Little Men is a Canadian television show that first aired on November 7, 1998 on the PAX TV network and was shown in Canada on CTV beginning January 1, 1999. The show is set as a continuation of the Louisa May Alcott novel Little Men, a follow-up to Little Women. Due to low ratings, the show was cancelled after 2 seasons, with the final episode aired on December 17, 1999.
Synopsis
The show opens in Concord, Massachusetts, one month after the death of Jo's husband, Fritz Bhaer. Josephine Bhaer must take over the Plumfield School, a school in the barn on the Bhaer property, once taught by her husband. As she tries to adjust to the pressures to find a new teacher, a merchant marine Nick Riley enters the scene to act as a caretaker of the school. Franz, Jo's nephew, must take over teaching the class of young teens, notably Dan, Nat, Emil, Nan and Bess. The show follows the children's adventures at Plumfield, as well as the blossoming relationship between Jo and Nick. Appearances by the other living March sisters, Meg and Amy ground the plot as another chapter in the continuing saga of the March girls of Little Women. Jo's young son, Rob Bhaer, is portrayed by Munro Chambers and his brother Thomas.
Characters
Plumfield residents
Josephine "Jo" Bhaer : One of the eponymous Little Woman, Jo is now a young widow following the death of her husband Fritz. She vows to keep her husband's school open, though many feel that she should close it down. She has one son, Rob. Jo often reminisces about her childhood with her sisters, Meg, Amy, and the late Beth. She remains close to her living relatives who continue to support her.
Nicolas "Nick" Riley : A merchant marine who comes to work at Plumfield. After he is arrested for assaulting Emil's uncle, Jo arranges for him to serve his sentence at Plumfield. He later decides to stay on permanently as the school's caretaker. Nick had a rough childhood after his parents died in an influenza epidemic when he was twelve. He stayed with his uncle who was abusive towards his wife. At fifteen, he went on his first sea voyage. In "Philanthropy", Nick reveals that he cannot read and Jo begins teaching him.
Dan Maddison : A sponsored student who was once homeless living on the streets of Boston. He survived by partnering with Jasper and later Nat. In "Tough Crimes", Jasper comes to Plumfield to take Dan to California. Dan soon learns that his friend is an irredeemable criminal and remains at school.
Nathaniel "Nat" Blake : Dan's best friend. Like Dan, he is a sponsored student. They were homeless together in Boston. Nat tends to be cautious and nervous, though he is capable of great acts of bravery in times of need.
Anthea "Nan" Harding : Jo's first female student. After her mother's death, Nan was unhappy and often ran away from home, which lead her father to send her to Plumfield. A tomboy, she does not get along with the prim and proper Bess at first. They eventually become friends.
Elizabeth "Bess" Laurence : Amy and Laurie's only child. Her mother has molded her into an elegant and refined young lady, but her father worries that she has no spirit from spending too much time indoors and not enjoying life.
Emil Hoffman : A student at Plumfield who hopes to be a sailor someday. His uncle pulls him out of Plumfield against Emil's wishes. He returns after his uncle beats him when he refuses to go tomilitary school.
Asia : The resident housekeeper of Plumfield who handles most of the cooking. She is firm but kind with the students. In return, they respect her advice and admonishments.
Franz Bhaer : Jo and Fritz's nephew. He starts teaching at Plumfield after his uncle's death. Franz is accepted into Harvard, but delays his enrollment until Plumfield can obtain another teacher. In "Tough Crimes", he decides to remain the school's permanent teacher.
Thomas "Tommy" Bangs : A student at Plumfield. Tommy occasionally gets into minor scrapes such as in "Philanthropy".
Rob Bhaer : Jo's young son with her late husband.
Jack Ford
Recurring
Margaret "Meg" Brooke : Jo's sister who supports her emotionally after Fritz's death. She mourns the death of her own husband, John, who died some years previously. Meg is also the mother of twins.
Amy Laurence : Amy's husband and father of Bess. He worries that Bess has no spirit and sends her to his sister-in-law's school in "Thanksgiving". Laurie is always there to help Jo and her school, including sending a library in "Philanthropy".
Isaac : An African-American boy who used to be a slave in Georgia with his parents Ruth and Josiah. Jo helps the family settle in Concord and takes Isaac on as a student.
While being a Canadian production, Little Men premiered in the United States on PAX TV in November 1998. The show's domestic premiere was January 1, 1999 on CTV. The series was also shown in Switzerland, starting July 31, 2000, where it was known as "L'école du bonheur", in France, starting December 25, 2001, and in India, where it ran on Hallmark Channel.
Home video releases
The series has a total of 26 episodes. Region 1 DVDs of the series distributed by BFS Entertainment in 4 episode installments. BFS has only released the first eight episodes from season one. Episodes 1-4 were also released on VHS by BFS. There is also a Region 4 DVD release from Madmen Entertainment.
