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 ♪

Here's is your blanket, sir.

Thank you.

All right. Let's go.

Hyah!

Stay bundled up, sir.

It's very cold out today.

Hold the horses here for a minute, will you please?

Of course, sir.

Beth?

Oh, are you leaving now, mother?

Yes.

Oh, one thing.

Beth, were you planning to go next door this afternoon?

Not until I finish my chores.

Don't stay too long, all right you've been spending a

lot of time there and i wouldn't want you to take

advantage of Mr. Lawrence's kindness.

Maybe I'll just stay home.

You don't have to stay home.

Just don't stay too long.

I know how much you love that piano.

No, I don't.

Honest.

Oh, don't be silly.

I'm not.

Mr. Lawrence doesn't seem to want me to play the piano

over there anymore.

I don't think it makes him happy when I go to his house

to play.

I'm sure he likes your playing as much as we all do.

He doesn't act like it.

Beth, some people are more reserved.

They're not as demonstrative as we are.

Yeah. I guess so.

You mean like when i gave him the slippers.

I didn't think he liked them but then I saw him wearing

them when I was there yesterday.

His wearing the slippers was Mr. Lawrence's way of

telling you how much he liked them.

Why, yes!

That's right.

You see.

You likes you, dear.

Mr. Lawrence, sir.

Perhaps you would like me to go up to the house and ask

about her for you?

No, Dan.

We'll just wait for her.

She'll be coming right out.

She leaves the house everyday about the same time.

Huh.

There she is.

Oh.

Well, good morning to you, Mrs. march.

Hello, Mr. Lawrence.

What is it, sir?

I was just wondering if i could drive you into town

this morning.

I'd like a word with you.

Is something wrong?

It's nothing wrong, i assure you.

It's about your daughter Beth and her piano playing.

I see.

Of course I'll come along.

Good.

Then we'll have a nice little chat and then I'll drop you

at the soldier's aid society.

You really must accept.

My daughter's piano is of no use to us any longer.

I see.

Please, sir, understand my reluctance.

A gift such as that is so much for a young girl.

Too big a gift, huh?

The pleasure that Beth's playing has brought me is ten

times as great.

Beth?

Wait a minute, Beth.

Where are you off to?

Next door.

Have you finished up all your chores?

Yes, I have.

Well, all right but don't stay over there too long now.

Mind what your mama said about over staying

your welcome.

I know, Hannah.

It's all right.

Mr. Lawrence isn't there right now.

He drove up with marmee in his sled.

Beth, it don't matter if he drove off or not.

There's other folks living there like young Laurie.

You know he's studying hard for his college exams and I

imagine he needs a little peace and quiet, too.

You're usually so shy around strangers but not when you're

over there.

I know, Hannah.

That's because music is my best friend.

All right, then.

Until Sunday then.

That's fine, sir.

Thank you.

Get up there!

Oh, this is not working at all!

Oh, I know I'm supposed to write what I feel.

The only problem is i don't know what I feel.

It keeps changing.

Ugh!

I wonder if all great artistic novelists have

moments like these.

Jo?

Come in.

Jo, marmee says she wants to see us downstairs.

I'm too busy to go down there.

Tell marmee I'm working on my book and I'll be down in a

little while.

Jo, you're not working on your book at all.

I'm not going to argue!

Now get out of here before i get angry with you, Amy!

Ow! Marmee says she has something important to

tell us about Beth.

You have to come, Jo.

Why didn't you say so?

What's going on around here and how come I'm always the

last one to find out?

What are you talking about?

What's wrong with Beth?

I want to know.

There's nothing wrong.

That's not what Amy said.

She said to come right down.

I didn't mean something was wrong.

On the contrary Beth is in for a big surprise.

I don't want to say anything to Beth before we discuss it.

Mr. Lawrence is giving her her daughter's old piano and

I want to surprise her.

Wait a minute.

I'm lost here.

What's all this about Beth getting a piano?

Start from the beginning and tell us everything.

All right.

It all started this morning when Mr. Lawrence gave me a

ride into town.

So that's why you rode into town with him.

To get a piano?

No, Jo.

Please let me tell the story.

I'm sorry, go on.

Thank you.

Anyway as I was saying we were riding into town.

Mr. Lawrence was telling me the very sad story of how he

lost his beloved daughter many years ago.

She was a fine pianist.

He's giving Beth her piano.

Yes.

Now I see.

Me too.

Here's what I thought.

Let us make this all a truly big surprise for Beth.

I understand.

We'll keep this a secret among ourselves.

That's right.

The piano is supposed to be delivered here on Sunday.

Sunday?

