SHOP TOM BROWN'S...
IMDb >
Tom Brown's School Days (1940)
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summaryplot synopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglinestrailers and videospostersphoto galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsTom Brown's School Days (1940)
| Photos (see all 1 | slideshow) |
Overview
Release Date:
19 July 1940 (USA) moreTagline:
THE GREATEST SCHOOL-STORY EVER WRITTEN COMES TO THE SCREEN IN ALL ITS GLORY! (original print ad - all caps)Plot:
A young boy starts at Rugby boarding school. He is tormented by Flashman, the school bully. full summary | add synopsisUser Comments:
Young Tom Brown tests his mettle at a tough British Public school. moreCast
(Complete credited cast)| Cedric Hardwicke | ... | Dr. Thomas Arnold (as Sir Cedric Hardwicke) | |
| Freddie Bartholomew | ... | East | |
| Jimmy Lydon | ... | Tom Brown | |
| Josephine Hutchinson | ... | Mrs. Mary Arnold | |
| Billy Halop | ... | Flashman | |
| Polly Moran | ... | Sally Harowell | |
| Hughie Green | ... | Walker Brooke | |
| Ernest Cossart | ... | Squire Brown | |
| Alec Craig | ... | Old Thomas | |
| Gale Storm | ... | Effie |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parentsRuntime:
86 minCountry:
USALanguage:
EnglishColor:
Black and WhiteAspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 moreSound Mix:
Mono (RCA Recording System)MOVIEmeter: 
Fun Stuff
Quotes:
Old Grimey: Moral principles! What's a school boy to do with moral principles? Feed him one end and beat him the other! That's education! moreFAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more
Message Boards
Discuss this title with other users on IMDb message board for Tom Brown's School Days (1940)| Recent Posts (updated daily) | User |
|---|---|
| Harry Flashman | armigerous-1 |
| John Charlesworth | hayleys_livin_on_a_prayer |
Recommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
| Tom Brown's Schooldays | Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix | Bridge to Terabithia | Unendliche Geschichte, Die | Tom Brown's Schooldays |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| IMDb Drama section | IMDb USA section | Add this title to MyMovies |








Pinch-penny version of the oft-filmed fictionalized memoir (rushed out by RKO to pick up any GOODBYE, MR CHIPS backsplash) is remarkably clear-eyed in detailing the petty (and not so petty) sadism of British "public" schools, as well as its harrowing ostracism, despair & loneliness. Thomas Arnold's 19th century school reforms are alluded to, but neither dramatized nor properly integrated into the dorm dungeon life which the reliable director Robert Stevenson unintentionally(?) exposes. A good cast mixes real Brits like Cedric Hardwicke & Freddie Bartholomew with Yankee ringers who come off better than you might expect. Especially the Flashman, played by DEAD END kid Billy Halop, who makes a convincingly threatening top boy. Added bonus value: dig those musical lifts from Verdi's FALSTAFF in Anthony Collins' score. And you might want to try this out on a HARRY POTTER fan who wants to know where schools like Hogwarts come from. No quidditch field, but the school is called Rugby.