I'm a big fan of old movies (keep my TV tuned to TCM mostly) and I've been noticing Gene Reynolds a lot more lately. I'm sure I've been aware of him in the past because looking at his credits I've seen several of his films as a child star. Why he's not better known for this is a wonder to me.
Slightly Spoilerish Plot Points below.
I watched The Penalty this morning and he was just great in this film. It's a slight little film (less than 90 minutes) but it was long enough for him to make a transition from a tough gangster's kid to a responsible ward of a good farmer. He conveys emotions well. He's just as good as Freddy Bartholomew or Mickey Rooney, who I supposed were the biggest male child stars of the late 30's and early 40's. In fact he's more subtle than Rooney, whom I admire.
The rest of cast is good too including Edward Arnold as the father, Robert Sterling as his guardian, and Marsha Hunt & Lionel Barrymore as neighbors who help Sterling turn the boy around.
Slightly Spoilerish Plot Points below.
I watched The Penalty this morning and he was just great in this film. It's a slight little film (less than 90 minutes) but it was long enough for him to make a transition from a tough gangster's kid to a responsible ward of a good farmer. He conveys emotions well. He's just as good as Freddy Bartholomew or Mickey Rooney, who I supposed were the biggest male child stars of the late 30's and early 40's. In fact he's more subtle than Rooney, whom I admire.
The rest of cast is good too including Edward Arnold as the father, Robert Sterling as his guardian, and Marsha Hunt & Lionel Barrymore as neighbors who help Sterling turn the boy around.