No renewal found Free in the US since 1 January 1970, on the registry's reading: registration LP10337 of 1941 by RKO-radio Pictures, Inc was not renewed in the volumes searched. Record.
Jo’s school makes education a matter of care and belonging, while the surviving records leave this Alcott adaptation with an unsettled release-year label.
Little Men puts the making of men in the hands of a woman. Jo and Professor Bhaer run Plumfield, a school for poor boys. 6 The title’s promise belongs as much to the adults responsible for the children as to the children themselves. The setting makes education something larger than instruction: a boy needs a place in which to live before anyone can reasonably ask what he will become. Norman Z. McLeod’s film locates the work of shaping character within the ordinary obligations of a household.
The source is Louisa May Alcott’s Little Men, published in 1871. 2 Bringing that material to the screen means giving dramatic form to a school’s continuing business, rather than simply treating education as the background to an individual adventure. At Plumfield, questions of conduct become questions about living with other people. Jo’s position is especially important to that arrangement. As the woman running the school with her husband, she is not merely someone who approves or disapproves from the edge of the story. Care is part of her authority.
McLeod directed the adaptation. 1 It was released through RKO. 3 Kay Francis is among the principal adult performers. 1 The adults matter to the title’s balance because they already possess the authority the children have yet to acquire. These are “little men” only in anticipation, dependent on grown-ups who can decide what sort of childhood they will have. Read through its premise, the film concerns the responsibility adults assume when they offer a child a home. Shelter is not simply a reward for having learned the rules.
One catalogue classification is melodrama. 1 Another description calls the picture a comedy-drama. 2 Neither label needs to cancel the other: a school story can accommodate misbehavior and amusement without making its underlying insecurity trivial. For boys dependent on the care of others, belonging is not an abstract virtue. It is a practical condition of everyday life. Choosing one genre label risks obscuring that tension before the film has begun.
The chronology is less tidy than the date attached to this page might suggest. One release entry gives 10 January 1941. 1 The film also appears in a list of American releases for 1940. 3 A review entry occurs in the 1940 Motion Picture Reviews compilation. 4 The earlier year therefore has a documentary basis. These entries do not explain the discrepancy. A review’s appearance and a catalogue’s release date are different kinds of evidence, neither of which should silently stand in for the other.
The atlas uses the Internet Archive copy identified as little_men. It divides that copy into 661 shots over 83 minutes. No annotated beats have yet been supplied, so there is no sound basis here for attaching an argument about performance to a particular timestamp. A close account of cutting or staging would likewise require evidence beyond the premise and credits gathered here. The available copy is a point in the film’s afterlife, not a map of its travels. The gathered sources do not establish a television or home-video history. Nor can a renewal search show which distributors relied on its findings.
The record: Registration LP10337 by RKO-radio Pictures, Inc is dated 10 January 1941. The registry found no renewal in the renewal volumes for 1968 to 1970, nor in the Copyright Office's records from 1978 on; on that reading the term ended on 31 December 1969 and the film has been free in the US since 1 January 1970. This is a conclusion drawn from the stated searches, rather than a documented chain of subsequent distribution. The record does not settle the status of later editions or uses outside the US.
Written 6 September 2026 by gpt-6-astra from the registry record, the atlas's own evidence and the sources below, gathered by Qwen/Qwen3.8-Max with web search and questioned by deepseek-ai/DeepSeek-V4-Pro. Numbered notes are the sources; a claim marked unverified has no source yet; times open the atlas at that second. How these are made and checked.
661 shots over 1:23:06 · 277 beats in 123 sequences · 1078 transcript lines · JSON
661 shots over 1:23:06, read from the Internet Archive copy little_men (little_men.mp4, 640×480, 29.97 fps). Shot boundaries by PySceneDetect's adaptive detector; each frame links to the Archive's player at that second. Registry dossier: Little Men No renewal found. JSON
Measurements: black-and-white film on its keyframes (0 of 661 shots judged colour), average shot 7.5s long, a frontal face detected in 44% of keyframes. Shots are detected automatically and each is represented by its midpoint frame.
