Original subtitles

♪ Way back when in 1863,

♪ Now part of the American lore,

♪ A young family must leave their home

♪ Because of 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 all on their way,

♪ Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy!

I just hate secrets,

especially when they're kept from me,

but this was going to be one of those days

when secrets caused a few people a great deal of trouble.

Welcome home, sir.

Thank you, Johnson.

I'll be going net door for a visit.

It's very slippery, sir, shall I give you a hand?

Nonsense, I'll be just fine.

I'm expecting a man from the local newspaper to arrive soon.

When he comes, tell him I'll be back shortly.

Of course, sir.

Oh dear!

I'm all right.

Whoa up there.

Oh sir, Mr Laurence, good day.

Hello sir, my name is Anthony Boone.

I've come to interview you for the Newcord Times.

Oh, yes.

You've arrived early, young man.

I'm sorry about that sir, I can wait.

No no, it's all right.

I'm going to be detained for a moment.

Why don't you wait in my house.

Thank you.

I'm visiting my neighbor's daughter

who's just getting over scarlet fever.

You must be talking about the little March girl, Beth.

Yes, are you familiar with the March family, Anthony?

Yes sir I am.

I was the person who first showed them this house.

I know them well.

Oh, is that a fact?

Yes.

Well then forget about waiting, and come inside with me.

Yes, all right.

We're liable to become snowmen

if we stand our here much longer.

Huh?

Oh, hello Theodore, we've come over to visit Beth,

and hey what's the matter?

Nothing, I'll see you back home.

Hi, why don't you come in Mr. Laurence?

What's bothering him?

The minute he saw me he ran away.

Has he been into some kind of mischief?

Huh?

No, it's nothing.

How about coming inside Mr. Laurence?

Very strange.

I'm here too.

Hi Jo!

Oh Anthony.

How do you always manage to pop up so unexpectedly.

Milky!

Beth.

Yes, what is it, Amy?

Old Mr. Laurence just arrived

to see how you're feeling,

but first he stopped downstairs to talk to Marmee.

Didn't I hear Lorie downstairs as well?

You did, but something must've happened.

For some reason Marmee scolded him,

and he went running back home.

Really?

I wonder why?

He must've done something pretty awful.

Marmee doesn't get involved in these matters

unless it's really important.

Down, Milky.

Run along now.

He apologized.

I was listening as Lorie went over

to Meg and said I'm sorry Meg.

Then she said, "All right" and he left.

Imagine that.

Yeah, my hearing is very good, isn't it Beth?

It certainly is.

Did you hear them say anything else?

Yes, I believe Lorie wrote Meg some kind of letter.

I think he proposed to her.

Proposed?

Amy, are you absolutely sure of that?

Yes, but he was only fooling around,

and he hurt Meg's feelings.

Poor Meg.

Anything else?

Yes, more.

I also overheard Marmee talking to Mr. Laurence.

He wants to know what happened,

and she didn't want to tell him.

Isn't this story just the best?

I wish I knew a lot more of it though.

Hold on Amy.

I think I've been so sick that I forgot Jo's already told me

about all this, but have you been making up some of it?

Well some of it is made up,

but I promise you most of it is real.

I think we'd better get to the bottom of this story.

I wonder, John Brooke.

What about John Brooke?

I remember now; I know what happened.

You know what?

Well?

Jo told me about it last night.

How come I'm always the last one to find out anything?

Jo could've told me when she told you,

and why didn't you tell me?

Well, I think I must've been half-asleep last night, Amy.

I felt very sick, but Jo kept right on talking to me.

I imagine that Marmee and Meg must be fed right up to here

with all of Lorie's mischievous little pranks.

Beth, you must tell me what happened!

Tell me everything!

All right Amy, I'll do my very best.

Lorie was very angry at Jo

and wanted to get back at her

because she kept a secret from him.

But how would he get back at Jo by proposing to Meg?

He didn't propose to Meg.

Well then, what did he write?

Well, I'm afraid this will be very confusing for you,

but I think Lorie wrote a letter

to Meg with John's name on it.

John Brooke?

What did it say?

Well he did write Meg a proposal,

but he signed the letter with John Brooke's signature.

When Marmee found out she blamed Jo

for telling Lorie about Meg and John.

That's how Lorie got back at Jo.

No one outside the family is supposed

to know about Meg and John.

That's it, so Lorie knows it all.

Mother may've made him promise not to tell,

but I be Jo will tell me everything I want to know

if I ask her the right way.

