lugonian THE LITTLE MINISTER (RKO Radio, 1934), directed by Richard Wallace, stars Katharine Hepburn in her sixth feature film. Following her offbeat performance as a hillbilly girl in SPITFIRE (1934), Hepburn was brought back to formula material that suited her best – a period piece costume drama the studio hoped that would equal or surpass her remarkable performance as Jo March in LITTLE WOMEN (1933). As much as a sequel to LITTLE WOMEN might have been evident for Hepburn, interestingly enough, a sequel, titled LITTLE MEN (Mascot Studios, 1934), did get made, but for another studio casting Erin O'Brien-Moore as the new but married Jo. So another "Little" story was selected, THE LITTLE MINISTER by James M. Barrie, author whose best known work being, "Peter Pan," a title character that Hepburn might have excelled had anyone ever thought of that particular possibility, but then again ...Opening title: "The year is 1840 – Our story is laid in the little unweaving town of Thrums in Scotland at a period where life was still simple." The story opens with the Scottish villagers of Thrums awaiting for the arrival of the new minister. The minister, Gavin Dishart (John Beal) comes out of the carriage with his mother (Beryl Mercer) to meet with Mr. Carfrae (Herbert Bunston), the old minister now entering retirement, and settle into his home of many years at the nearby church. During his first sermon, Gavin earns respect from the congregation by standing up against the tough drunkard, Rob Dow (Alan Hale), whom he later guides to a better life against drinking and becoming a better father to his young son, Miscah (Billy Watson). Hearing someone singing on the Sabbath, Gavin goes to the woods to investigate, meeting with a gypsy girl (Katharine Hepburn) to read her the sheriff's warning sign of proclamation, thus her laughing it off and running away. Later the gypsy girl, Barbara, better known as Babbie, tricks the minister into sounding three blasts of the horn that, unknown to him, is to alert villagers of soldiers arriving to round up militant labor leaders. She also goes against the minister for his speaking out for peace by starting a riot against soldiers headed by Captain Halliwell (Reginald Denny), as well as passing herself off as the minister's wife to get past the head guard (Charles Coleman) ordered to have her arrested. Because Gavin is talked out of helping Doctor McQueen (Donald Crisp) from moving an old woman, Nanny (Mary Gordon), from her home and into the poor house, it is believed Gavin's involvement with Babbie, whose possible connection with Lord Rintoul (Frank Conroy), a member of nobility living with his sister, Evalina (Eily Malyon) in the castle on the hill, might disgrace him and lose his position as "The Little Minister." Not as well known as Hepburn's frequently revived LITTLE WOMEN, THE LITTLE MINISTER, which had gone through several prior screen adaptations in the silent era, two alone in 1921, proved to be a logical choice for the role of Babbie. The casting of stage actor, John Beal, in his third movie performance, might have paved the way for a new and uprising actor on the rise, but while Beal did star and co-star in numerous films over the years, including another with Hepburn in BREAK OF HEARTS (1935), assuming a secondary role to Charles Boyer's leading man status, Beal, not so little for the title role, simply failed to win any iconic stature of a Clark Gable or Tyrone Power. Yet, of all his movies, THE LITTLE MINISTER is qualified to be his best solely because he's its central figure in a major 110 minute motion picture. Overall, it's Kate Hepburn or followers of James Barrie's work to be the sole reason for watching this screen adaptation today.Others in the cast include Andy Clyde as Wearywood, the policeman who fails to get any respect and authority from the villagers; Lumsden Hare (Tammas Whammond); Dorothy Stickney (Jean); Harry Beresford (John Spens); and in smaller roles, Byron Foulger, E.E. Clive and Brandon Hurst. Aside from actors speaking with Scottish dialects, the feel of merry old Scotland is felt throughout with its scenery and frequent underscoring to traditional Scottish tunes.Distributed to home video dating back to the 1980s, and much later onto DVD from Turner Home Entertainment, THE LITTLE MINISTER did have frequent cable television revivals over the years, such as American Movie Classics prior to 2001, and Turner Classic Movies. Let's hope someday TCM will show the completed THE LITTLE MINISTER by restoring its closing cast credits normally presented on other cable networks and VHS, as it did with other RKO Radio TCM titles of THE GAY Divorcée (1934), THE TOAST OF NEW YORK (1937) and CAREFREE (1938). (****)