Released 1940 (Internet Archive); copyright registered 1941 (catalog).
277 beats in sequences, cut automatically at shot boundaries scored on picture change, pauses in speech, topic shifts, on-screen text and cutting rhythm (each beat says why it starts where it does). Each is annotated by a vision-language model from four sampled frames and the transcript lines in it, as observations with evidence; anything the frames and lines do not support is left null. Machine annotation (Qwen/Qwen3-VL-235B-A22B-Instruct), checked automatically: quotes must be verbatim, names must be spoken, "visible" events are sampled to a second model.
Passages cut at shot boundaries and annotated by a machine from four sampled frames and the transcript lines in them. Each beat says why it starts where it does and what was checked; sequences are visual groups, not scenes.
0:14Model synopsis: A woman in period costume sits in a vehicle holding a bundle, with on-screen text identifying her as Jo. The setting appears to be outdoors near a wooden building.
Named: Jo (frame:1). 1 person observed.
0:56Model synopsis: The beat shows a credit title card for the film LITTLE MEN, listing crew roles and names. No people, actions, or dialogue are visible or audible in this segment.
Model synopsis: A woman and a man are in an office-like interior; the woman is sorting mail while the man stands nearby. A newspaper ad for a steel engraved portrait is shown, and dialogue indicates the woman is annoyed by her workload.
2 people observed.
“Oh, good morning, Stella. Yeah, what's good about it?” 1:54 · “Well, I'll try again. A good, good morning to you, Stella.” 1:58
Model synopsis: A man in a suit speaks animatedly while holding papers; a woman in a plaid dress and bonnet listens and later stands at a desk with him. The transcript includes promotional lines about coupons and stamps, and a directive to file items.
2 people observed.
“Click this coupon and send one dollar.” 2:21 · “Get yours while they last.” 2:24
Model synopsis: A man in a suit is seen in an office setting with a woman, handling papers and speaking. A staircase and interior architectural details are visible in another shot, suggesting a multi-room house or office building.
Named: Mrs. Doolittle (t:2:52). 2 people observed.
“Let's get down to work.” 2:45 · “Grand Falls, Nebraska. Mrs. Doodiddle.” 2:49
3:06Model synopsis: A man in a tuxedo sits at a table holding a small object. The setting appears to be an interior room with windows and foliage visible outside.
2 people observed.
Model synopsis: A man in a bowler hat and overcoat holds a suitcase in a hallway; another man in a tuxedo smiles nearby. The transcript includes the name 'Willie' and the phrase 'It's me.'
Named: Willie (t:3:09). 2 people observed.
“Willie.” 3:09 · “It's me.” 3:11
3:23Model synopsis: Two men stand talking in an office while a woman sits at a desk; one man is addressed as 'Major' and references 'Lefty' and 'Horseface'. No named characters are identified beyond 'Major' as spoken.
Named: Major (t:3:16). 3 people observed.
“Hello, Major.” 3:16 · “What are you doing here? I thought you and Lefty were working Kansas.” 3:17
Model synopsis: Two men in a private office react to news of Lefty's death; one retrieves an object Lefty entrusted to him. A third person, a child, is shown in a coffin.
Named: Willie (t:3:59), Lefty (t:3:37). 3 people observed.
“Lefty's dead.” 3:37 · “We both owed him a lot, Willie.” 3:59
Model synopsis: Two men argue in an office over a baby in a box; one man insists the other take responsibility for the child. The baby is shown twice, lying in a box with toys, while the men gesture and speak emphatically.
3 people observed.
“Willie, get that out of here right now. Nothing doing. From now on, it's all yours. Mine?” 4:46 · “I'll wager this was your idea. No, it wasn't. Now, I told them how much you hated kids. Hate them. Willie, in all the 20 years you've known …” 4:51
Model synopsis: Two men stand in an interior room; one holds a baby while speaking. A separate shot shows a baby in a crib. The transcript includes dialogue about money, leaving, and a baby reacting to departure.
