Little Men

Homeless orphan Nat Blake is rescued from the streets, and sent to the Plumfield School. Jo Bhaer, the headmistress, insists on taking the boy in and giving him a chance in life. Her husband, Professor Fritz strongly objects, fearing the former street urchin will be a "bad influence" on the other boys. Nat works hard to adjust and is gradually accepted and loved by his teachers. But when money is stolen and all of the evidence seems to point to Nat, only Jo, his true benefactor, believes in the boy's innocence.

Picking up where Louisa May Alcott's classic novel Little Women ends, director Phil Rosen's version of Little Men is a highly regarded production from Mascot. Strong performances are led by Our Gang veteran Dickie Moore (Oliver Twist, 1933) and Frankie Darro (The Public Enemy, 1931 and The Phantom Empire, 1935). Character actor Ralph Morgan (The Life of Emile Zola,1937 and Magnificent Obsession,1935) went on to become the first president of the Screen Actor's Guild.

• drama