Original subtitles

♪ Way back when in 1863, now part of the American lore ♪

♪ a young family must leave their home ♪

♪because of the civil war ♪

♪ living their lives in a brand new town ♪

♪doing the best they can ♪

♪ four little women are on their own ♪

♪ looking to make their stand ♪

♪ fortunes of war can change their way ♪

♪we imagine their lives will be ♪

♪ the march family are on their way ♪

♪ Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy ♪

Gotcha!

You better get back in your cage.

Now, Polly...

Come on now.

I'm not going to try to catch you.

Just hold still now and ah!

Oh!

Ah.

Oh!

Ugh!

Polly! You hateful bird! Ugh!

Polly, it's lunch time.

Time to get back in your cage.

Polly, get back here!

Beth! Beth!

That bird is driving me crazy!

She should be tied up in your cage.

You can't blame her for wanting to fly around

after being cooped up all day.

[Wings flapping

Don't bother me!

Don't bother me!

Gotcha!

Oh, good.

You finally caught her.

She never shuts up.

Stupid people! Stupid people!

Now, settle down.

Amy, I think you'd better take Polly up to

auntie's room, okay?

I believe aunt Marge is still napping, Jo.

Hello, marmee.

Where are you going?

I'm going into town.

Aunt Marge is taking a nap upstairs so you be sure to

tell her I stepped out when she awakens.

All right.

You going to the real estate office?

Yes, Amy.

I'll be going there, too.

I sure hope we're in our own house soon.

So do I.

Mother, do you think it would be all right for me

to use the library for a while this afternoon?

Aunt march was taking a nap so I couldn't ask her,

but do you think she would mind, marmee?

Well, better wait and ask her.

Are you going out now, ma'am?

Uh-huh.

But I'll only be gone for a little while, Hannah.

How are you getting along in the kitchen?

Fine. Just fine.

Me and dorothea are getting along real good in

the kitchen, ma'am.

Meg here has been a real good help to me naturally

and dorothea has been showing me where

everything is.

Please, mother, we must find a place of our own in

which to live.

Yes, we will, dear.

Now I want all of you girls to be behave while

I'm gone.

Yes, mother.

Oh, Amy, what with everything that's gone on

these last few days you haven't done much

studying, so I think it's time for you to get back

to your books, young lady.

And Meg, I would like you to tutor her.

All right.

But... it's summer vacation now!

But Amy, don't you remember?

Your weakest subject is mathematics and you

promised mother to study all summer long to improve

your grades.

Oh. I forgot I said I'd do that.

It was easy to forget with everything that's going on.

As long as you study a little bit everyday,

that's all we ask, darling.

All right?

I will.

Come in.

Aunt Marge, here we are.

Hello there, Harry.

Well, Josephine, how nice of you to look after Polly.

Not really.

Meg and the girls did actually.

They're all downstairs studying now, auntie.

Is that so?

If memory serves, your sister Beth doesn't even

go to school.

Yes. She rarely went to school.

As a matter of fact she was home most of the time

because of illnesses so papa taught her.

Of course the fact that Beth was shy and didn't

get along with the teacher at school contributed to

the problem.

Eh?

Your father is not a teacher at least as far as I know.

On the contrary, father is among the very best teachers.

He was even able to give me some very helpful

instructions on my writing.

Really?

I doubt that.

Unless of course he's changed considerably since

he was young which is unlikely.

As a young man he showed some promise but almost

immediately after entering college to study law,

he withdrew.

But he told me the reason he quit college was

because he just didn't think he was cut out

to be a lawyer.

I wanted to be him a lawyer or judge and then

run for public office.

He's become a very good civil engineer.

None the less he quit school and betrayed my trust.

Just because you pay someone's way through school

doesn't mean you can expect them to study something they hate.

I expect a lot more than that from a member of

this family.

Oh.

I believe we'd better change the subject now.

Let by gones be by gones and bury the past, I say.

