"It's a Small World", despite the title, is NOT a Disney film but an exploitation film about a midget. And, incidentally, it was written and directed by William Castle--a guy who sure knew how to promote his films!
The film is about a fictional guy named Harry (Paul Dale). It starts with him as a 12 year-old (even though the actor appeared to be in his 30s or 40s) and his father is worried because his son stopped growing. Doctors are baffled and as the years pass, the boy's life gets tougher and tougher. His sister is a TOTAL b---- and is embarrassed by him-- and does little to hide this from poor Harry. And, as for most of the other folks in his life, they make fun of him and life is tough. So, he leaves home and goes in search of a new life. Unfortunately, he is befriended by some slime-bags who only want to exploit him. Can poor Harry somehow find love and acceptance some place?!
The film is very painful to watch. Some of it is because you know that the movie is exploiting Paul Dale and hearing folks making fun of him is very hard. Also, too often it seems like Castle tries to make his point by using sledgehammer symbolism and over-exaggerations. Sure, life can be VERY tough for a small person like this, but too often the film came off as a campy and over-the-top account of a life that cannot help but be fictional. Had they just dialed back the examples a bit, it would have made the film a lot easier to watch and realistic.
