Little Women (1933)

Amazon.com essential video

Louisa May Alcott's beloved story is one of the most-read novels ever written. It has also proved popular film and telefilm fodder (at least six versions plus a TV series). In addition, Little Women is one of those rare literary projects that can truly be done well on screen. This, the 1933 version, chronicles the lives and loves of sisters Jo, Meg, Amy, and Beth (played, respectively, by Katharine Hepburn, Frances Dee, Joan Bennett, and Jean Parker). It's a superior rendering to the amiable, perky 1949 version with June Allyson, Janet Leigh, Elizabeth Taylor, Margaret O'Brien, and Peter Lawford, and comparable to the beautiful, feminist Gillian Armstrong 1994 take. Douglass Montgomery's Laurie isn't nearly as dreamy as Christian Bale's (1994), but the lack of chemistry between him and Hepburn's Jo is perfect for the story, in which Jo loves him like a brother. Jo's real love she offers up to perhaps the finest Professor Bhaer (Paul Lukas). Character actress Edna May Oliver is at her indignant best as Aunt March. Director George Cukor's vision is elegant, warm, and as true to the original source material as 117 minutes allows. This Little Women was a huge box-office hit, and broke all the records to that time. --N.F. Mendoza

Customer Reviews:

a beautiful early film with Katharine Hepburn and a stellar cast............2007-08-30

I actually saw this 1933 version of LITTLE WOMEN after I had watched the 1994 adaptation, directed by Gillian Armstrong and starring Winonah Ryder (among other fine actresses). This, the first of many attempts to bring Louisa May Alcott's book to the screen, is nothing short of lovely. Directed by George Cukor, and starring Katharine Hepburn, as Jo, with Frances Dee (Meg), Jean Parker (Beth) and Joan Bennett (Amy), this film is engaging and well captures the beauty of the story. Based on Alcott's formative years, spent in Germantown, Pennsylvania, we see the strong bond amongst the four March sisters and their mother, Marmee March (Spring Byington), as they await the return of their father from his time spent as chaplain in the Union Army.

Though, some have criticized this version, I love and appreciate it for its beauty, sensitivity and warmth. This was just the beginning of a brilliant career, for (then) twenty-five year old Katharine Hepburn. Don't miss out on this one!

Required viewing for 1933 movie buffs.......2007-06-10

Fantastic, could not be a "re-make" today, no one could do it better!

Not so great.......2007-05-01

There are three versions of little women, and this would have to be my least favorite. the only good thing about this movie is Katherine! She gives a great preformance as the charactor, but that's the only thing that keeps this movie at being one star movie apposed to being a complete drag. I probably wouldn't actually choose to watch this moovie again. If you're are looking for a really good version, try the 1949 version with June Allyson,Mary Astor, Janet Leigh, Elizabeth Taylor, Margret O'Brien,and Peter Lawford.Or try the 1994 version with Winona Ryder, Christian Bale, and Gabriel Byrne just to name a few. Both are wonderful, and worth watching again and again.

Refreshingly Sweet.......2007-02-06

Without comparing this version of Little Women to the 1994 remake I grew up with, I can heartily endorse it as fun-loving, wholesome family entertainment that does justice to a story we hold dear. I suppose one has to develope a taste for these older movies, however . . . and I'm not thinking about the black and white. There are so many parts where it's hard to keep up with the diolog, probably because I'm used to newer movies where they always zoom in on who ever is speaking. Katherine Hepburn did good acting, there is no doubt . . . but looked too old for a teenage role, and she oddly resembled Lucy ("I Love Lucy"), giving me a weird feeling about her through the first half of the movie. The potrayel of her sister/brother relationship with Laurie was brought out better in this movie than in any other, in my opinion. In the 1949 one Laurie seemed to be sweet on her to begin with, and that wasn't the way it was in the book. In the 1994 one with Christian Bale and Winona Ryder, their relationship was playful, but in the book they also "quarreled" a lot, and the 1994 version didn't bring that out enough to explain Jo's rejection of his suit. The Laurie in this 1933 version, however, looked way younger than Jo, and a bit frail. And, too, his facial expressions were sometimes nerdy, and sometimes cute, making me edgy. The Beth they had was PERFECT, as was the Amy, but Meg's character was a bit flat, as she wasn't given many lines, and I only remember one scene which Mr. March was in. John Brook was also a side character. Mr. Lawrence and Aunt March were given big parts, though, and were highly entertaining. The Marmee they had gave a sincere effort, you could tell, and truly seemed the warm, caring mother of four girls from Alcott's novel. I would reckon that most of her acting career was on the stage, however, because it shows in her overworked gestures, facial expressions, and intonation. (Stage actors had to be overly dramatic in a time before the magic of fancy camera work.) Jo's Proffessor from the 1994 movie is and will remain my die-hard favorite. The new version did the best with Jo and the Proffessor's romance. My favorite thing about this movie was the quiet, unforced reverence it radiates. Marmee and her girls are shown praying at different times and even sing "Abide With Me" as Beth plays the piano, and the March girls are rightly concerned about fashioning their characters as best they can. Very wholesome stuff. This is one good movie, and I'd reccomend it to anyone.

