Little Man, What Now? | |
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Directed by | Frank Borzage |
Screenplay by | William Anthony McGuire |
Based on | Little Man, What Now? by Hans Fallada |
Produced by | Carl Laemmle Jr. |
Starring | Margaret Sullavan Douglass Montgomery |
Cinematography | Norbert F. Brodin |
Edited by | Milton Carruth |
Music by | Arthur Kay (uncredited) |
Production company | |
Distributed by | Universal Pictures |
Release date |
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Running time | 98 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Little Man, What Now? is a 1934 pre-Code American drama film directed by Frank Borzage and starring Margaret Sullavan. [1] It is based on the novel of the same name by Hans Fallada. The novel had been turned into a German film the previous year. The film was a box-office disappointment for Universal. [2]
In Germany in the early 1930s, a young couple are struggling against poverty. Hans is a small business agent. He is happily married to Emma, whom he affectionately calls "lämmchen" (small lamb). They must keep their marriage a secret in order for Hans to retain his job, as his boss wants him to marry the boss' daughter. However, Hans loses his job when the truth emerges. Hans and Emma stay with his stepmother in bustling Berlin to find success. Hans secures a small job in a department store. Hans and Emma discover that his stepmother is really a notorious madam who runs an exclusive brothel.