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The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1938)
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Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
11 February 1938 (USA) moreTagline:
Everybody knows him! Everybody loves him! He's everybody's favorite boy! Mark Twain's most beloved story moreAwards:
Nominated for Oscar. Another 1 nomination moreNewsDesk:
(4 articles)
HuffPost Review: Where the Wild Things Are: The IMAX Experience (From Huffington Post. 16 October 2009, 7:31 AM, PDT)
Patrick Waller is Tom Sawyer for Nashville Children's Theatre 9/22-10/11
(From BroadwayWorld.com. 11 October 2009, 2:30 AM, PDT)
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Tears Along the Mississippi more (13 total)Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| 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 |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parentsRuntime:
Spain:77 min | USA:91 minCountry:
USALanguage:
EnglishColor:
Color (Technicolor)Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 moreSound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Sound System)Certification:
USA:TV-G (TV rating) | Finland:K-12 (1951) | Finland:S (1938) | USA:Approved (certificate #3745)Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Marcia Mae Jones was originally signed to play Becky Thatcher. Because of a growth spurt, she was recast as Mary Sawyer. moreSoundtrack:
Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean moreFAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (13 total)
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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