| Little Man, What Now? | |
|---|---|
 Film poster | |
| Directed by | Frank Borzage |
| Screenplay by | William Anthony McGuire |
| Based on | Little Man, What Now? by Hans Fallada |
| Produced by | Carl Laemmle Jr. |
| Starring | Margaret Sullavan Douglass Montgomery |
| Cinematography | Norbert F. Brodin |
| Edited by | Milton Carruth |
| Music by | Arthur Kay (uncredited) |
| Production company | Universal Pictures |
| Distributed by | Universal Pictures |
| Release date |
|
| Running time | 98 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Little Man, What Now? is a 1934 pre-Code American drama film directed by Frank Borzage and starring Margaret Sullavan. It is based on the novel of the same name by Hans Fallada. The novel had been turned into a German film the previous year. The film was a box-office disappointment for Universal.
Plot
In Germany in the early 1930s, a young couple are struggling against poverty. Hans is a small business agent. He is happily married to Emma, whom he affectionately calls "lämmchen" (small lamb). They must keep their marriage a secret in order for Hans to retain his job, as his boss wants him to marry the boss' daughter. However, Hans loses his job when the truth emerges. Hans and Emma stay with his stepmother in bustling Berlin to find success. Hans secures a small job in a department store. Hans and Emma discover that his stepmother is really a notorious madam who runs an exclusive brothel.
Cast
- Margaret Sullavan as Emm "Lammchen" Pinneberg
- Douglass Montgomery as Hans Pinneberg
- Alan Hale as Holger Jachman
- Catherine Doucet as Mia Pinneberg (as Catharine Doucet)
- DeWitt Jennings as Emil Kleinholz
- G.P Huntley as Herr Heilbutt (as G.P. Huntley Jr.)
- Muriel Kirkland as Marie Kleinholz
- Fred Kohler as Karl Goebbler
- Mae Marsh as Wife of Karl Goebbler
- Donald Haines as Emil Kleinholz Jr.
- Christian Rub as Herr Puttbreese
- Alan Mowbray as Franz Schluter
References
- Hall, Mordaunt (2011). "Little Man, What Now?". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. Baseline & All Movie Guide. Archived from the original on May 20, 2011. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
- D. W. (November 25, 1934). "TAKING A LOOK AT THE RECORD". New York Times. ProQuest 101193306.
External links
Categories:- 1934 films
- 1934 drama films
- American black-and-white films
- American drama films
- American remakes of German films
- Films based on German novels
- Films directed by Frank Borzage
- Films set in 1930
- Films set in 1931
- Films set in 1932
- Films set in Germany
- Great Depression films
- Universal Pictures films
- Works about the Weimar Republic
- 1930s English-language films
- 1930s American films
- Films based on works by Hans Fallada
- Films scored by Arthur Kay (musician)
- English-language drama films