You mean it's going to be delivered here tomorrow?

Uh-huh.

Well, I see.

And we're going to have to keep her out of the house,

aren't we?

Oh, Jo.

What a grand morning!

1, 2.

Hey, good morning, Laurie.

How are you?

Hello.

What?

I said hello, Jo.

Wait.

I can't hear you.

I better come over there.

I was thinking about you.

How is your skating coming along?

My skating?

Oh, it's simply dreadful.

I could give you a lesson a little later if you want.

I won't be able to today.

Oh, that's right.

I forgot about the piano.

I'd love to learn though.

Could you give me a lesson at some other time?

Will you be free tomorrow?

In the afternoon.

Oh good.

We can go skating then.

Hmm that would be great.

Good morning, Amy.

Where's Beth gone?

Doing chores.

She shouldn't be doing chores.

She should be next door playing the piano.

I told her that but she wouldn't believe me.

Why are you cleaning that thing?

You'll never have to play that old piano anymore, Beth.

It's not all that bad, Jo.

Besides I do have to start playing it again.

What in the world are you talking about?

Well, I'm only saying that i won't be able to go over

and play Mr. Lawrence's piano all the time.

Oh, he's been real nice to let me come over there and

everything but marmee says i shouldn't intrude on his

kindness so much.

Oh, I wouldn't call it intruding.

You wouldn't?

Not at all.

He likes your music, Beth.

I know, I'll make a deal with you, ok?

You go over and play piano and I'll finish up here.

No. I better stay home.

You can't!

I mean why today?

You've been there everyday this week.

I know that, Jo.

But today is Sunday.

And Mr. Lawrence reads.

But he likes to listen to music while he reads.

That's what Laurie told me just this morning, Beth.

Maybe.

But still I've already decided not to go and play

piano today.

I don't get t.

Usually we can't keep you away from there.

I just don't think i should go over there today.

That's all.

How come everybody wants me to go?

Hannah and Meg asked me the same question when I was

cleaning up in the kitchen.

And Amy cornered me in the hallway insisting that I go

right over.

The only one who hasn't said anything to me so far

is marmee.

She wants you to go, too.

Huh?

We all want you to.

So does Mr. Lawrence and Laurie.

I don't get it.

Yesterday everybody said not to.

Now today everyone is saying that I should go over there

more often.

I don't understand what's going on.

What is going on around here?

I don't know whether i should go over there or not.

What should I do?

Well, you want to become a great pianist one day,

don't you?

That's what we all want.

Sure.

Then you should go.

Because practice makes perfect, doesn't it?

Jo finally convinced Beth to go over and play

the piano.

I couldn't help but feeling a little bit sad for

Beth though.

She wasn't happy about going like she usually is.

Oh look, Jo.

Beth looks so sad.

That's ok.

That will make our surprise even better.

Poor little thing.

She doesn't know what to think.

I know.

When does the piano get here?

Real soon now.

Laurie and I are going to the warehouse to pick

it up.

Well, what's going on?

So far so good.

Good.

No one let on, did they?

No.

She doesn't have any idea.

Good. She's busy.

Now is the time to get her piano.

Is she ever going to be surprised.

Yes?

I guess I'll be going now, grandfather.

Very well then.

I'll be coming over a little later.

Fine. I'll tell Mrs. march.

Bye.

Theodore. Please don't shut the door.

Ok.

Bring it around to the side, men.

Very well, sir.

This is grandfather's very first office but we haven't

used for anything except storage in the past

five years.

It's freezing!

Has it always been this cold in here?

No. Not always.

Do you see that furnace over there.

I used to sit there and warm myself after school.

That all seems so long ago.

Master lorie oh! Oh!

Here, Johnson.

Here we are, men.

Great.

Put that in that corner over there.

Huh?

Good afternoon.

Hi.

Hello, grandfather.

We just finished moving it.

Splendid, I hope it wasn't any trouble.

No, sir, not at all.

Good.

Well, Mrs. march, I hope everything meets with

your satisfaction.

Oh yes, the piano is very beautiful sir.

Even more beautiful than you described it yesterday.

My pleasure.

I've also brought some music.

It belonged to my daughter as well.

My goodness.

You're much too generous.

Nonsense.

One more thing, a note thanking Beth for

her kindness.

Your generosity has been truly overwhelming.

Not at all.

It's nothing.

Hannah was about to make us some tea.

Please would you care to join us, sir?

No thank you.

Theodore and I should be getting home.

Besides if we're still around when Beth returns home, we're

liable to ruin your big surprise.

I don't know Beth will react.

She's such a shy little girl.

