sisters to a fancy-dress ball at his grand house. At the ball, Meg is courted by John Brooke (Richard Stapley), Laurie's tutor, and Jo consents to dance with Laurie while Amy and Beth watch everything from the staircase. Mr. Laurence's grumpy nature is softened upon meeting Beth, who reminds him of his beloved granddaughter who passed away, he learns of her musical talent, he offers her the use of his grand piano. The beautiful evening ends on a sour note, however, when Amy and Beth overhear the snobbish Mrs. Gardiner (Isabel Randolph) and her daughter gossiping about Marmee. As the weeks pass, Laurie's affection for Jo grows, but Jo claims that she loves him as a friend and will never marry him. Meanwhile, Jo worries that the bond between the sisters will be broken if Meg pursues her feelings and marries Mr. Brooke, she attempts to discourage her. When Spring comes, Marmee receives word that Mr. March has been wounded and sent to an Army hospital in Washington, D.C. The girls are left in the care of wealthy Aunt March (Lucile Watson), but they struggle to get by, forcing Jo to cut off her beautiful locks and sell them. While carrying out Marmee's work for the poor in her absence, Beth contracts scarlet fever, and the distressed and frightened sisters realise how much they depend upon Marmee. Beth's fever breaks, and Marmee returns, with Laurie arranging a surprise return by Mr. March. A few months later, Meg marries Mr. Brooke and Laurie asks Jo to marry him, but she turns him down, explaining that she is uncomfortable in high society and wishes to devote her life to writing. The disappointed Laurie leaves for Europe, and Jo, saddened by losing both him and Meg, moves to New York to pursue her career, while living in a boarding house. Jo meets German tutor Professor Bhaer (Rossano Brazzi), who introduces her to art museums and the opera. Jo bursts into tears when Bhaer criticizes her work and is hurt when Aunt March takes Amy instead of her on a trip to Europe. After consoling Jo, with whom he has fallen in love, Professor Bhaer advises her to write from her heart. Jo decides to return home where she is needed, for Beth has become deathly ill. Jo stays in the nearly empty March household and cares for the brave Beth who suffers without complaint. After Beth's death, Jo writes a novel expressing her grief, while Meg, now a mother of twins, gently informs Jo that Laurie and Amy have fallen in love in Europe and are to be married. Although Jo is happy for the couple, she realises for the first time how lonely she is and how much she wishes to be loved. A few weeks later, married Laurie and Amy return, and the Marches joyfully celebrate the family's reunion. Professor Bhaer interrupts the festivities and arrives with Jo's novel, which he has had published. But Bhaer mistakenly assumes that Jo has married her friend Laurie and politely declines his invitation to join the party and departs. Jo catches up to him and confirms his mistake, the two embrace and he proposes marriage. Jo happily accepts, then leads her future husband back to the warmth of the house, where her family awaits them. Also starring Elizabeth Patterson as Hannah, Harry Davenport as Dr. Barnes and Ellen Corby as Sophie. Allyson does very well as the boyish sister, Taylor and Leigh are also very good, and O'Brien is fine, it is fair to say that the source material is probably more stern than this movie suggests, but there is nothing wrong with charming the audience with great performances and a fabulous use of colourful costumes and sets, a most worthwhile coming-of-age period drama. It won the Oscar for Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, and it was nominated for Best Cinematography. Good!
Review of Little Women
