Little Mister Jim

Seven-year old Jackie "Butch'' Jenkins (as "Little Jim" Tukker) and his cute dog "Wolf" are missing. Stationed in a wealthy military town, handsome father James Craig (as "Big Jim" Tukker) gets fellow officers to help search for his son. Uncommonly cheerful Chinese servant Ching Wah Lee (as Sui Jen) is frantic. Pretty wife Frances Gifford (as Jean) finds young Jenkins and the family returns to thinking about a "coming bundle from Heaven." Before the blessed event, Jenkins celebrates his eighth birthday. At his birthday party, the lucky tyke greedily gets more gifts than most kids get at Christmas...

Jenkins receives a bicycle from his parents and a knife from Mr. Ching, who shows uncommon patience in teaching Jenkins how the pedal. Unfortunately, this happy family receives some sad news. About 45 minutes into the running time, director Fred Zinnemann tries a strange scene which may be part-imaginary. Jenkins enters an empty, candlelit bedroom and watches his mother sleep. Dark topics and "Leave It to Beaver"-style antics next turn into a story about clashing "oriental" and mainstream cultures. The film's intentions may be honorable, but the overall effect is awkward and uneven.

***** Little Mister Jim (3/14/47) Fred Zinnemann ~ Jackie "Butch'' Jenkins, James Craig, Ching Wah Lee, Frances Gifford