Is anyone in?

Sounds like Mr. Laurence is here.

Come in please.

Hi Mr. Laurence, it's good to see you as always.

Well Good afternoon.

You're looking a lot better today Beth.

Thank you, I feel better too.

Here, have a seat sir.

I'll see you later Beth, I'm going to go find Jo.

I hear that you're walking now.

Yes, I am.

Take care.

You mustn't overwork yourself.

I know, but it's really difficult.

I've been in bed so long I just want to get up

and run around the whole house sometimes.

I can understand how you feel,

but if you take things too quickly

you might have a dreadful relapse.

I miss my piano so much.

I practice here.

Ah, you'll be back at the piano before you know it.

Where is Jo?

I haven't seen her anywhere.

She's out in the yard.

Oh, in this terrible weather?

That's right.

What's she doing out there?

I think she's talking to Anthony.

It must be freezing out there.

Well, doesn't seem to bother them.

Anthony likes her.

So?

So?

You know what Meg?

I hope you're not mad at Jo

because of that letter you got from Lorie.

It wasn't her fault he wrote it, you know.

Did you read it, Amy?

Huh?

You went in my room and read it, didn't you?

No Meg, I wouldn't do that.

Then how else would you know about

that forged letter I got from Lorie.

I can't imagine Marmee or Jo letting you know.

Why is everyone so interested in this?

My feelings for John should be private.

Meg, I was only curious to know

why Lorie got a scolding and that's all.

I'm sorry if I also found out too much about you and John.

It was only an accident.

Well next time you'll know better.

you mean that it's actually true?

Lorie really did write you that letter, Meg?

Yes it's true.

Oh, so that means Beth was right all the time.

Don't tell me Beth knows all about this as well?

You mustn't pay me any mind.

Meg, don't you wonder what Jo and Anthony

are talking about outside?

Huh?

Not really, Amy.

Friendly professional advice, Jo.

If you really want to be an author

you'll have to read more books and go more places,

but the most important thing for you to do

is to go out in the world and meet more people of all kinds.

Jo, literature is the investigation of the human condition.

Investigation?

That's right.

That's what writing is about,

but no writer has to do the intense research

that a novelist must do.

They must completely create their characters.

Okay, I think I know what you mean.

Let me explain it a little bit more.

As I sit down to begin to write and start work once again,

I think for a while about who I am.

Haven't you ever done that?

Well, no Anthony.

I've never tried.

Well then, you must begin immediately,

and you should also start investigating

other people as well.

People from varied walks of life.

Anybody and everybody.

Did you hear what I just said?

That I must start meeting people.

As I told you the other day,

you're going to have to leave here eventually

because there's more you need to experience

beyond Newcord, and that's why I'm moving

to New York City, Jo,

because it's so big with lots of people.

Oh, you have a cold.

Why don't we go inside?

Please, don't worry.

It's only my nose itching me.

Well, on second thought Jo, I guess I.

You poor thing, come on.

Let's go Mr Boone.

I'm ready for that interview now.

Certainly.

Bye Jo.

Bye!

Welcome back home, sir.

Where is Theodore?

Up in his room, sir.

Is that so?

Johnson, escort Mr. Boone the the library.

I'm going up to have a few.

Right this way, Mr. Boone.

Thank you.

What's wrong, what are you up to?

What do you mean?

What did you do, Theodore?

You're obviously guilty about something.

That was quite apparent the instant

I entered the March's and you went running home.

When I asked Mrs. March she was very vague with her answer.

Well, tell me what you did.

The sooner I know the sooner

I can go over there and remedy this situation.

Speak up.

I can't tell you, sir.

Mrs. March made me promise that I wouldn't.

I promised that I wouldn't discuss this with anyone.

Not even with me?

I'm sorry, but I made a promise.

Forget that.

I am your grandfather.

I'm not supposed to talk about it.

If you want to know you'll have to ask Mrs. March.

Excuse me.

Tell me, Theodore.

Forget about Mrs. March.

Grandfather, please step aside.

I won't.

One day you will regret this act of disrespect.

Now come to your senses boy and tell me what's happening.

I will not let you tarnish the Laurence name!

I'm sorry, but I can't break my promise,

and nothing you say will change my mind.

You impudent ungrateful child!

Speak up or I'll!

No, never!

That does it!

Ow!

Theodore!

Come back Theodore!

I'm sorry, I didn't mean it.