cukor & hepburn would go on to better things.......2006-07-04

katharine hepburn heads the cast in george cukors too respectful treatment of the louisa may alcott novel. a pleasant enuf way to spend a couple hours, but i wouldnt seek it out.

Average customer rating:

Kim
Revisiting Rudyard Kipling's Kim
Kim - invaluable life lesson's...
Question answered
A necessary telescoping of the novel, but...

Kim
Starring: Errol Flynn , Dean Stockwell , Paul Lukas , Robert Douglas , and Thomas Gomez
Director: Victor Saville
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

Classics | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

Espionage | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Adventure | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

Drama | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( K ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B00009RDGB
Release Date: 2003-08-26

Description

Adaptation of Rudyard Kipling's classic tale involving an orphaned English boy in 1880's India who assumes a native's identity and gets involved in local espionage plot.

Customer Reviews:

Kim.......2007-06-26

Twelve years after "The Adventures of Robin Hood," former Warner Bros. swashbuckling sensation Errol Flynn showed us he could still handle a sword in this rousing adventure, based on a Rudyard Kipling story. This engrossing yarn benefits from rich period atmosphere, vibrant color photography, and the star charisma emanating from both Flynn and the talented young Stockwell.

Revisiting Rudyard Kipling's Kim.......2007-02-18

Kim is a movie I remember so well as a kid infact probably my favourite chidhood movie. I found myself one evening searching Amazon's massive dvd vault and for some reason I typed in 'KIM' and I was delighted to see it had been released on dvd. Sometimes revisiting a childhood favourite can be dissapointing as an adult, but not Kim the story is so imaginitive it grips from start to finish. The acting of a young Dean Stockwell as a streetwise street urchin blagging his way through life and finding himself embroiled in espionage reminds me in character of Errol Flynn at his cheekiest. Ironically Flynn co stars as 'Kim's protector Red Beard. Both actors work together so well they draw you into the story set in India during the Raj. Kim was My favourite childhood movie and I'm glad I found it again. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Kim - invaluable life lesson's..........2004-05-11

Kim based on Rudyard Kipling's adventure book about the young British boy Kim who has lost both his parents and survives in India through theft, begging, and being a messenger. Kim avoids the British as he has heard that they send their boys to school, but when his identity is revealed he struggles against the system after he is sent to school. In addition, a holy man who has made a strong impression on Kim encourages him to stay in school in order to help him seek enlightenment. Simultaneously, there is a war brewing in northern India and Kim seems to play large part in the outcome of this possible bloodshed. Kim is an interesting film shot in India that teaches some valuable lessons in regards to education and belonging. Despite having some scenes that seem too staged and stiff, which causes some awkwardness in the story, the film leaves the audience with a good cinematic experience.

Question answered.......2003-10-29

This was the only way I could figure out to answer Predone's question: The tune is "John Peel".

A necessary telescoping of the novel, but..........2003-10-24

...
...nevertheless as good on DVD as I remember it on the big screen when I was a youngster. During the '50s and '60s, when it played on commercial television, the idiot box artists chopped this film without mercy or sense, squeezing out of it almost all the flavor, and it's great to see *Kim* - admittedly a bit murky on the visual side, a bit twiddled and diddled in the sound department - back in its theatrical version, and in a form that allows for easy replay and scene selection.

Despite the relatively minor role played by the "real" Mahbub Ali in Kipling's book, the script's structuring took advantage of Errol Flynn's mature screen presence (as an actor, he most certainly got better as he grew older) to good effect, and did the job without doing any real violence to Kipling's story. Dean Stockwell's work is only so-so compared with what he *could* produce under proper direction, and while Paul Lukas is as good in this role as you'd expect him to be, I still have more than a bit of trouble thinking of him as a Tibetan lama.

