Little Men (TV series)
Encyclopedia
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 from the 1871 Louisa May Alcott
novel Little Men
as 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.
, one month after the death of Jo's husband, Fritz Bhaer. Josephine Bhaer (Michelle Rene Thomas
) 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 (Spencer Rochfort
) enters the scene to act as a caretaker of the school. Franz (Robin Dunne
), Jo's nephew, must take over teaching the class of young teens, notably Dan (Corey Sevier
), Nat (Trevor Blumas
), Emil (Alex Cambell), Nan (Brittney Irvin) and Bess (Rachel Skarsten
). 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 (Jennifer Wigmore) and Amy (Amy Price-Francis
) 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.
at the Claremont Conservation Area. The series was a joint production between Alliance Atlantis Communications and Paxson Communications. Filming of the first season took place between August 1998 and January 1999. The second season was filmed from April through October 1999.
by BFS. There is also a Region 4 DVD release from Madmen Entertainment.
. The series was also shown in Switzerland, starting July 31, 2000, where it was known as "L'école du bonheur", and in France, starting December 25, 2001.
CTV television network
CTV Television Network is a Canadian English language television network and is owned by Bell Media. It is Canada's largest privately-owned network, and has consistently placed as Canada's top-rated network in total viewers and in key demographics since 2002, after several years trailing the rival...
beginning January 1, 1999. The show is set as a continuation from the 1871 Louisa May Alcott
Louisa May Alcott
Louisa May Alcott was an American novelist. She is best known for the novel Little Women and its sequels Little Men and Jo's Boys. Little Women was set in the Alcott family home, Orchard House in Concord, Massachusetts, and published in 1868...
novel Little Men
Little Men
Little Men, or Life at Plumfield with Jo's Boys is a novel by American author Louisa May Alcott, first published in 1871. The novel reprises characters from Little Women and is considered by some the second book of an unofficial Little Women trilogy, which is completed with Alcott's 1886 novel...
as a follow-up to Little Women
Little Women
Little Women is a novel by American author Louisa May Alcott . The book was written and set in the Alcott family home, Orchard House, in Concord, Massachusetts. It was published in two volumes in 1868 and 1869...
. 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, MassachusettsConcord, Massachusetts
Concord is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the town population was 17,668. Although a small town, Concord is noted for its leading roles in American history and literature.-History:...
, one month after the death of Jo's husband, Fritz Bhaer. Josephine Bhaer (Michelle Rene Thomas
Michelle Burke
Michelle Burke is an American actress. She is best known for her roles as Jodi Kramer in the 1993 Richard Linklater film Dazed and Confused and as Connie Conehead in the movie Coneheads...
) 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 (Spencer Rochfort
Spencer Rochfort
Spencer D'Oyly Rochfort is a Canadian American television and film actor.-Career:Born in Fort Worth, Texas, Rochfort was raised in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, and is a dual citizen of both countries...
) enters the scene to act as a caretaker of the school. Franz (Robin Dunne
Robin Dunne
Robin Dunne is a Canadian actor who is mainly known for having had numerous leading roles in sequels throughout his career, and lately for his role as Doctor Will Zimmerman in the cult Science fiction Television series, Sanctuary....
), Jo's nephew, must take over teaching the class of young teens, notably Dan (Corey Sevier
Corey Sevier
Corey Daniel Sevier is a Canadian actor. He is perhaps best known for his role on the Fox television series North Shore as Gabriel McKay or as Timmy Cabot on the television series Lassie from the late 1990s.-Life and career:...
), Nat (Trevor Blumas
Trevor Blumas
Trevor Blumas is a Canadian television and film actor and singer-songwriter.-Early life and career:Blumas was born in London, Ontario, Canada. Trevor Blumas went to school at the Lester B. Pearson School for the Arts, studying drama, music, dance, and art...
), Emil (Alex Cambell), Nan (Brittney Irvin) and Bess (Rachel Skarsten
Rachel Skarsten
Rachel Skarsten is a Canadian actress best known for her role as Dinah Lance on the television series Birds of Prey.-Biography:...
). 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 (Jennifer Wigmore) and Amy (Amy Price-Francis
Amy Price-Francis
Amy Price-Francis is an actress who played characters on the television series Little Men, Tracker, Snakes and Ladders, Rumours and, especially, The Cleaner, where she has played the role of Melissa Banks...
) ground the plot as another chapter in the continuing saga of the March girls of Little Women
Little Women
Little Women is a novel by American author Louisa May Alcott . The book was written and set in the Alcott family home, Orchard House, in Concord, Massachusetts. It was published in two volumes in 1868 and 1869...
. Jo's young son, Rob Bhaer, is portrayed by Munro Chambers
Munro Chambers
Munro Chambers is a Canadian actor, best known for his role as Wilder on The Latest Buzz and his new role as Elijah "Eli" Goldsworthy on Degrassi. His identical twin brother named Thomas Chambers is also an actor.- Filmography :-External links:...
and his brother Thomas.
Production
The series was filmed in Pickering, OntarioPickering, Ontario
Pickering is a city located in Southern Ontario, Canada immediately east of Toronto in Durham Region. It is part of the Greater Toronto Area, the largest metropolitan area in Canada.- Early Period :...
at the Claremont Conservation Area. The series was a joint production between Alliance Atlantis Communications and Paxson Communications. Filming of the first season took place between August 1998 and January 1999. The second season was filmed from April through October 1999.
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 VHSVHS
The Video Home System is a consumer-level analog recording videocassette standard developed by Victor Company of Japan ....
by BFS. There is also a Region 4 DVD release from Madmen Entertainment.
International distribution
While being a Canadian production, Little Men premiered in the United States on PAX in November 1998. The show's domestic premiere was January 1, 1999 on CTVCTV television network
CTV Television Network is a Canadian English language television network and is owned by Bell Media. It is Canada's largest privately-owned network, and has consistently placed as Canada's top-rated network in total viewers and in key demographics since 2002, after several years trailing the rival...
. The series was also shown in Switzerland, starting July 31, 2000, where it was known as "L'école du bonheur", and in France, starting December 25, 2001.
Season 1
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Season 2
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