Category: 3.5 Star

1949, 2h 1m

Our Comments: √ 09-29-2023 at our place in Niagara (PS, HS). The checkmark means we own it. We enjoyed the loyal and loving relationships in the family and among neighbours. This is a tight-knit family that faces its ups and downs. Jo, played by June Allyson, doesn’t like change, and resists it. Yet so much change happens in the unfolding life of this family. The movie presents a complex and interesting thread of day-to-day life, defining moments, personality conflicts, illness, loss, and romance. The conclusion of the message is that there will be changes and challenges in life, but the human spirit must endeavor to prevail. We overlooked some of the melodrama, given the time in which the movie was made. To be sure, this is a film that has merit. It’s very good! We were torn between giving it a 3.5 or 4 star rating. We settled on 3.5 plus!

The movie is based on the book. And several versions have been put to film. We will try some of the other releases of Little Women. There are several.

TMDB: “Louisa May Alcott’s autobiographical account of her life with her three sisters in Concord Mass in the 1860s. With their father fighting in the civil war, the sisters: Jo, Meg, Amy and Beth are at home with their mother. Jo is an outspoken woman for her time. The story is of how the sisters grow up, find love and find their place in the world.”

• Mervyn LeRoy Director
• Louisa May Alcott Novel
• Sarah Y. Mason Screenplay
• Andrew Solt Screenplay
• Victor Heerman Screenplay

Enjoyment Rating: 3.5+ star

Clean Rating: 5

1959, 1h 42m

My Comments: 08-21-2023 at our place in Niagara (PS, HS). Borrowed the set from ASB. A lovely little romp through Big City 1959 through the lives of two people sharing a telephone party line. Rock Hudson plays the playboy at the other end of Doris Day’s line. It’s a funny movie, with a pleasant glimpse back to the late 50’s: scenery, decor, and social setting of the time. Even back then, the sexual revolution was already emerging. And this leads us to the moral dilemma with this movie. A modest adult can certainly deal with the many compromised attitudes and innuendos (both sexual and in the portrayal of alcoholism), but this movie is probably not for impressionable young teens.

Overall, we enjoyed the movie for its classic feel, its lively energy and comedic delightfulness, but were a bit disappointed in the lack of innocence you usually get with a 50’s film.

TMDB: “Playboy songwriter Brad Allen’s succession of romances annoys his neighbor, interior designer Jan Morrow, who shares a telephone party line with him and hears all his breezy routines. After Jan unsuccessfully lodges a complaint against him, Brad sets about to seduce her in the guise of a sincere and upstanding Texas rancher. When mutual friend Jonathan discovers that his best friend is moving in on the girl he desires, however, sparks fly.”

1. Michael GordonDirector

Enjoyment Rating: 3.5 star

Clean Rating: 3