Description

Synopsis: From the best selling novels by Jackie Collins, these two films were made for the big screen. Joan Collins stars in these sensuous films put together in a two-pack. Ready to catch any fan's eye…this striking boxset will have her millions of readers grabbing at the chance to own these films.

THE BITCH: From the best selling novel by Jackie Collins, meet Fontaine, a high living, pleasure-seeking divorcee who meets her match in the first class cabin on a flight to London. Unbeknownst to Fontaine, the elegant Italian Nico Cantafora was not just interested in playing around and has secretly brought her into an international robbery. Little does he know, Fontaine is up for any game…

THE STUD: Joan Collins is back and she's feistier than ever as Fontaine Khaled, owner of London's hottest club, The Hobo. Tony Blake, who doubles as Fontaines's boy toy, manages the club. But when Tony falls in love with Fontaine's stepdaughter and wants to break away, Fontaine will stop at nothing to make sure nobody takes her Stud.

Customer Reviews:

Greatest Show by Joan Collins - best skin ever.......2007-08-16

These two movies contains the maximum skin show by Joan Collins. The story is nice too...in all a Great Treat for Joan Fans

Average customer rating:

Studly Do Right
The Stud
"You're nothing but a working class bum in Gucci shoes!"
Classic Of Its Time.

Jackie Collins: The Stud
Starring: Tony Allyn , Jeremy Child , Joan Collins , Constantin de Goguel , and Franco Derosa
Manufacturer: Trinity Home Ent
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Drama | Independently Distributed | Stores | DVD | Video

4-for-3 Art House & International | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video

4-for-3 Drama | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video

4-for-3 All DVDs | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video

Independently Distributed | Indie & Art House | Stores | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( J ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B000BTITYE
Release Date: 2006-01-31

Description

Synopsis: Joan Collins is back and she's feistier than ever as Fontaine Khaled, owner of London's hottest club, The Hobo. Tony Blake, who doubles as Fontaines's boy toy, manages the club. But when Tony falls in love with Fontaine's stepdaughter and wants to break away, Fontaine will stop at nothing to make sure nobody takes her Stud.

Customer Reviews:

Studly Do Right.......2007-07-18

Fontaine Khaled (Joan Collins) and boy toy Tony Blake (Oliver Tobias), what a lovely couple. Joan Collins at her bitchiest best! Captures the 70's disco era in London to the T with the perfect soundtrack to go with it. A true period piece with high drama that only Jackie Collins could invision. This is all about kharma, the food chain that we are entangled in. To have the strength to break away is to know thee self. I actually started feeling sorry for Tony Blake but after all he is human and this was his reality check. The climax is the best realization when he opens the door and exits Hobo (nightclub), doesn't look back, the clock strikes midnight and he is free to breathe the fresh London air. All entanglements severed, life is good. THE BITCH is the perfect companion to this movie. Watch what you do in elevators, someone may be watching you every move.

The Stud.......2007-02-06

I liked this one to see Joan Collins get down and have some fun with her young lover and see the other things that happen you got to see this movie.It is not dynasty by a longshot.

"You're nothing but a working class bum in Gucci shoes!".......2006-10-21

The Stud (1978), which was followed a year later by the film The B*tch (1979), both feature Joan Collins (Empire of the Ants, "Dynasty") and were both based off books written by Joan's sister, famed trash/sleaze novelist Jackie Collins, who was once quoted as saying "I live my life like a cool bachelor. I have a man for all seasons"...that's super. Directed by Quentin Masters (A Dangerous Summer), the film features Oliver Tobias (King Arthur, the Young Warlord). Also appearing is Sue Lloyd (The Ipcress File), Emma Jacobs (Lifeforce), Mark Burns (House of the Living Dead), Doug Fisher (Man About the House), and Walter Gotell (The Guns of Navarone, The Boys from Brazil), probably best for his reoccurring role as Russian General Anatol Gogol in such James Bond features as The Spy Who Loved Me (1977), Moonraker (1979), and For Your Eyes Only (1981).

