The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1938)

User Rating:

7.3/10   

Director:

Norman Taurog

Writers:

Mark Twain (novel)
John V.A. Weaver (screenplay)

Release Date:

11 February 1938 (USA)

Genre:

Family | Adventure

Tagline:

Everybody knows him! Everybody loves him! He's everybody's favorite boy! Mark Twain's most beloved story

Plot:

Misadventures of a mischievous boy in 1850 Missouri.

Plot Keywords:

Missouri | Graveyard | Island | Cave | Murder

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 1 nomination

Cast

May Robson	...	Aunt Polly
Walter Brennan	...	Muff Potter
Victor Jory	...	Injun Joe
David Holt	...	Sid Sawyer
Victor Kilian	...	Sheriff
Nana Bryant	...	Mrs. Thatcher
Olin Howland	...	Mr. Dobbins - Schoolmaster
Donald Meek	...	Sunday School Superintendent
Charles Richman	...	Judge Thatcher
Margaret Hamilton	...	Mrs. Harper
Marcia Mae Jones	...	Mary Sawyer
Mickey Rentschler	...	Joe Harper
Cora Sue Collins	...	Amy Lawrence
Philip Hurlic	...	Little Jim
Ann Gillis	...	Becky Thatcher

Runtime:

Spain:77 min | USA:91 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Certification:

USA:TV-G (TV rating) | Finland:K-12 (1951) | Finland:S (1938) | USA:Approved (certificate #3745)

Filming Locations:

Big Bear Lake, California, USA

Company:

Selznick International Pictures

Trivia:

Marcia Mae Jones was originally signed to play Becky Thatcher. Because of a growth spurt, she was recast as Mary Sawyer.

Movie Connections:

Version of Priklyucheniya Toma Soyera i Geklberri Finna (1981) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean

Tears Along the Mississippi

Mark Twain's classic characters are brought back to life, by David O. Selznick, for an updated movie adaptation. For the first time, Tom and Huck are seen in color (specifically, "Technicolor"), which contributes to the film's main strength: it looks storybook beautiful. The reliance on set pieces seems entirely appropriate, giving the film great style; and, they are very well done. The cinematography, by James Wong Howe, is remarkable.

The story wavers from true triumph, however, in the direction of the characters; the "cuteness quotient" is set far too high. Many tears flow. Tommy Kelly (as Tom Sawyer) suffers the most, of course, being the lead player. It should be emphasized, however, that this is not due to his effort; under the circumstances, Mr. Kelly performs well. Jackie Moran (as Huckleberry Finn) is a cute best friend; but, not much like the "Huck" from Twain's book. Ann Gillis (as Becky Thatcher) is a cute girl friend. The players are all good, but May Robson (as Aunt Polly) seems the truest.

While more cute than mischievous, and far too clean, "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" is good enough to stand on its own. The familiar "lost in the caves" ending is a great climax; and, Victor Jory (as Injun Joe) still startles. The scene of "Tom" emerging, at last, from the caves -- his black silhouette shot against the blue sky of freedom -- is indelible.

******* The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1938) Norman Taurog ~ Tommy Kelly, Jackie Moran, May Robson