Little Fugitive (1953)

In 1953 I started school at PS 188 on Neptune Avenue in Coney Island. Each year, The Little Fugitive would be shown in the auditorium ...and every year I loved it as much as I had the year before ... I never forgot the movie and whenever anyone would ask my favorite film, even as an adult I would always mention it ... Several years ago when visiting NYC with my own children, after spending a day in Coney Island, eating at Nathans and going on the Cyclone, we wandered into a Manhatten video store and I was astounded to see it on a shelf. We immediately rented it and it was as wonderful in 1998 as it had been in the 1950s. My children loved it and continue to mention scenes from it today in 2003! A wonderfully charming film that goes right to the heart of childhood.

Though this film is certainly not for all tastes, I have to say that it's definitely one of my all time favorites. I strongly recall watching it on PBS late at night as a child, and was overjoyed to rediscover it as an adult. It doesn't hurt at all, either, that I'm a HUGE fan of Coney Island history, and that this film is chock-full of 1953 footage of the park, back in the good ol' days.

The plot is incredibly simple a young boy is tricked by his older brother and latter's unkind friends, into believing that he's committed murder. The boy runs off to Coney Island to take it on the lam, and, while there, learns a whole lot about the world. From finding out about the glory of 5-cent deposits, to (finally) riding a real pony, we see what's important in his little life, and see how he ekes out a survival for himself during his day and night away from home.

There is hardly any dialogue once he's in the park, and it's refreshing, really almost a sensory experience through the eyes of a little boy. We are treated to a more innocent time with very little effort, one can smell the odors of the boardwalk, taste the sweetness of a watermelon slice, and feel the sand beneath the feet. I haven't seen another film quite like this it's truly magical.

For the Coney Island enthusiasts out there, the footage from the park is fantastic. It stands as a wonderful record of the past the parachute jump, batting cages, food stands, a marvelous carousel, souvenir booths...it's all here, and it's incredible. If you haven't seen this film, you're missing out, and then some.

Overall, I can admit that this film isn't for all folks it's slow-moving, quiet, and can drag along a bit if you don't surrender to it, and take it at it's own pace. Once you've done so, however, you'll see how great a film it really is.

Buy Little Fugitive (1953) Now

When you first start watching this movie, you think the director has a budget of $10. But what you discover is a pioneer of the indendent film. This little gem is a whisical tale of 7 year old Joey Norton, who's dooped by friends into thinking he's shot and killed his older brother, Richie. Upon believing this, Joey exiles himself to Coney Island, with Richie in hot pursuit. The film does a wonderful job of catching the innocence of the 50's. If you can get them away from the computer, video games and Sponge Bob, I truly believe that even kids today would enjoy this little piece of "Americana"

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This movie takes the viewer back to the childhood in all of us. Whether you are from Iowa or Brooklyn, NY, you will be taken back to the time of your innocence, when the world was good and life was sweet. Powerful and so well done, this film looks as if it were a documentary following a child into another world. You feel it in your gut. It's also a lot of fun as well. As a personal manager repping children, exclusively I can honestly say that this film and these actors are the reason that keep me hopeful. They just don't make 'em like that anymore.

Want Little Fugitive (1953) Discount?

This is an amazing film, having seen it on Turner, BUT the manufacture of this DVD makes it junk. The DVD will not play beyond the initial screen (play,features, etc). I have ordered this DVD from four different vendors and EVERY ONE IS DEFECTIVE IN EXACTLY THE SAME WAY. Amazon was the most expensive but having bought from Amazon many times, I had hopes for a good product, but I was wrong.

KINO has a defective master and is churning out defective copies of this great little movie.

It is a shame.

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