Little
Cats: Drama|This picture is what I will label a “gem”. It is one of the most touching stories about children ever put to screen. Produced on a what is politely called a modest budget. The picture, however, looks beautiful. This is due to the input photographer Ruth Orkin had with her co-director / producer / cinematographer husband Morris Engel.
The story concerns two young boys who are left alone by their single mother for a night. Once left alone, the older brother and his friends trick the little brother (Joey) into believing that he has accidentally killed his older brother Lennie. The grieving little boy is convinced to runaway, which he does, to Coney Island. Once he arrives on Coney Island our little fugitive collects empty bottles on the beach for the nickel deposit and embarks on a solo 24 hour adventure on the rides in the culinary delights that the 1953 Coney Island had to offer. Meanwhile the Lennie begins his search for his little lost brother. Will he find him? Will little Joey survive the night to ride the on the pony ride again? Will Lennie and Joey’s mother find out that little Joey spent the night in Coney Island? You will have to watch this beautiful movie and find out.
Like I said this picture was shot on a shoestring budget. And like I said, the movie looks beautiful. The picture was shot entirely in the far off land of Brooklyn. The performances can feel a bit stiff. However Richie Andrusco as Joey is completely natural, as if he is not aware he is being filmed, when he off on his own in Coney Island. Nominated for best original story Oscar, writer / director / producer / cinematographer Morris Engel was a combat cameraman with the US Army Signal Corps during World War II, and as such took part in the Normandy landings on D-Day, along with future director Russ Meyer. Much of the familiar combat footage that has appeared over the years in documentaries about the D-Day landings was shot by Engel and Meyer.
Wednesday April 8th at 8:00PM on Turner Classic Movies