I hate him!

Yes, he's still waiting in here, sir.

All right, if I must.

What an ungrateful pup he is.

Huh?

Oh, sorry.

You have a lovely house here sir.

Thank you.

No no, please sit.

Mr. Boone, yesterday I kept you waiting at my office

and now I detain you in my home.

I hope you will accept my sincere apology

for this constant tardiness.

Of course.

You're grandson really seems to be upset, doesn't he?

So you heard.

I fear Theodore is extremely immature.

He seems to be totally lacking in old-fashioned discipline.

As you know, you can't make living

without a lot of hard work,

and without discipline you're lost.

Go on, start asking me your questions, Mr. Boone.

Very well, sir.

Let me just get out my book.

My first question is why is your new steamship

being built in England rather than here?

Ah, my reasoning is directly related

to our country's present state of war.

You see, the United States shipbuilding industry

is only making battleships,

so I had no where to turn but England.

My company needs ships right away.

A perfect example of the war's drain on our resources.

Money that would've been spent here is now going overseas.

Now next sir, I'd like you to tell me who

you think will win this devastating civil war.

Gladly, I'm positive the northern armies will prevail.

We must not lose.

We must preserve the union.

I hope you're right.

Mr. Laurence, for my next question

I'd like to ask you're opinion

on the current state of affairs concerning.

I'd better watch my step.

Whoa!

Mr. Johnson, do you have any idea where I could find Lorie?

Yes ma'am, Theodore had a terrible argument

with his grandfather so he ran upstairs

and locked himself in his room.

I doubt if he's in any mood to entertain visitors.

His door has been closed for two hours.

He won't come out?

No, and the master has gone

and locked himself in the library.

Both of them are quite stubborn, I fear.

Mr. Johnson.

Yes ma'am?

I came to return a book which

I borrowed recently from Mr. Laurence.

Can I give it to him?

I think it's best if we both avoid master

at the moment, Ms. Josephine.

Mr. Boone is gone, and now the master

is waiting for Lorie to apologize to him.

What a dreadful situation.

Maybe Lorie will talk to me.

Go away!

Stop knocking, I'm not coming out!

Stop it!

Can't you hear!

Hello.

What do you want?

It's not a very good day, is it?

I apologize for the scolding that mother gave you

and the trouble it's been causing.

Why are you apologizing, Jo?

I was the one who wrote that stupid letter.

But I feel responsible for it somehow.

I never should've mentioned John or Meg to you.

Let's forget about it.

Did you know my grandfather hit me because of it?

Mr. Johnson did mention an argument,

but I didn't realize it was that serious.

Why is he so mad at you, anyway?

It was because I wouldn't tell him

why your mother scolded me.

I promised her that I wouldn't tell anyone else

about Meg and John, and because of that

I couldn't tell my grandfather

about the letter that I wrote.

So I got slapped in the face for keeping my promise.

If it had been anybody else would've hit him back.

I don't think I'll ever want

to speak to my grandfather again.

I think maybe you should try to talk to him now.

I really doubt that he meant to hit you.

He meant it, Jo.

I don't want to see him.

If he's really sorry about having hit me

let him come up here and apologize.

Then nothing is ever going to be settled.

Well I don't feel I'm the one who's in the wrong.

I told him I had made a promise,

and he doesn't even believe me.

You're as stubborn as he is.

How will this end?

Who cares?

I don't intend to continue living here

much longer anyway, Jo.

You don't?

I'm going to be taking a trip.

A trip?

I think I'll go to Washington and visit with Mr. Brooke.

He and I will have a great time.

After what I've been going through in this house,

I think I've earned the right to have fun for a change.

Washington D.C.

You'll have fun.

I wish I were running away with you.

Why don't you go with me, Jo?

It'll be perfect!

First the two of us could pay your father a surprise visit,

and then we could go see Mr. Brooke at his place, all right?

We could leave this afternoon.

By nightfall, we could be well on our way out of Newcord

and heading south for fun and adventure.

I think it would do both of us a world of good.

You won't need any money because I've got more

than enough for the two of us,

and we'll leave a letter so everybody knows where we went.

To visit father, Washington, how about New York?

We could go to New York too if you want.

If only I were a boy I would go along with you, Lorie,

but I must be a proper girl and stay here at home.

Oh, but you do tempt me though.

It's a wonderful plan Lorie,

and I do wish I could go with you.

Jo, just think about all the fun we could have.