I hope you'll understand if she doesn't come right over

to thank you.

Don't worry, ma'am.

In fact, I am the one who should be grateful to

your daughter.

She's restored some fond memories I had of my

own daughter.

However there is still one thing.

I'd still like her to come play for me.

I'm sure she will.

Huh.

Theodore, come along then.

We must be going.

Yes sir.

Madam.

Mr. Lawrence sir, on behalf of all of us I'd like

to say thank you.

Your all quite welcome.

Good day.

Will I be seeing you tomorrow, Laurie?

If you like.

Goodbye, Jo.

Listen, she's still playing.

She really does play beautifully doesn't

she, grandfather?

Uh-huh.

Ah. Mmm.

Beth!

Oh my!

Get ready.

Here she comes!

Hey, Beth! Come on!

Hurry up!

Get in here. We have a big surprise for you!

Huh?

What's going on around here?

Why is everyone acting so strange?

Huh?

Well?

What is...

Surprise, Beth! Ta da!

Whose piano is that?

It's your piano now.

Do you like it?

My piano?

That's right, Beth.

Mr. Lawrence sent it.

Come on over here and have a look at it.

He did? Oh.

Whose this letter for?

It's for you, silly.

From James Lawrence.

What do you know about that.

He wrote me a letter!

I know.

Maybe you should open it up.

We're all eager to hear what he has to say.

Would you mind reading it aloud, Beth?

I don't mind but I can't.

You read it.

If I do, I'll cry.

Okay, now.

Let's see.

Beth dearest.

To Beth dearest?

How wonderful and romantic Mr. Lawrence is.

Jo!

I'm sorry.

Thank you, Beth.

The slippers you gave to me the other day are the most

beautiful I've ever seen.

How did you know my favorite flower?

Anyway, I thought you should know that I'm a man who

always appreciates kindness and likes to reciprocate

whenever possible.

Oh.

Many years ago there was another girl who used to live

in our house and who also used to play the piano as

much as you do.

Her name was Catherine and she was my beloved daughter.

This piano used to belonged to Catherine.

It brought her much joy and pleasure as I'm hoping it

will for you too.

Please accept it in the spirit of friendship for

which it is given.

Oh yes, I almost forgot.

There's one condition attached.

That you occasionly come over and play for the old

gentleman next door who dearly loves your music.

Your friend, James.

Isn't that beautiful?

Yes, it is.

Uh-huh.

It's obvious that Mr. Lawrence must have loved

his little daughter so very much.

He even sent along some of the musical scores she would

often play for him.

And to think he wants you to have all of it!

Oh!

And all the time you were worried he wouldn't like you.

I know I was but he really does like me.

Bet, you should very closely at all the

exquisite detail.

It's really quite beautiful.

The fine velvet draping with gold fringe.

And look at the inlay work.

It's magnificent.

There's even a matching velvet stool.

You know why there's candles?

That's so you can practice after dark.

I know what.

Beth, why don't you play a little song for us right now?

Go on.

Play!

I want to hear how it sounds.

Ok.

I'll play it for you.

We were all real happy for Beth.

Her new piano was just like a dream come true for her.

I guess it was a dream come true for all of us because we

got to listen to her play.

Beth, why did you stop playing?

It's just because I want to go over to the lawrences.

But Beth, you've already been over there playing the

piano all morning long.

So can I go over to thank Mr. Lawrence, marmee.

Of course.

Please.

Mr. Lawrence would surely like that.

Come in, Theodore.

Let me just finish this page.

It's not Laurie.

Huh?

Oh.

It's me.

I... wanted to thank you.

Your daughter's piano is so very beautiful.

It's your piano now.

I'll be real careful with it.

I promise.

I mean I'll love that piano forever and ever.

Oh thank you!

Thank you!

Now. Now. That's ok.

I'll come and play piano for you any time,

Mr. Lawrence.

I promise.

Good.

Whoa!

Oh!

What are you doing down there, Jo?

Get up.

I can't do it.

Ah!

I can see you've got a lot to learn.

What?

We'll try it again.

No!

Why not?

Don't you want to learn how to skate?

You know you have to practice if you ever want

to be perfect.

Hey, I think you've been talking to Beth, haven't you?

You bet.

She told me the whole story how you tricked her so she'd

be surprised when she got her new piano.

So you've been talking about me behind my back!

Oh!

You'll see who needs to practice or not!

Oh!

Aah!

Look out!

The sound of Beth's sweet music once again filled our

house from morning until night.

That is except when she was over Mr. Lawrence's house

playing for him.

I guess Beth is about the luckiest girl in the

whole wide world!

♪ '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 ♪