Oliver Tobias plays Tony Blake, a one-time waiter now manager of London's hottest nightclub The Hobo. As the film begins we find ourselves in Tony's apartment, looking at a wall festooned with signed portrait photographs of women, all of whom Tony's had relations with in the past (apparently, along with being a nightclub manager, Tony's also a full time gigolo). After a long, slow pan, just so we get an idea of just how many women Tony's been with, we see Tony in bed with another woman, one he apparently picked up at the club and whose name he doesn't know...oh that Tony...anyway, later that evening Tony arrives at the club only to get a phone call from the club's owner, Fontaine Khaled (Collins), the wife of a rich industrialist Ben Khaled (Gotell). Apparently the old man financed the club in an effort to give his wife something to do while he's off on business, which is quite frequently. Anyway, seems Fontaine, who groomed Tony from a lowly waiter into what he is today, keeps him on a short leash, often calling him forth to service her as needed (and believe me, she needs it a lot). Tony, chaffing under Fontaine's oppressive sexual yoke, has plans of his own, ones that include opening his own club, that is if he can get the financing. A bunch of rather unmemorable events occurs to which we learn Fontaine is growing tired of her boy toy, and is planning on letting her friend have her way with him before cutting Tony loose, presumably to take on another protégé. Things get complicated as Fontaine's husband makes the scene with his comely teenage daughter, Fontaine's stepdaughter, Alexandria (Jacobs), neither of who seem to like each other very much as Alexandria believes Fontaine a money grubbing sleaze (she's right), and Fontaine despises children on principle. Anyway, Tony, who quickly takes a shine to Alexandria, ends up snogging her, after which Fontaine lures Tony to Paris under the guise of opening a new club, ultimately taking him to a libidinous wingding where's he's drugged and taken advantage of by Fontaine's friend. Things eventually come to a head once old Ben discovers his wife's dalliances (on videotape no less), and both Fontaine and Tony suffer karmic repercussions.

It may sound like there's a lot going on in this film, but in reality the story drags miserably at times as an awful lot of attention is given to fluff elements (disco dancing, Tony's skeevy friends, etc.), most of which seems to be there only to pad out the running time. One thing the film does have in spades is sleaze...you know, nothing says class like posting pictures of one's boudoir conquests on the wall near the bed, in plain view for all future conquests to see (if you look hard enough you'll see one of the photos is of Jackie Collins herself, which seems oddly suitable). I think at some point we, the audience, were supposed to feel some empathy for Tony the feathered hair boy toy, given his objectified treatment from his lecherous boss, but I found it difficult to muster any sympathies given the fact he was just as slimy as those whom he associated. And let's not forget the fact he, who looked to be in his early thirties, shagged his employer's teenage daughter (I think she was meant to be sixteen, but she looked to be about twenty). As sleazy as Tony seemed, he wasn't much competition for Collin's character. Seriously, in terms being morally polluted, Fontaine was pretty much in a class of her own as most everything took a backseat to her orgiastic indulgences. I think my favorite bit comes as a result of her calling Tony over to her posh digs for some action, and the pair get it on in the elevator, one equipped with a closed circuit camera. Subsequently her and her skeevy girlfriend watch the tape a number of times as the girlfriend is the one interested in getting it on with Tony, a request Fontaine is willing to facilitate given the fact she's since grown tired of Tony, and is already sizing up suitable replacements. Thing is, Fontaine leaves the videotape lying about, and it's eventually found by not only her stepdaughter, but also her husband. Smooth move, Ex-Lax...if you dig on the nekkidness, it's plentiful here, mostly in the form of female topless shots (Mrs. Collins seemed not too shy about showing off her wares). One aspect of the film I really liked was the inclusion of popular music of the time. There's a plethora of recognizable pop songs played throughout the numerous disco sequences, which helped pass the time a little. As far as the rest, well, the writing and direction were lacking, the performances suitable, but given the oily, lurid trashiness of material in general, I suppose it's not really fair to be overly critical. If you revel in soap operatic sediment involving the lifestyles of the rich and infinitely sleazy, then this film may be right up you alley. I actually found the follow up to this film slightly more enjoyable, mainly due to the fact it was more focused on Ms. Collins' character, and the pacing was a bit better.

The picture on this DVD release, presented in fullscreen, looks decent enough I suppose, and the Dolby Digital 2.0 audio does come through well, both equal in quality to a new VHS tape. The interactive menus (all two of them) look cheap, and there aren't any extras included. There are about eight chapter stops, for what it's worth. If you're truly interested in owning this film on DVD, I'd recommend picking up the DVD set that includes this film and the follow up which I mentioned earlier.

