The Little Archer (1949) User Reviews

Awww, Who Could Shoot These Little Creatures?

[ccthemovieman-1 · 6/10 · 9 March 2010]

This 1949 short was a bonus feature on the "Johnny Belinda" DVD.

It's basically showing a zoo act, except it's in a nearby "forest" and backyard of a family. It's three animals that all get along and play with each other: a baby bear, cougar and deer. Yes, it's a strange combination which, I'm sure, is the reason for the short movie. It's odd to see three animals like this playing.

A "story" is put with it, but it's not much a story. They have a little boy, Melvin Beebe, who is a great archer for his young age. We see his talent on display in the backyard. Soon, he's ready to hunt real animals but when he comes upon these guys, he can't fire an arrow. Instead, we wind up witnessing the trio romping and playing.

This is a "Bambi" lovers, obviously. Marvin Miller's narration is really corny, but - hey - it's 1949 and that's the cornball stuff of the day. In a way, it's refreshing.

"...the mighty hunter has found a friend".

[classicsoncall · 5/10 · 24 May 2016]

I'm constantly amazed at the size of the database IMDb has compiled when I come across an eight minute short like this and can actually look it up on the site. Is there anything that hasn't found it's way here yet?

Well I guess this was kind of cute back in the day and might appeal to youngsters today on the basis of the animal cubs introduced by the story. The only human character is Melvin Beebe, a four year old marksman proficient at his young age for shooting a bow and arrow. I hazard to think what the PC police would have to say about this film short today, it goes against all the strictures liberalism is fond of placing on boys being boys.

Fortunately, what looks like the premise of the movie starting out doesn't come into play. Our four year old big game hunter never attempts to shoot any of the animals he comes across in the forest, a spotted fawn, a black bear cub and a young mountain lion. Nor were these animals in any way natural enemies as they playfully interacted with each other while Melvin kept a watchful eye. This is the kind of story that would have delighted me as a kid, and it's not too bad even today, other than the droning voice of the narrator who might have paused every now and then to just enjoy the action.

Cutesy-Wootsy

[boblipton · 4/10 · 6 October 2023]

Here's one of Warner Brothers' short subjects that seems intended more to show off the excellence of the Technicolor process than to tell a story. I freely admit that even my usually idiosyncratic judgment is impaired, because this is one of those shorts that make me bilious, even nauseated.

It starts out with a little boy, three or four years old who likes to shoot his bow and arrow, and leaves his home one day to hunt in the forest. Except that he's too kind-hearted, so he brings home three new friends: a black bear cub, a faun, and a bobcat kitten, all of whom romp about on the family farm, while narrator Marvin Miller seems enchanted by the prospect.

I was not.

Cute Short

[Michael_Elliott · 21 May 2012]

The Little Archer (1949)

** (out of 4)

Cute if rather unmemorable short takes a look at Melvin Beebe, a boy from Washington who is a master shot with a bow and arrow. The documentary starts off showing his skill by hitting some targets and then he sets out to become a great hunter but when he encounters a bear, a mountain lion and a deer, he must decide whether or not to kill them. This is a pretty harmless short from Warner that most adults will probably be bored with but I'd say some kids might enjoy seeing the three animals. I think young children of today could also enjoy it because it was shot in Technicolor so this will probably help with that. The color footage is actually pretty good and it really helps in the nature scenes. The story itself really isn't all that memorable and you have to wonder why this kid wants to be a great hunter and yet doesn't want to kill. Either way, this is mildly entertaining and harmless enough for at least one viewing.