3 people observed.
“Here's 500. Take the kid with you. No, no. That ain't the way lefty wanted it. Take the money anyway.” 5:12 · “Now, I'm going to leave you here with your joy.” 5:23
5:40Model synopsis: A man in a bowler hat holds a doll while another man in a suit stands nearby in an interior setting. A third person is partially visible in the background.
3 people observed.
5:45Model synopsis: A man in formal attire stands indoors, facing forward. No dialogue or on-screen text is present in this beat.
1 person observed.
5:47Model synopsis: A man in a bowler hat holds a young child in an interior setting. No dialogue or on-screen text is present in this beat.
2 people observed.
Model synopsis: A man in a bowler hat hands a baby to another man in a suit, who then holds the baby while the first man departs. The dialogue suggests the baby is being given care instructions and its gender is questioned.
Named: Major (t:5:50). 3 people observed.
“Here you are, Major.” 5:50 · “Give it plenty of milk, you know. It's, uh...” 5:52
6:16Model synopsis: A large house with columns is shown through trees, with a horse standing near the steps. No people are visible in the frame.
6:32Model synopsis: A man in a top hat carries a box toward a building labeled 'STATE ORPHANAGE' while a horse-drawn carriage is parked nearby. The scene is set outdoors in front of a brick building with a visible entrance and a lantern.
1 person observed.
6:46Model synopsis: A man in a hat leans over a child lying in a box on a brick floor. The scene is lit from above, casting shadows on the wall.
2 people observed.
Model synopsis: A man in formal 19th-century attire stands outside a building while a note reading 'Take care of my baby' is shown; a baby is visible in a basket. Dialogue includes an accusation of blackmail and a reference to a father's grave.
2 people observed.
“500 ought to be enough to sustain you.” 6:48 · “If you're old enough to wage life's battles,” 6:50
7:16Model synopsis: A baby lies in a wooden box on a brick floor. The scene is shot from above in black and white.
1 person observed.
7:20Model synopsis: A man in formal attire stands beside a paneled door and brick wall. No dialogue or action is visible in the single frame provided.
1 person observed.
Model synopsis: A man in a top hat and formal attire speaks to a woman in a doorway; a child lies in a box on the ground. The dialogue suggests an early morning confrontation at a residence.
3 people observed.
“Just a minute.” 7:24 · “What are you doing here this time of the morning?” 7:26
Model synopsis: A man in formal attire speaks and then bends over a child in a box while another person stands in a doorway. The setting includes a brick wall and a paneled door.
3 people observed.
“Here.” 7:37 · “That's all I want to know.” 7:40
Model synopsis: A boy is seated while two men attend to him in a bar setting; one man speaks about curls and growing up, while another orders drinks. The scene shifts to a bar counter where a boy and two men interact over a drink order.
4 people observed.
“Oh, you can't wear curls forever, Danny. You're a big man now. Here. Here we go on.” 7:54 · “Hi.” 8:11
Model synopsis: Three men sit at a table playing cards while another man stands in the background; one man speaks about stew boiling over. The setting is an interior room with period furnishings and a sign reading 'GOOD BYE'.
4 people observed.
“Eat that.” 8:33 · “Danny” 8:36
Model synopsis: A boy in suspenders speaks to an adult man holding money across a counter in an indoor setting. The man says the cost will be $4 and that it will cost them all they have on reason.
2 people observed.
“It'll cost you $4, boys.” 8:46 · “It'll cost you all you got on reason.” 8:49
Model synopsis: A man in a shirt and tie handles objects near a stove, then a group including a boy plays cards at a table. Outside, a crowd gathers before a hotel, and a man in a top hat gestures while speaking. The transcript includes dialogue about bluffing and a moralizing monologue about vice.
6 people observed.