Hmm. You forgive him, don't you?

And I can see you're still fond of him in spite of

what he may have done.

It's possible.

He was my favorite.

Aunt?

What?

I wonder, do you think i could use the downstairs

library for my work?

The library?

What do you want to use it for?

I'd read of course and it would also be a great

place to concentrate while I'm writing my book.

Book? Well...

I wouldn't hurt anything.

Honest I wouldn't.

You're just like your father.

I remember he always loved using it when ever he had

the chance.

Then does that mean I have

your permission?

Oh please!

I suppose it couldn't do any harm, but

what, makes you think you could write a novel?

Why, because I've already written one.

I think I'm going to be a great writer some... no, I

already am a great writer.

I'm sure of it.

Well, so you think you can make money writing books,

is that what you're saying to me?

You bet!

Stubborn girl!

Stubborn stubborn girl!

Rrra!

Oh be quiet, you foolish bird.

Please may I have your permission to use the library?

Please, aunt march?

If you ask me it should have been done.

It can't be helped, ma'am.

Unless it's a very old and run down house, I don't

believe you'll be able to find one that large for

such a small amount of money, not in this

market anyway.

Thank you.

I understand all that but i would appreciate your

best efforts and assistance in finding a

house like I've outlined in any event.

Hmm.

But that's practically impossible.

You'll at least try though, won't you?

Couldn't you afford to pay a little more money?

Uh-huh.

Oh.

Mmm.

Oh.

I left Amy to study her lessons.

Jo, what's the matter?

Did something happen?

Why are you crying, Jo?

What's made you so sad?

My stories move me to tears.

I didn't realize it's a truly great tragedy.

Yes, you must think it's good to react like

this, Jo.

But will other people think so?

Yes. I'm sure this will sell, Meg.

Just forget about it.

What can I do for you?

Well, I was wondering what kind of job is

suitable for me.

When did you decide to look for a job?

I haven't really decided yet.

But I thought I might try to help the family

financially by finding work.

Good idea.

We need to move into a big house.

That's going to cost money.

I think you'd be wonderful with kids.

You know, like a governess or a nanny or something

like that perhaps.

That's a wonderful idea.

There's nothing I'd rather do.

Or maybe a sales clerk in a nice shop of some kind.

I could do, too.

I'd find that kind of job quite enjoyable.

You'd be good doing either of those things, Meg.

Yes, I agree.

Then that settles that.

What do I do now?

It's easy.

We put an advertisement in the paper and wait for

a response.

An advertisement?

I couldn't.

Meg, it's nothing to be embarrassed about.

Tell you what, let's go and take a look in today's

newspaper and see if it gives us any ideas.

What's it called?

Oh yeah.

The newcord times.

That's the local newspaper.

I didn't know you read the newspaper, Margaret.

I'm very proud of you.

Thank you.

The times is a particularly good newspaper.

I read it myself.

I appreciate it.

How stupid people are!

Oh.

Stupid people!

Oh, do hush, Polly!

You can be so rude sometimes.

Look, Meg, here it is.

Bright 26 year old woman.

Good references seeking position.

Nurse or governess.

May contact through newspaper office. See?

Jo, that's the job for me.

All I have to do is change the age to 16.

You could also say how wonderful you are with

children and how beautiful, brilliant and

witty you are.

You aren't serious!

Oh, I've forgotten.

How much money do you have?

Why do you want to do?

I have no idea what it costs to place an

advertisement in the classifieds.

I certainly don't have very much.

I guess I'll just have to go down and ask them.

Jo, you don't have to do that.

There's something else i want to see them

about anyway.

Marmee! Marmee!

Hello.

What are you doing here, Jo?

What's this?

This is the soldier's aid society building.

The soldier's aid society.

Don't they help military personnel and their families?

That's right.

As a matter of fact the single most important work

they do is helping the families of soldiers.

And will they help us?