MartinHafer "The Little Minister" is a very strange film. In some ways, it's very enjoyable and in other ways it's just odd. The oddest thing about this film is the casting. While Katharine Hepburn is able to approximate a Scottish accent reasonably well, casting her as a Gypsy (also called by the term 'Egyptian' in the film--an archaic word for Gypsy) is awfully strange. I just found this very hard to believe. I also found the main conflict in the film to be baffling--and didn't know exactly what the point was of this film! But, the acting was very nice--so it least it's not horrible to watch.John Beal plays the titular character--a new minister to a church in a Scottish village. At first all is very well--the congregation like his messages and he's well respected for such a young man. But, there is a bizarre Gypsy woman (Hepburn) perplexes him and throughout the film Beal inexorably is drawn to her and vice-versa (this really made no sense at all). Now considering she show no signs of being an adherent to ANY religion, I could understand how this would be a problem for him and his job--though the film seemed to feel that somehow love conquers all. I could talk more--but really don't want to give this plot any more significance, as it's a hole-ridden mess. BUT, the acting is very nice as well as the production values (especially the music) so it's not a total waste. Not a glowing endorsement, I know.

vincentlynch-moonoi I have to review this film from a perspective that most of us don't have. The early 1930s. And, it's necessary to review the film from that perspective for two reasons. First, the 1930s were a very different time. We often think of life in the "old days" as being so much simpler. Yet, this film deals with religious bigotry, a crisis in faith, and a seemingly forbidden love. Not such a simple life, after all. And secondly, we have to view this film from the perspective of the cinema in 1934. We have to keep in mind that a mere 7 years before this film was made, movies were still silent. Modern cinema was in its infancy here.If there is a problem with this film, it is that it moves a bit slowly. But often when I see films from this era of the cinema, their plots are just a bit threadbare in an effort to keep the length of the film down to about 90 minutes. So, though a bit slow, particularly in the first half of the film, kudos to the screen writers and the director for taking the time needed to establish both plot and characters.Katherine Hepburn, in only her sixth film, and her third year as a film actress, is quite remarkable here. This is a very different Hepburn than most of us are used to. She plays the role of young lady who appears to be a gypsy (but isn't) to perfection. You have to see this film to realize just how wonderful her performance is.John Beal, as the "little minister" is very good. Too bad he never made it to a higher realm in the film industry. His mother in the film, played by Beryl Mercer, is superb. There are a number of other actors you'll recognize (such as Donald Crisp and Alan Hale), but their performances are just satisfactory, not outstanding. They do the job.If you're a Hepburn fan, or just a fan of old movies, I urge you to watch this film. But you do have to watch it from different eyes.

overseer-3 This was the last film version made of this delightful story based on James Matthew Barrie's first major successful novel and play, and it is long overdue for a modern remake, done with similar charm, beauty, and simplicity, please.Here we find a timeless tale of a fresh-faced, youthful pastor boy, direct out of seminary, who loves his mother and has affection for his congregation, but who finds himself flaunting convention by falling in love against his will with a wild, beautiful gypsy girl. You could no more imagine this girl sitting quietly in a church praying than you could imagine Ted Kennedy becoming a Republican.Gavin the minister, though he is "little" in physical size, is not small in courage or intellectual honesty. He knows he is falling in love with this girl, but can't seem to help himself. He fights his feelings, but still he is attracted, like a moth to a flame. She tricks him and teases him in their first encounters, yet he still comes back for more. There's just something different about this Babbie that he cannot resist (and one senses the gypsy girl feels the same way about Gavin). We see their relationship growing, the congregation begins to suspect something is distracting their beloved new minister from his duties, and an inevitable confrontation is in the works. I won't give away any more, but go rent the video sometime or catch it on AMC or TCM, especially if you wish to see Katherine Hepburn in one of her most poignant, humorous and delightful performances (she even sings, too!). Kudos also to the late John Beal, who was perfectly cast as Gavin Dishart, the little minister. And an A-plus goes to Max Steiner for his lovely background musical score. Also, read the book by JMB when you get a chance; one can't put it down.