Cookieman108

By the way, if you're interested cinematic sludge of this variety, I'd recommend checking out another film called The Lonely Lady (1983), starring Pia Zadora, and based on a novel by Harold Robbins. In terms of guilty, seedy, sordid pleasures, it ranks up there with Showgirls (1995). It's not out on DVD yet, but it should be...

Classic Of Its Time........2006-03-15

Difficult to know what to rate this film. Next to bonafide classics such as "Casablanca", it would score one star but as a camp classic it would score five stars like "Valley Of The Dolls". The film captures the the hedonistic lifestyle of silly, privileged, amoral Londoners in the 1970s and their interaction via a nightclub called "Hobo" owned by the Joan Collins character (at her glamorous peek) and her husband. The characters could be given more dimension as they are quite two dimensional. The disco soundtrack is more than adequate and the erotic sequences are quite acceptable. Film vacillates between being corny, flashy, cheeky and humorous. Worth checking out as a document of its time, the film is entertaining and enjoyable.

Average customer rating:

Lukas' Child

Manufacturer: Echelon Entertainment 2
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Horror | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $9.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: B0007U84UG

Product Description

Lukas Armand, a skull-faced movie producer, is auditioning lovely young starlets for his upcoming low-budget horror pic. The girls are delighted to learn they've been chosen to star in the film until Lukas' creepy gofers, Jason and Mad-dog kidnap the actresses, one by one, and lock the terrified girls in dank cells somewhere in the bowels of the film studio.

Average customer rating:

Sorry for Kung Fu
Starring: Daria Lorenci , Filip Rados , Vera Zima , Luka Petrusic , and Vedran Mlikota
Director: Ognjen Svilicic
Manufacturer: Lifesize Ent.
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Art House & International | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

Satire | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Art House & International | Independently Distributed | Stores | DVD | Video

Drama | Independently Distributed | Stores | DVD | Video

General | Foreign & International | Stores | DVD | Video

Independently Distributed | Indie & Art House | Stores | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( S ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Fuse

ASIN: B000AYQO5G
Release Date: 2006-01-24

Average customer rating:

Nightmare
Starring: Jonathan Banks , Susan Barnes , Frank Birney , David Garrison , and Mary Gregory
Director: John Pasquin
Manufacturer: Legacy Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Suspense | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

Mystery | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

4-for-3 Drama | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video

4-for-3 All DVDs | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video

( N ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: B00077BOL0
Release Date: 2005-03-01

Spawn of the Devil: The Screaming/Hellspawn/Night Crawlers/Lukas' Child

Average customer rating:

Micro-Budget Indy Devilishness...

Spawn of the Devil: The Screaming/Hellspawn/Night Crawlers/Lukas' Child
Starring: Spawn of the Devil
Manufacturer: Bci / Eclipse
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Horror | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Genres | DVD | Video

( S ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

All Deals | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

4-for-3 Horror | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video

4-for-3 Science Fiction & Fantasy | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video

4-for-3 All DVDs | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video
ASIN: B0000CDL7W
Release Date: 2003-10-07

Customer Reviews:

Micro-Budget Indy Devilishness..........2004-08-04

SPAWN OF THE DEVIL is a collection of 4 ultra-low budget independent monster movies. First we have THE SCREAMING, a combination horror flick / parody of modern-day cult kookiness. While writing a term paper on cults, a college student stumbles upon a group of "crystalogists" (aka: new agey religious weirdoes) bent on his destruction. Said college guy must find the secret to terminate both the cult and their mysterious, demon / alien leader. Goofy special effects add to the charm of this one! Next, HELLSPAWN is another low, LOW budgeter! A woman gives birth to a demon baby (in a scene reminiscent of the birthing scene in Cohen's "It's Alive!"). Of course, the devil-infant goes on a murderous rampage! Can it be stopped before it grows up? Nope! Lots of carnage and cheap sets. NIGHT CRAWLERS has a great title, but lacks any other appeal. Horrid acting (like an episode of HEE HAW), terrible "monster" FX (kindergarten papier mache' project), etc. make this one an exercise in misery. LUKAS' CHILD is the best of the bunch. A strange man is kidnapping beautiful women, locking them in his underground dungeon, forcing them to wear lingerie, and feeding them to "The Child", a hideous demon in a cage down the hall. This movie has better FX than the others, and may even have an actual actor or two involved. SOTD is a nice little package of low cost film-making at it's cheesiest! Recommended...

DVD:

DVD

DVD