I didn't come here for assistance.

I came down here to see if there was something I

could do for them.

A lot of men have gone off to war from this town and

their families can use our help.

All of us.

Jo, you must know there are families that are much

worse off than we are.

God only knows when this war is going to be over,

but until then i volunteered to lend a hand.

I told them I would perform any service I can

in my own small way to help wounded soldiers.

They have so much to do, Jo.

They can use every bit of help we can give them and

then some on top of that, helping soldiers who have

sacrificed so much for us is a truly noble way of

spending one's time.

I never even thought of that and I should have.

Well, if you'd like me to I could sign you up as

a volunteer too, Jo.

I'd like that.

You still haven't told me what you're doing

in town.

Well...

Excuse me.

Go ahead and print it.

Yes?

May I be of some help?

What's on your mind?

I can come back later if I'm interrupting anything.

I wish that were true but we're not very busy

right now.

Huh?

I mean the stories for today have all been written.

I'm done editing, proof reading and so forth and

I'd be more than happy to help.

Now I'm all ears.

Well, I really appreciate your helping me.

You're welcome.

Well, I, um...

Now, just what is it you want from me?

Oh, it's here someplace.

I was wondering how much it would cost to run this

ad for a few days in your paper.

Hmm. Oh, yes.

How would you like to put it right here?

That would be fine.

It's 50 cents to run it the first time.

After that the rates are a little bit cheaper.

I'm sorry, but are you sure you haven't made some

kind of mistake?

No, ma'am.

Let me explain.

You see, if you only place an advertisement for the

one time, it won't be seen by enough folks.

That's why 3 days is what I recommend.

Yes, but what if my sister gets a job offer

after the second day of the ad's appearance?

Well, that being the case on the third day we

simply won't run it.

Does that mean you would refund some

of the money.

I'm afraid company policy forbids me to give

any refunds.

I think that's a rotten policy.

That's a feeling many people share.

That's why we only charge one dollar for the

three day advertisement.

In my humble opinion that certainly quite equitable.

Hey, gene?

Huh?

Come here for a second.

I can't make heads or tails out of this.

What now?

It's obvious I'm going to have to get you a new pair

of glasses.

Sorry. I'll just be a minute.

Now what is it you don't understand?

Let me see that.

Well, I guess it's now or never.

You'll have to move it.

Uh-huh.

Set it up.

We've got a deadline.

So what will it be, miss?

The one day or three day rate?

I won't be able to say, I'm afraid.

You see, it's my sister who is interested in

finding a job.

Then why didn't she come down to see me herself?

Because I have a very important matter to speak

to you about.

Well, time is a wasting.

Please step right into my office.

Have a seat.

Thank you.

Well, young lady, do you have a name?

My name is Josephine march but most people

prefer to call me Jo.

Please to meet you. I'm Henry murdock, the chief

editor and writer.

I'm also the head accountant, I handle

billing and sometimes even sweep up.

You wouldn't also happen to be the owner of

this paper, would you?

Yes. As a matter of fact I am.

You see, Mr. murdock,

we recently moved here from Pennsylvania.

Today was the first time I've had a chance to read

your paper and I must say I enjoyed it.

We're staying at our aunt's house and she's

been a subscriber for a long time.

That's why I decide today come down and talk to you.

Well, I'm glad she prefers us to

the competition.

If I do say so myself we do a much better job

covering the news.

Are you saying this town actually publishes

two newspapers?

Yes indeed.

And other one is much bigger.

Let me ask you something, does the other

paper print chapters of a novel on a daily basis?

Print a novel?

Yes, I believe they print portions of a novel from

time to time.

I bet subscribers would like to read novels maybe

even more than they would news.

In fact, I'm sure they would.

I've been thinking about that.

Anthony has been after me to print a novel in the

paper for months.

Have you actually been looking for one?

Yes.

Then today is your lucky day.

I brought this for you.

