The Little Giant

The Little Giant

Year: 1933

Runtime: 76 mins

Language: English

Director: Roy Del Ruth

CrimeComedyRelationship comedyCharming romances and delightful chemistryGritty crime and ruthless gangsters

As Prohibition ends, bootlegger Bugs Ahearn aims for respectable California society. He rents a house from down‑on‑her‑luck Ruth and makes her his social secretary. After rescuing Polly Cass from a horse‑fall, he meets her father, who sells him fake stock certificates. Realizing he's been duped, Bugs calls the Chicago mob for help.

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Timeline & Setting – The Little Giant (1933)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Little Giant (1933). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

October 1990

The movie is set in October 1990, a period marked by a transitional era in law enforcement technology and forensic analysis. The early 90s also reflect social concerns about crime rates, especially regarding serial killers and urban violence. The time period influences the characters' attitudes, technology used, and the overall atmosphere of suspense and investigation.

Location

Los Angeles, Kern County

Los Angeles is a sprawling city known for its entertainment industry, diverse culture, and iconic landmarks. Kern County, located nearby, features desert landscapes and is less densely populated, providing a stark contrast to LA's urban environment. The setting shifts between the bustling city and the quieter, gritty outskirts, emphasizing themes of contrast and hidden darkness.

🌆 Urban 🎨 Artistic 🚗 Southern California

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:46

Main Characters – The Little Giant (1933)

Meet the key characters of The Little Giant (1933), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Deke (Joe) Deacon (Denzel Washington)

A former detective battling personal demons and a past trauma that led to a breakdown. Deke is obsessive, haunted by his failure to save victims, and driven by a desire for redemption. His experience and intuition make him a relentless investigator, despite his internal struggles.

🧠 Experienced 🔎 Haunted 💔 Broken

Jimmy Baxter (Rami Malek)

A young, ambitious detective eager to prove himself. Jimmy is determined but struggles with doubts about his methods and the moral limits of investigation. His relationship with Deke is complex, mixing respect with internal conflict over the case's darker aspects.

🎯 Determined 🧍‍♂️ Ambitious ⚖️ Moral conflict

Albert Sparma (Jared Leto)

A suspect with a fascination for serial killers, seemingly manipulative and cunning. Albert's ambiguous innocence and disturbing fixation on the case make him a psychologically complex character. His interactions with law enforcement reveal his manipulative and unsettling traits.

🧠 Manipulative 😈 Creepy 🕵️ Suspicious

Ronda Rathbun (Maya Kazan)

A young woman whose mysterious disappearance prompts the investigation. She appears to be an ordinary person caught in extraordinary circumstances, embodying vulnerability and lost innocence. Her case is pivotal in revealing the darker elements of the narrative.

👧 Vulnerable 🔎 Mysterious 🎭 Symbolic

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:46

Major Themes – The Little Giant (1933)

Explore the central themes of The Little Giant (1933), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🔍 Obsession

The film explores the obsessive nature of detectives when pursuing serial killers, highlighting how personal trauma and past failures influence their methods. Deke's haunted history fuels his relentless pursuit of the truth, illustrating how obsession can both solve and complicate crime-solving.

🧩 Truth and Deception

The movie delves into the theme of truth versus deception, both in the investigation process and within the characters' personal lives. The cover-up of evidence, Jimmy's internal struggle, and Deke's sacrifices reflect the complex nature of uncovering truth amid moral ambiguity.

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:46

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The Little Giant Summary

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The Little Giant Summary

The Little Giant Timeline

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The Little Giant Timeline

The Little Giant Spoiler-Free Summary

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The Little Giant Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Little Giant

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The Little Giant (1933) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

The Little Giant (1933) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

The Little Giant (1933) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow