Barefoot Boy (1938)

Other than using the same title this film has no connection to nor is there any film credit linking it to the poem by John Greenleaf Whittier. In this film, Kenneth Hale, a pampered, ... See full summary »

Director:

Karl Brown

Writers:

John T. Neville (original story and screenplay), John Greenleaf Whittier (poem)

Stars:

Jackie Moran, Marcia Mae Jones, Bradley Metcalfe

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jackie Moran	...	Billy Whittaker
Marcia Mae Jones	...	Pige Blaine
Bradley Metcalfe	...	Kenneth Hale
Johnnie Morris	...	Jeff Blaine
Marilyn Knowlden	...	Julia Blaine
Terry	...	Himself
Ralph Morgan	...	John Hale
Claire Windsor	...	Valerie Hale
Helen MacKellar	...	Martha Whittaker
Matty Fain	...	Blake
Frank Puglia	...	Hank
J. Farrell MacDonald	...	Warden
Charles D. Brown	...	Calvin Whittaker (as Chas. D. Brown)
Roger Gray	...	Dutch
Earle Hodgins	...	Sheriff

Storyline

Other than using the same title this film has no connection to nor is there any film credit linking it to the poem by John Greenleaf Whittier. In this film, Kenneth Hale, a pampered, snobbish young boy is sent by his father, John Hale, who has served time in prison for a crime he did not commit, down to the country farm of an old friend, Calvin Whittaker. The barefooted, honest and plucky Billy Whittaker, his girlfriend, Pige Bennett, and punky Kenneth get involved with a "haunted" house and a gang of crooks, while Billy helps make a "better man" out of Kenneth.

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Plot Keywords:

prison | haunted house | crook | henchman | small town | 

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Taglines:

Scrapping - Romancing - Gang-Busting!

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Crime | Drama | Mystery

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 August 1938 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Monogram Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

63 min

Sound Mix:

Mono Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

User Reviews

Annoying...

"Barefoot Boy" is a film that clearly demonstrates why it's in the public domain. Simply put, the film is annoying...very, very annoying. Unless you love films that star annoying pre-teens, then my advice is to avoid this one like the plague.

The film stars two boys--one a spoiled little $&!% who is simply too obviously awful to be believed. No child is that obnoxious and yet so adored by a parent!! Instead of a reasonable portrayal, it's all black & white--like a comic book. And, when this kid does horrible things, people either cover for him or resist the urge to bust him in the mouth--something I truly was hoping to see. And, it's a bad film that makes me root for child abuse!!! As far as the plot goes, it's a ridiculous mess involving the jerk kid going to live with a nice country boy, some stolen bonds, a father coming out of prison and some crooks pretending that they are ghosts. Believe me that the average Bowery Boys film is 1000% better! Bad acting, bad writing and bad direction...this one is just BAD!