Little Fugitive

An interesting attempt to "update" the one of a kind classic, Little Fugitive made in 1953 by Morris Engel, Ruth Orkin, and Ray Ashley. (I'm not sure the term "remake" applies here). Beautifully photographed by Rick Sands and appealingly acted by David Castro and Nicolas Salgado. Peter Dinklage is typically powerful, but under used in a relatively small role. While it lacks the charm and depth of the 1954 film it is an honest and sincere effort to make some intellectualized statements about Coney Island's Dreamland and its premature baby in incubators and children from broken homes and dysfunctional families. Sometimes preachy but none the less an interesting directorial debut, by Joanna Lipper although one might question the advisability of a "remake" or "reworking" of a classic as a choice for her initial bow in narrative films.

Historically significant is a brief appearance in the film by Morris Engel (sitting on a skee ball machine), shortly before his death.