Watch Little Pal

Little Pal is a 1935 heartwarming drama that tells the story of a young boy named Mickey Kelly, played by the brilliant Mickey Rooney, who lost his father in a tragic car accident. Mickey's life takes a turn for the worse when he is abandoned by his mother shortly after his father's death. Initially, he finds solace in an abandoned building, but he soon realizes that he cannot survive on his own, especially with the winter approaching fast.

It is at this point that Ralph Bellamy's character, Tom Colwell, comes into the picture. Tom is a well-to-do lawyer who sees Mickey and takes pity on him. He decides to take the boy in, much to the chagrin of his wife, played by Karen Morley. While Tom believes that they can provide Mickey with a loving home, his wife feels that their lifestyle is not conducive to raising a child.

Despite their differences, Tom and his wife slowly start to develop a bond with Mickey. They shower him with affection, and Mickey slowly starts to open up to them. In many ways, they become the family he never had.

Meanwhile, Mickey's mother realizes the gravity of her actions and tries to reconnect with her son. However, her efforts come too late as Mickey is now content living with Tom and his wife.

As time passes, Mickey's life starts to take a turn for the better. They enroll him in school, and he quickly excels academically. More importantly, he starts to develop meaningful relationships with other children, something that he lacked before.

However, their newfound happiness is short-lived as Mickey's mother resurfaces yet again, this time with a court order demanding custody of her son. Tom and his wife are devastated, and they fight tooth and nail to keep Mickey with them. However, their efforts seem futile as the court seems to favor the biological mother.

What follows is a riveting courtroom drama that will keep the audience on the edge of their seats. Will Tom and his wife be able to keep Mickey, or will he be forced to go back to a life of abuse and neglect?

One of the major strengths of the movie is the brilliant acting by the cast. Mickey Rooney, in particular, delivers a heart-rending performance as the young boy trying to cope with the loss of his father and the abandonment by his mother. His ability to convey a range of emotions through his expressions and body language is nothing short of impressive.

Ralph Bellamy and Karen Morley also deliver stellar performances as the compassionate couple trying to provide a better life for Mickey. Their chemistry on screen is palpable, and their efforts to create a stable and loving home are commendable.

The movie's direction by Arthur Dreifuss is also worth mentioning. Dreifuss's ability to capture the feeling of loss and abandonment in the movie's opening scenes is impressive. His ability to smoothly shift from heart-warming moments to heart-breaking scenes is a testament to his directing skills.

In conclusion, Little Pal is a movie that stays with the viewer long after the credits have rolled. It is a poignant reminder of the importance of love, family, and second chances. The movie's themes of resilience, perseverance, and the power of the human spirit are relevant even today, 85 years after its initial release. It is no wonder that the movie is considered a timeless classic.

Little Pal is a 1935 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 16 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1.