Little Miss Marker (1980)

Little Miss Marker is a 1980 American comedy-drama film directed & written by Walter Bernstein (in his directorial debut), starring Walter Matthau, Tony Curtis, Julie Andrews, Bob Newhart and Sara Stimson.
The film is a remake of the 1934 Shirley Temple film.
==Plot==
Set in 1934, bookie Sorrowful Jones (Walter Matthau) is confronted by a gambler named Carter (Andrew Rubin) who is unable to pay a $10 debt and gives his six-year-old daughter (Sara Stimson) to Sorrowful's gambling operation (run by gangsters) for a bet. After Carter loses his bet & commits suicide, the gangsters are left with his daughter.
==Cast==
*Walter Matthau as Sorrowful Jones
*Julie Andrews as Amanda Worthington
*Tony Curtis as Blackie
*Bob Newhart as Regret
*Sara Stimson as The Kid
*Brian Dennehy as Herbie
*Kenneth McMillan as Brannigan
*Lee Grant as the Judge
*Andrew Rubin as Carter, the Kid's Father
==Production==
"Little Miss Marker" was filmed in Santa Rosa, California.
For the role of The Kid, there was a talent search for young girls and six-year-old Sara Stimson was chosen for the role despite the fact that she had no prior acting experience. This would be the only acting credit to date for her.
==Reception==
===Box Office===
"Little Miss Marker" grossed $853,173 during its opening weekend. Domestically, the film grossed $6,321,392.
===Critical Reception===
On Rotten Tomatoes, "Little Miss Marker" was given a 54% audience approval rating.
Roger Ebert gave the film a three-star rating, calling it "a thoroughly pleasant, lightweight comedy."
==Accolades==
Young Artist Awards
*Best Major Motion Picture-Family Entertainment (nominated)
Category:1980 films
Category:1980s films
Category:American comedy-drama films
Category:Universal Pictures films