“Take the pot.” 8:54 · “Let me see your hand.” 8:56
Model synopsis: A man in a top hat addresses a crowd outside a saloon and gambling hall, while another man in a vest stands in a doorway marked 'LAGER', and two men embrace near a sign advertising 'ONLY $1'.
5 people observed.
Model synopsis: A man in a top hat addresses a seated man at a carnival booth advertising brain tests and whiskey, while another man lies back in a chair with his tongue out. The transcript includes commands like 'Stick out your tongue!' and an exclamation about 'the curse of booze.'
3 people observed.
“Boo!” 9:32 · “The curse of booze! Look! Look at that bleary red-rimmed, bloodshot eye!” 9:35
Model synopsis: A man in a top hat addresses a crowd while another man is held up; a third man lies slumped in a chair. The speaker mentions a man from a fine family in North Carolina.
4 people observed.
“Get up and walk.” 9:51 · “Would you believe this rum sodden wreck was once a man? Yes, he was. Comes from one of the finest families in South Carolina. North Carolina…” 9:55
Model synopsis: A man in a top hat addresses a crowd from a stall advertising a $1 remedy, while another man administers the product to a seated man. A woman and a man stand nearby as the scene unfolds outdoors.
6 people observed.
“Spare us any further sight of this horrible example.” 10:11 · “Ladies, it's tasteless.” 10:18
Model synopsis: A man in a suit and top hat sells bottles from a cart on a street while speaking to customers. Another man in a top hat and suit reacts with surprise or disapproval nearby. The scene includes a crowd and a horse-drawn carriage.
5 people observed.
“Here you are, ladies. Step right up while they last.” 10:46 · “For today only. A ten dollar bottle of Bertels Bitter's for only one dollar.” 10:46
Model synopsis: A confrontation occurs outdoors between a woman and a man identified as Major Berdle, with a boy present, over the boy's schooling. The woman argues her work requires travel, while the man insists the boy must attend school, suggesting boarding school as an option.
Named: Major Berdle (t:11:06). 7 people observed.
“Not so fast there, young girl. Here, here, take your hands up on my boy. What's the meaning of this? You know very well, Major Berdle.” 11:06 · “You failed to heed the warning of the State Board of Education, so I brought the law here this time.” 11:14
Model synopsis: A woman and two men, one older and one younger, are shown in conversation outdoors near a storefront with signage. The transcript includes a speech about a child's right to childhood and mentions a school called Plumfield.
4 people observed.
“The best one in the state is the plum field, only 20 miles from here. You are depriving this boy of life's most priceless possession.” 11:35 · “The right to his childhood.” 11:42
12:08Model synopsis: A boy and an older man stand side by side in front of a sign. The sign includes text about 'NORMAL AMERICAS OUT FIGHT TOMACH' and a cartoon stomach.
2 people observed.
Model synopsis: A boy in a tub speaks to a man in an apron who is holding clothes; the man later appears in a vest and bow tie. The dialogue suggests a disagreement about the boy's future and financial dependence.
2 people observed.
“Gee Pop, won't you change your mind?” 12:13 · “Some fields are very nice school. You'll like it there. You couldn't get along without me. You know you couldn't. It's you I'm thinking of,…” 12:16
Model synopsis: A man speaks to a boy in a bedroom; the boy is in a bathtub and later in bed. The man appears emotional, and the dialogue suggests a conflict about the boy attending school and the man's reluctance to let him go.
2 people observed.
“And find someone else. You have to pay him.” 12:37 · “I'm not all right. Listen Papa if you make me go to that school I'll worry myself sick about you. Never mind worrying about me.” 12:41
13:10Model synopsis: A man in formal attire stands in a dimly lit interior space with a window and hanging fabric visible. No dialogue or on-screen text is present in this beat.
1 person observed.
Model synopsis: A man in a tuxedo speaks to a boy in a doorway; a woman is seen bathing in a tub. The dialogue references Mrs. Highbury and a tub.
3 people observed.