I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

Huh?

I've written a novel and if you want I'd be

very happy to give permission to print it in your newspaper, sir.

You mean you wrote this manuscript by yourself?

Of course.

And I'd like my name on it in a small fee, too.

You're going to charge me to print this book?

Yes. How am I to make a living?

After I've written a few I'll expect a raise, but

we'll talk about it.

Wait a minute.

You're moving pretty fast.

We're going to have to read your book and find

out if it's any good before we talk about

printing it in the paper.

I'm quite sure you'll enjoy reading it.

And I want you to know you're the first person

I've ever let see it in my entire life.

Oh no, my dear.

I won't be the one who reads it.

I'll be be giving did to Mr. Boone.

That's Anthony.

Writer I was telling you about earlier.

Mr. murdock, anyone who appreciates good books

will like mine.

Oh, here comes Anthony now.

Ahh.

Whoa!

No news around the harsher I presume.

Nothing really newsworthy.

What would you like a confederate battleship or

something firing at the town from off

the coastline?

That would wake them up.

I'm afraid my column is going to be nothing but a

blank page this week.

Probably nobody will notice.

Oh, by the way I want to you meet miss march.

I want you to take sometime and read the

novel she brought us.

What?

You heard me.

She wants you to print her novel to serialize

in the paper.

What you've been asking for.

What I said was if we can find a good one, we

should run it.

How old you say you were?

I'm 15 years old.

Pardon me but I don't think a 15 year old can

write a novel.

Why not, may I ask?

At 15 you don't have enough experience to make

it interesting, you know.

But I certainly have some imagination.

That's practically impossible.

Your imagination would be limited by your lack

of experience.

Does that mean you won't even read my novel

just because of my age?

That's right.

You catch on pretty quick for someone so wet behind

the ears.

I bet your mom and papa told you that was a real

professional piece of work.

How then might you describe my novel?

Pure trash in all probability.

Ugh!

If imagination is supposed to flower with age, then

yours is wilted.

I've never met such a pompous big headed fool!

Oh my! What language.

Well, she seems like a real nice girl.

Got a good head on her shoulders.

You know what I think?

I think you were a little harsh on her.

Consider it.

What if her novel turns out to be really good.

Have you given that any thought?

Come on.

I'd be willing to bet you this is just garbage.

I told her one of us was going to read it.

If you're not, then i guess I will.

Jo?

Whoa, there.

Want a ride?

No!

I guess you're in a bad mood, is that it?

How observant.

I've never been in a worst mood in my life.

You want to tell me about it?

It's not your business.

Leave me alone.

Oh. You really are mad, aren't you?

Please let me give you a lift that is if you're

headed straight home.

That aunt of ours is a very lonely old spinster.

I used to visit her often but not so much

here lately.

She would scream and yell at me for no reason at all

but I still would go by to see her

practically every day.

I'm a nice man who can be quite charming given the chance.

But aunt Marge certainly has changed a lot since

you and your family arrived.

I was wondering, is your mother really serious

about finding a house to move into?

Huh? If you don't mind, explain that?

Seems to me there's no need for you to move

what with being so cozy at aunt march's.

Free loading is a smart way to go.

Let me off this carriage!

Well!

It's nothing to be ashamed of, Jo.

I think it's pretty smart.

You are the most despicable... I want you to

know my family can't wait to move into our

own home someplace.

Huh.

Stop this carriage and let me off!

Yes, ma'am.

Whoa.

Good day!

Hmph.

Yeaw!

Imbecile!

Oh, oh, ah!

Hi, Jo. How did it go?

Get out of my way.

Oh, gosh.

I've never seen Jo so angry.

I wonder what in the world could have happened to

upset her so.

I decided not to ask her just then but to wait

until she'd calmed down a bit.

♪ Misfortunes of war can't change the way...

♪We imagine their lives to be...

♪The march family are on their way...

♪ Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy...