tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6093499986237480423.post1522977141683386248..comments2023-03-26T15:27:37.450+08:00Comments on begin again...: Little Women Disatisfaction.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09816650270802955615noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6093499986237480423.post-17204315760485412692011-01-18T13:51:05.521+08:002011-01-18T13:51:05.521+08:00Apart from the 1994 adaptation of Little Women, I ...Apart from the 1994 adaptation of <i>Little Women</i>, I have seen the 1933 black-and-white version with Katharine Hepburn as Jo.<br /><br />And I did read the book first. In February 1995 at the library during one of my Tuesday/Thursday lessons. The Penguin Classics edition, without pictures. (Classic books with pictures are good, modern books probably less so: and the Octopus budget edition is great). Jo and Laurie are lolling about on the grass.<br /><br />I do take your point about the costumes.<br /><br />Listening to <i>Little Women's</i> soundtrack as think music. If you're reading the first two chapters, you might well be thinking of <i>Orchard House</i> and <i>Meg's Hair</i>.<br /><br />There's that scene where all four are getting dressed.<br /><br />Towards the end Amy has a crowning moment of awesome which makes me think a lot more of her, and put me into a positive disposition when Aunt Carroll asks her to go to Europe in the sequel. (even while I was disappointed Jo didn't get to go, and understanding why she didn't: again, this is well-covered in the 1994 movie).<br /><br />My crowning moment of awesome for the 1994 movie - even though it may be out of context/period - is when Bhaer and Jo talk about the Transcendalists. Big inspiration for Louisa May Alcott and her Dad.<br /><br />(Do try to read Alcott's girlhood diary, from 10 to 14. Have a children's picture book of it, acquired in an early 2000s Christmas [probably 2002-03], from local basement bargain bookshop).<br /><br />The older actress who plays Amy after <i>Little Women's</i> action closes is Samantha Mathis.<br /><br />I seem to remember the ending chapters of Little Women more than I remember the first half, especially the ones with Meg and John Brooke - when he appears in the story.<br /><br />Oh, and <i>Anne of the Thousand Days</i> has a searing monologue, probably best seen in the theatre.<br /><br />Marmee (Susan Sarandon) was probably the star of the 1994 version. It's very much centred round her, in a way I don't feel the book is (or should be). Marmee was more peripherial in the 1933 version.<br /><br />As for Claire Danes as Beth ... wow, that warmed the cockles of my heart. Especially the woodbox scene.<br /><br />And I remember when Meg went to the party with the Gardiners and an incident with a curling rod. This was probably better done in the book. It was one of the more inspiring tableaux/set pieces.<br /><br />One of the very first websites I discovered back in 1996 was to do with the characters that Louisa May Alcott based Little Women on. Not just her sisters and her parents.<br /><br />Have a 130-year-fascimile edition of <i>Little Women</i> which is my reference copy, while the Octopus is my sentiment copy. (The Octopus has <i>Little Women</i>, <i>Good Wives</i> and <i>Little Men</i>; all of which I got deeply involved in May 1995: I did not buy <i>Jo's Boys</i> until the end of that year. <i>Jo's Boys</i> is probably ripe for a re-read, and I learnt from that book that Alcott's style is considered to be "moralistic not didactic").Adelaide Duponthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01490123934889071074noreply@blogger.com