Tom Sawyer (1973)

User Rating:

6.3/10   

Director:

Don Taylor

Writers:

Mark Twain (novel)
Robert B. Sherman (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

15 March 1973 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Musical | Family

Tagline:

The Great Family Musical !

Plot:

Tom Sawyer and his pal Huckleberry Finn have great adventures on the Mississippi River, pretending to be pirates...

Plot Keywords:

Mississippi River | River | Remake | Friendship | Switch

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 2 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Sun. July 19

10:00 AM

TCM

Cast

Johnny Whitaker	...	Tom Sawyer
Celeste Holm	...	Aunt Polly
Warren Oates	...	Muff Potter
Jeff East	...	Huckleberry Finn
Jodie Foster	...	Becky Thatcher
Lucille Benson	...	Widder Douglas
Henry Jones	...	Mr. Dobbins
Noah Keen	...	Judge Thatcher
Dub Taylor	...	Clayton
Richard Eastham	...	Doc Robinson
Sandy Kenyon	...	Constable Clemmens
Joshua Hill Lewis	...	Cousin Sidney
Susan Joyce	...	Cousin Mary
Steve Hogg	...	Ben Rogers
Sean Summers	...	Billy Fisher

Also Known As:

A Musical Adaptation of Mark Twain's 'Tom Sawyer' (USA) (promotional title)
Mark Twain's Tom Sawyer: A Musical Adaptation (USA) (complete title)

Runtime:

104 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System) | 70 mm 6-Track

Certification:

Finland:S | Sweden:Btl | USA:G

Filming Locations:

Arrow Rock, Missouri, USA

Company:

Reader's Digest

Quotes:

[first lines]
Tom Sawyer: Hello Huckleberry.
Huckleberry Finn: How come you're playin' hooky?
Tom Sawyer: Same as you.
Huckleberry Finn: Never spent a day in school in my life.

Movie Connections:

Remake of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1938)

Soundtrack:

River Song

(I Can't Get No) Gratification

A wide-eyed, whitewashed version of Mark Twain's Mississippi classic "Tom Sawyer", unsuccessfully transformed into a musical. The adaptation begins by showing off its high production values; and, the cast and crew feature many capable professionals; however, they do not add up to anything of substantial merit. The first clue something is terribly wrong occurs when Celeste Holm (as Aunt Polly) sings "Tom Sawyer!"; the crude, uncouth boy she sings about doesn't really describe the part Johnny Whitaker is playing.

The musical numbers are predicable (It's called "Gratification"!) and, sometimes, atrocious. The obvious exception is the outstanding soundtrack song "River Theme", sung by Charley Pride, who does not appear. The filmmakers would have been wise to include an actual singer or two in the cast.

Little leading lady Jodie Foster (as Becky Thatcher) and Whitaker are good in their "first meeting" scene. Character actor Henry Jones (as Mr. Dobbins) is always a pleasure. Mr. Whitaker and Jeff East (as Huckleberry Finn) are the actual co-stars; and, their "Freebootin'" is a relative highlight. Very likable, but ill cast, Mr. East would return in his character's sequel "Huckleberry Finn" (1974) ***.