“If your boy threw at the tub, Mrs. Highbury wants it in 26.” 13:12 · “Go right in.” 13:16
Model synopsis: Two men meet in a decorated room; one recognizes the other after initial surprise. The transcript reveals the visitor is Willie, presumed dead, and mentions a newspaper article about his supposed drowning.
Named: Willie (t:13:45). 2 people observed.
“Hello, mage. How's the old fluffed up? What is this? Who are you?” 13:38 · “Willie! It's me, the one and only.” 13:45
Model synopsis: A man in a suit reads a newspaper article about a fugitive named Willie the Fox while another man stands nearby. The article mentions a $5,000 reward and the fugitive's escape from a state penitentiary.
Named: Willie the Fox (t:14:16). 2 people observed.
“who escaped from the state penitentiary last Thursday and whose clothes were found on the banks of the Androscoggin River.” 14:11 · “Willie the Fox, habitual criminal, had two more years to serve. You know, that's a swell write-up. And they're all over the country, too. …” 14:16
14:32Model synopsis: A hand holds a reward poster offering $5000 for the arrest of William Deming, alias Willie the Kid, for bank robbery. The poster is from the National Bankers' Protective League and is shown in a close-up shot.
Named: William Deming (frame:1). 2 people observed.
Model synopsis: Two men are in a dimly lit room with ornate wallpaper; one sits holding a photograph while the other stands nearby. The standing man speaks about being a favorite of the wardens and having served twelve years.
Named: Major (t:14:38). 2 people observed.
“Well, old pal, old pal, here we are back together again. Ain't you glad to see me?” 14:34 · “Wait a minute, Major. Don't tear that up.” 14:38
Model synopsis: A man in a dark suit and bow tie speaks while seated or standing in a room with patterned wallpaper; another man is present and reacts. The dialogue describes a carriage accident and a disguise.
2 people observed.
“Now one day, you know, I drives his hack into town with him.” 14:52 · “Well, suddenly, he hits his jaw on my elbow like that. Well, he goes head over tea kettle into the road.” 15:02
Model synopsis: Two men in formal attire converse in a dimly lit room; one holds a small object while speaking. The dialogue suggests a discussion about evasion and a corpse, implying a crime or escape scenario.
2 people observed.
“Pretty smart of me, eh? He was dumb, Willie. Very dumb, with only two more years to serve.” 15:23 · “If they catch you now, they'll throw the key away.” 15:28
Model synopsis: Two men in formal attire converse in a dimly lit room with patterned wallpaper and a decorative lamp; one man gestures while speaking, and the other listens or responds. The dialogue suggests a discussion about honesty and past criminal activity, with one man denying involvement in larceny.
Named: Willie (t:15:49). 2 people observed.
“How about this booze graph you're running?” 15:37 · “Do I get the pickpocket concession?” 15:39
Model synopsis: Two men are in a room with patterned wallpaper and a globe; one seated, one standing, then seated again. Dialogue suggests confusion over identity and a child named Danny.
Named: Willie (t:16:00). 2 people observed.
“Wait a minute. Maybe I did drown and don't know it.” 15:58 · “But you don't sound like you and you don't look like you. I haven't been me, Willie.” 16:00
Model synopsis: Two men are in a room with patterned wallpaper and a globe lamp; one speaks about losing a boy named Danny to school, while the other reacts. The dialogue suggests a threat involving a warden and a false death.
3 people observed.
“And if someone tells him I'm not really his father,” 16:20 · “Someone's going to tell the warden that you're not really dead.” 16:23
16:59Model synopsis: A black-and-white shot shows a gate with a sign reading 'PLUMFIELD SCHOOL' and a painted mural of the campus behind it. A voiceover describes the location as a combined farm and school run by a Swiss professor and his wife.
“It's sort of a farm and school combined. It's run by a Swiss professor and his wife.” 16:53
17:10Model synopsis: A black-and-white outdoor scene shows a rustic wooden structure with a thatched roof, surrounded by tall grasses and trees. No people or movement are visible in the single frame provided.
