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The Little Fugitive

Play trailer Poster for The Little Fugitive Released Oct 6, 1953 1h 15m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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93% Tomatometer 46 Reviews 85% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
Joey (Richie Andrusco), a bratty 7-year-old kid from a tough Brooklyn, N.Y., neighborhood, is handed off to his older brother Lennie (Rickie Brewster) for the day. Fed up with his younger brother's obnoxiousness, Lennie and his pals play a cruel prank on the boy, leading him to think he has accidentally killed his brother. Running away in fear, Joey escapes to Coney Island, where he spends a full day and night exploring the excitement of the midway while his panicked brother searches for him.
The Little Fugitive

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Critics Consensus

A simple story well told, The Little Fugitive presents a kid's-eye view of the city that feels refreshingly authentic.

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Critics Reviews

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Helen Bower Detroit Free Press [This film] belongs to the people. It is the first and only American movie in the style of The Bicycle Thief, for simplicity and veracity. It is a movie about the way many people in the United States live and enjoy themselves with a day at Coney Island. Sep 16, 2021 Full Review Dorothy Masters New York Daily News In addition to being infinitely knowledgeable about the inner and outer mechanics of small boys on the loose, Little Fugitive has a genius for sharing this affinity. Rated: 4/4 Sep 16, 2021 Full Review Marjory Adams Boston Globe What wonderfully expressive moments the cameramen have captured: the thrill and magic and excitement of a boy with all Coney Island to choose from. There are sad moments, too. Sep 16, 2021 Full Review Marya E. Gates Cool People Have Feelings, Too. (Substack) Shot on location around Brooklyn and Coney Island on 35mm with a strikingly naturalism. Feb 16, 2024 Full Review Jane Corby Brooklyn Daily Eagle It's pretty sure to win the hearts of all who see it. Sep 16, 2021 Full Review Manny Farber The Nation The film pleased me for about five minutes, even though the plot seemed manufactured to permit yet another documentarist to shoot his favorite run-down American environment; then it disintegrated into a compromise with the truth. Sep 16, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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jacob c Gracefully quaint, Little Fugitive is a cute portrait of childhood. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 04/21/25 Full Review Steve D Absolutely nothing works here. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 09/20/24 Full Review Ken R In 1953 this little independently made film surprisingly found its way onto commercial cinema screens across the land. Its big drawcard was remarkable cinematography by first-time moviemakers, Ray Ashley, Morris Engel, and Ruth Orkin. Sharing the writing, direction, photography, and editing this group of talented folk brought life to a raw but warm story of childhood that resonated with audiences the world over. A simple story of two brothers after one runs away following a practical joke that goes badly wrong - featuring non-professional cast members and using a 35mm camera that had been modified, allowing it to be strapped to the photographer and used much like a steady-cam unit would be today. It's vividly filmed mostly around Coney Island and Brooklyn. So fresh and inventive was the outcome - in the years that followed, mainstream moviemakers the world over adopted the techniques into their works, starting several new trends in filmmaking. The image and sound remain effective to this day and the newly re-masted Kino Lobar DVD has breathed new life into this ground-breaking little picture. Beware of the color re-make. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 12/01/21 Full Review s r Some very original stuff here, but I would value it mostly for its being a time capsule of NYC/Coney Island in the 50's. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Just garbage. It's so poorly made to the point that it is unwatchable. One of the worst movies I've seen in some time. (First and only viewing - 2/18/2017) Rated 1 out of 5 stars 02/19/23 Full Review Audience Member Right up there with THE RED BALLOON, this is a delightful story that takes us deep into the mind of a child. A MUST SEE. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/12/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Little Fugitive

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Cast & Crew

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Ray Ashley

Director

Morris Engel

Director

Ruth Orkin

Director

Richie Andrusco

Joey

Rickie Brewster

Lennie

Winifred Cushing

Mother

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The Little Fugitive

The Little Fugitive (1953) The Little Fugitive (1953) The Little Fugitive (1953) The Little Fugitive (1953) The Little Fugitive (1953) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Joey (Richie Andrusco), a bratty 7-year-old kid from a tough Brooklyn, N.Y., neighborhood, is handed off to his older brother Lennie (Rickie Brewster) for the day. Fed up with his younger brother's obnoxiousness, Lennie and his pals play a cruel prank on the boy, leading him to think he has accidentally killed his brother. Running away in fear, Joey escapes to Coney Island, where he spends a full day and night exploring the excitement of the midway while his panicked brother searches for him.
Director
Ray Ashley, Morris Engel, Ruth Orkin
Producer
Morris Engel, Ray Ashley
Screenwriter
Ray Ashley, Morris Engel, Ruth Orkin
Production Co
Little Fugutive Production Company
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 6, 1953, Original
Release Date (DVD)
Nov 11, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA)
$20.7K
Runtime
1h 15m