No, forget about it.

I can't do it.

Maybe when I'm a little older,

and Anthony was just telling me how wonderful New York is.

Oh really?

I didn't know he'd ever been there, Jo.

Yes, and he told me he's going back

next year to work for a newspaper.

Lucky him.

What's more, Anthony's not going there

to run away from anybody, Lorie.

I think it's best that when I go

I should have similar reasons.

You should also consider that,

because you can't run away from your problems Lorie.

It's very easy for you to sit here and talk, Jo,

but you don't have to live with my grandfather.

How can I make you understand?

How about this then.

If I get your grandfather to apologize

will you give up your idea of running away?

Apologize?

Grandfather would never do that, Jo, not in 1,000 years.

Who is it?

It's Josephine March, Mr. Laurence.

I've come to return a book.

Oh, please come in.

Oh yes, would you like another?

Why yes, I would very much like

to read Boswell, Mr. Laurence.

The second edition would suit me just fine.

You'll find it there behind you.

You'll have to reach it with the stepstool.

Thanks.

Yes, of course.

It's to your right.

Oh, I see it.

He's the finest biographer in literature.

Oh?

Jo dear, what's Theodore doing?

I believe you've been up to his room, haven't you?

Yes, but.

Don't try and protect him, Josephine.

I know he's been up to something.

Did Theodore do something untoward at your house?

No!

I can't get a word from him,

and when I threatened to shake it out

of him he bolted upstairs to his room

and locked the door.

We did have a problem with Lorie Mr. Laurence,

but we've all forgiven him for it now,

and my mother made Lorie promise not

to tell anybody what happened.

That's not good enough.

He shall not hide himself behind a promise

to you soft-hearted women.

If he's done anything amiss he shall be punished for it.

Out with it, Jo.

I won't be kept in the dark anymore.

I'm sorry, but I promised not to talk about it either.

Lorie has apologized,

and he's been punished enough already.

We don't keep our silence to shield him

but rather someone else.

There'll be more trouble if you interfere, sir.

I wish you wouldn't force

the matter any further, Mr. Laurence.

All right, my child.

Good, now we can forget about it.

How about if I try reading the book Rocellus as well, sir?

Nevermind about that.

Come down here right now Josephine.

I want you to give me your word

he holds his tongue because of a promise.

If that is indeed the case

and he's not just being obstinate I will forgive him.

Thanks.

Be careful Jo!

Hold on!

I never thought I'd be doing this.

You'll be glad.

Me writing out an apology.

Well, I honestly believe

it'll be good for both of you, sir.

This will make Lorie see how foolishly

he's been dealing with you, see?

Do you think that I don't treat my grandson well?

Oh dear no sir.

Not in the least.

In fact, you're almost too kind sometimes,

but you are a trifle hasty when Lorie tries your patience.

Your temper is really legendary around here.

What do you think of that, sir?

I've heard that before.

Indeed I am hasty.

I really do love that boy,

but sometimes he pushes me past bearing.

I do greatly regret the blow I gave him though.

Here's my formal letter of apology.

That's for your efficient diplomacy, thank you.

Well!

Lorie you don't have to open the door.

I'll just slip this formal letter of apology

which I got for you right under the door.

There you go.

I'll see you later, Lorie.

You should go downstairs and see your grandfather now,

and make up with him.

Wait up!

Lorie!

I just wanted to thank you, jo.

This is for being such a wonderful friend.

Lorie what are you doing?

Calm down, Jo.

It was only a little kiss,

and I'll always be sure to look you up

every time my grandfather and I

have one of our little arguments.

Except I'd prefer it if both of you

don't kiss me next time.

Now go and eat dinner.

Excuse my tardiness.

It's all right.

The food smells wonderful.

I'm glad you're here Theodore, enjoy dinner.

There you are Jo, we were looking everywhere for you.

Sorry.

Where were you?

We couldn't wait any longer.

That's all right.

I'm really not very hungry anyway, Amy.

Where did you go?

Somewhere.

It wasn't far.

To settle a little difference.

Well, Jo, are you going to tell us about it?

What was the difference that you settled?

None of your business, Amy.

I think you've caused enough trouble today.

As usual, I'll be the last one

to find out what Jo's up to.

I bet she knows something about Lorie

and Mr. Laurence that she's not telling.

I'll get to the bottom of this eventually.

No one can keep a secret from me very long.

Slow down Amy!

♪ 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.