Model synopsis: A woman in a hat smiles while seated in a carriage; a man in a cap leans on a wooden fence in a garden. The transcript includes a spoken line addressing 'Mrs. Baird'.
2 people observed.
Model synopsis: A group of people, including children and adults, are gathered outdoors near a wooden building and a fence with animals. One person speaks about Christopher Columbus and returning from a village, while others react with excitement.
5 people observed.
“Christopher Columbus.” 17:23 · “Here you are, Asia.” 17:33
17:42Model synopsis: A boy in a checkered tie sits on a wooden structure outdoors. No dialogue or on-screen text is present in this beat.
1 person observed.
Model synopsis: A group of children and adults gather near a horse and a wooden bridge; one child shouts about a pet in an onion pack while another points from a fence. People then cross the bridge in a hurry.
Named: Teddy (t:17:49), Annie (t:17:45). 8 people observed.
“Take care of Annie for me. Mommy! Mommy!” 17:45 · “What is it, Teddy? Buttercup is in the onion pack. Oh, dear.” 17:49
Model synopsis: A group of people, including children and adults, gather around a cow named Buttercup in a garden or farm setting. Dialogue reveals complaints about the cow eating garden plants and suggests selling her, followed by a decision to improve her care.
5 people observed.
“This will never do.” 18:05 · “You know what a fuss asian made the last time the milk tasted of onions.” 18:06
Model synopsis: A cow adorned with flowers is present among a group of children and adults outdoors; a woman instructs the children to remove the cow quickly and blames Silas for not closing a gate. No names are spoken that identify any person visible.
6 people observed.
“Get her out of here quickly, children.” 18:42 · “Silas, you simply must keep Buttercup's gate closed.” 18:45
18:52Model synopsis: A bull stands in a fenced field. The scene is outdoors and appears to be rural.
18:55Model synopsis: A man in a cap and jacket stands outdoors with trees and a fence behind him. No dialogue or on-screen text is present in this beat.
1 person observed.
19:00Model synopsis: A person stands partially hidden behind foliage near a stone-walled house with a numbered door. No dialogue or on-screen text is present in this beat.
1 person observed.
19:05Model synopsis: An interior room with ornate furniture and heavy drapes is shown. No people are visible in the frame.
19:08Model synopsis: A man in a dark coat and a woman in a light dress stand facing each other in a room with a window and wall sconces. The man speaks, telling the woman she may be excused.
Named: Nan (t:19:06). 2 people observed.
“Nan, that's enough for now.” 19:06 · “You may be excused.” 19:08
Model synopsis: A woman in a patterned dress stands in a decorated room while another woman exits through a doorway; dialogue suggests a reprimand about manners. No names are spoken that identify the individuals.
2 people observed.
“Nan!” 19:14 · “Is that the way you were taught to leave the presence of your elders?” 19:17
Model synopsis: A man and a woman stand in a room with period furnishings; the man speaks about a financial condition for keeping a house. The woman reacts emotionally to the news.
2 people observed.
“He was quite kind but quite firm.” 19:32 · “And he reminded me that unless we have $5,000 to buy the house with our leases up,” 19:34
20:03Model synopsis: A man and a woman stand close in an interior setting, speaking about financial hardship and future plans. The woman appears distressed while the man comforts her, mentioning $2,500 in the bank and consulting a banker named Mr. Reynolds.
Named: Joe (t:20:00). 2 people observed.
“Now, now. There's nothing worth your tears.” 19:46 · “We have $2,500 in the bank.” 19:57
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1:23:06Machine transcription of the Archive copy's audio with Whisper large-v3-turbo (temperature 0); the model heard it as en. 1078 segments kept, 304 dropped as the kind of hallucination the model produces over music and silence. Each timestamp links to the Archive's player at that second. This has not been checked against the film and can be wrong.
Every free film of 1940 with a copy
By the average clip vector of the keyframes; a measurement, not a judgement
Misbehaving Husbands 
His Girl Friday 
Doomed to Die 
Son of Monte Cristo 
Calendar Girl 
Convict's Code