The Little Ones

The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "Once the sordid opening phase of the narrative is past, this film moves into a rich and attractive vein of humour, The engaging personalities and natural acting of the two youngsters, as well as Dudley Foster's characterisation of the police inspector, have a good deal to do with the film's success. But it is also deftly directed, and has an excellent script which surmounts the treacherous hurdle of children's dialogue with flying colours: the chatter and observations of the two boys has a nicely truthful ring. This is a slight film, perhaps, but eminently rewarding in its own field – and way above the standard of the average second feature."^[2]

Variety wrote: "This is unpretentious and not more than a useful program filler, But it is entertaining, produced and directed professionally, and has a stamp of sincerity which is engaging.  ... O'Connolly's script is often naive, and the characters of the white lad's parents are stridently overdrawn. But somehow the simple yarn works. His direction is straightforward and a nice blend of humor and atmosphere. Location scenes in London and Liverpool have been caught well. Other credits, including Malcolm Lockyer's score and Arthur Fell's sets, are okay within the simple limits of budget. Carl Gonzales, as the half caste nipper, and Kim Smith, as his younger buddy are natural youngsters. Young Smith's thin voice is sometimes a strain on the ears. Dudley Foster turns in a sympathetic stint as a harassed police inspector."^[3]

• The Little Ones at IMDb
• The Little Ones at the New York Times