The LITTLE WOMEN franchise (1949-2019)
Feb 1, 2020 15:37:16 GMT
louise, mattgarth, and 2 more like this
Post by claudius on Feb 1, 2020 15:37:16 GMT
It's unfortunate you excluded the 1933 RKO/George Cukor version starring Katherine Hepburn, Douglass Montgomery, Joan Bennett (hiding her pregnancy), Edna Mae Oliver, and Spring Byrington. The 1949 MGM version is practically a remake; same costumer Walter Plunkett, Albert Deutsch's score uses Max Steiner's '33 composition, and the screenplay adapts Victor Heerman & Sarah Y. Mason's adapted screenplay (which won an oscar); it also has the same Mr. Davis in Olan Howland.
Comparing the '33 and '49 versions, they go by much the same episodic narrative with differences. 33 has the girls perform the play to neighborhood children, while 49 has them perform it themselves. 33 shows Amy overseas, greeted by Laurie, while 49 simply forgets about Amy until the ending. 33 has the stricken Beth shy away from Amy and then head to a closet, softly telling the girls what happened, and then asking if she has scarlet fever, describing the symptoms, while 49 has Beth reveal things in a serious dramatic manner. The 1949 version does have its additions as well. Whereas 33 has the girls directly spend their XMAS money for Marmee gifts, the 49 version has the girls go on a spending spree before changing their minds & exchanging their gifts for ones for Marmee. Both versions have the party, but 49 has the snobbish guests badmouth the Marches, followed by Jo's talk with Marmee about her plans for them.
Aside from these additions, I felt the 1933 version had better narrative. Whereas 1949 version introduces the girls all together, the 1933 is individual in intros: First its Marmee at a charity bazaar giving a coat to a father who is trying to see his ill son out of town (having lost several to war and prison). Then Governess Meg kissing her charges goodbye. Then Jo being companion to Aunt March. Then Amy and Mr. Davis (Joan Bennett's Amy cries her way out of it, while Liz uses her grace). Then Beth singing on her piano despite its faulty key. Then the girls get together. The 1949 disorganizes several scenes, giving Jo mood swings. While 33 has Jo already Aunt March's companion despite arguments about her father, 49' has Jo defying her Aunt over daddy, and then trying to kiss up so she can become her companion. Then there is the Bhaer situation. 33 first has the criticisms about her work and apologies, the romantic moment, then the trips to the play, etc., and then Jo gets a letter about home and departs. 49 does the trips first, then the criticism & apologies, leading to the romantic rapport...and then Jo interrupts by saying she has to go home.
Seeing all these as theatrical adaptations, I can see reason to exclude the 1978 TV-Miniseries with Susan Dey, Meredith Baxter, Eve Plumb, Greer Garson, William Shatner, and John de Lancie (So, Laurie Partridge, Elsye Keaton, Jan Brady, Mrs. Miniver, Captain Kirk, and Q), as well as the 1970 & 2018 BBC-TV Serials. I would have thought you would include the 2018 updated version with Sarah Davenport and Lea Thompson (Dad is in the Middle East and Amy burns Jo's laptop).
Comparing the '33 and '49 versions, they go by much the same episodic narrative with differences. 33 has the girls perform the play to neighborhood children, while 49 has them perform it themselves. 33 shows Amy overseas, greeted by Laurie, while 49 simply forgets about Amy until the ending. 33 has the stricken Beth shy away from Amy and then head to a closet, softly telling the girls what happened, and then asking if she has scarlet fever, describing the symptoms, while 49 has Beth reveal things in a serious dramatic manner. The 1949 version does have its additions as well. Whereas 33 has the girls directly spend their XMAS money for Marmee gifts, the 49 version has the girls go on a spending spree before changing their minds & exchanging their gifts for ones for Marmee. Both versions have the party, but 49 has the snobbish guests badmouth the Marches, followed by Jo's talk with Marmee about her plans for them.
Aside from these additions, I felt the 1933 version had better narrative. Whereas 1949 version introduces the girls all together, the 1933 is individual in intros: First its Marmee at a charity bazaar giving a coat to a father who is trying to see his ill son out of town (having lost several to war and prison). Then Governess Meg kissing her charges goodbye. Then Jo being companion to Aunt March. Then Amy and Mr. Davis (Joan Bennett's Amy cries her way out of it, while Liz uses her grace). Then Beth singing on her piano despite its faulty key. Then the girls get together. The 1949 disorganizes several scenes, giving Jo mood swings. While 33 has Jo already Aunt March's companion despite arguments about her father, 49' has Jo defying her Aunt over daddy, and then trying to kiss up so she can become her companion. Then there is the Bhaer situation. 33 first has the criticisms about her work and apologies, the romantic moment, then the trips to the play, etc., and then Jo gets a letter about home and departs. 49 does the trips first, then the criticism & apologies, leading to the romantic rapport...and then Jo interrupts by saying she has to go home.
Seeing all these as theatrical adaptations, I can see reason to exclude the 1978 TV-Miniseries with Susan Dey, Meredith Baxter, Eve Plumb, Greer Garson, William Shatner, and John de Lancie (So, Laurie Partridge, Elsye Keaton, Jan Brady, Mrs. Miniver, Captain Kirk, and Q), as well as the 1970 & 2018 BBC-TV Serials. I would have thought you would include the 2018 updated version with Sarah Davenport and Lea Thompson (Dad is in the Middle East and Amy burns Jo's laptop).