Little Lord Fauntleroy (1936)

An American boy turns out to be the long-lost heir of a British fortune. He is sent to live with the cold and unsentimental lord who oversees the trust.

Director:

John Cromwell

Writers:

Frances Hodgson Burnett (from the book by), Hugh Walpole (screen play)

Stars:

Freddie Bartholomew, Dolores Costello, C. Aubrey Smith

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Freddie Bartholomew	...	Ceddie
Dolores Costello	...	'Dearest' (as Dolores Costello Barrymore)
C. Aubrey Smith	...	The Earl of Dorincourt
Guy Kibbee	...	Mr. Hobbs
Henry Stephenson	...	Havisham
Mickey Rooney	...	Dick
Constance Collier	...	Lady Lorridaile
E.E. Clive	...	Sir Harry Lorridaile
Una O'Connor	...	Mary
Jackie Searl	...	Tom
Jessie Ralph	...	The Applewoman
Ivan F. Simpson	...	Rev. Mordaunt (as Ivan Simpson)
Helen Flint	...	Minna
Eric Alden	...	Ben
May Beatty	...	Mrs. Mellon

Storyline

After the death of Cedric ('Ceddie')'s English father, he and his mother live together in Brooklyn. Cedric's grandfather, the Earl of Dorincourt, had disowned Cedric's father when he married an American. But when the Earl's remaining son dies, he accepts Cedric as Lord Fauntleroy, his heir, and the Earl sends for Cedric and his mother. Cedric uses the first of his newly found wealth to do some favors for his old friends, and then heads to England, where he must try to overcome the Earl's dislike for Cedric's mother.

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Plot Keywords:

brooklyn new york city | inheritance | grandfather grandson relationship | 

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Genres:

Drama | Family

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Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 March 1936 (USA)

Also Known As:

Mali lord Fauntleroy

Filming Locations:

George Lewis Mansion - Benedict Canyon Drive, Bel Air, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Selznick International Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Victor High Fidelity System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The failure of the original copyright holder to renew the film's copyright resulted in it falling into public domain, meaning that virtually anyone could duplicate and sell a VHS/DVD copy of the film. Therefore, many of the versions of this film available on the market are either severely (and usually badly) edited and/or of extremely poor quality, having been duped from second- or third-generation (or more) copies of the film.

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Goofs

When Ceddie writes the note telling the estate manager not to evict Mr. Higgins, Lord Dorincourt folds the letter and puts his eye monocle in. Just as he is handing the note to Mr. Mordaunt, the shot changes to wide view and Lord Dorincourt is no longer wearing the eye monocle.

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Quotes

Earl of Dorincourt: If any one had told me I could be fond of a child, I should not have believed them. I always detested children - my own more than the rest. I am fond of this one and he is fond of me. I am not popular; I never was. But he is fond of me. He was never afraid of me - he always trusted me. He would have filled my place better than I have filled it. I know that. He would have been an honor to the name.

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Connections

Version of A kis lord (1918)

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Soundtracks

Jingle Bells
(1857) (uncredited)
Music by James Pierpont (uncredited)
In the score a bit at the beginning

User Reviews

Shameless but expert heartwarmer

Break out the insulin! This antique heartwarmer, awash in tears and goodness, is risibly sentimental, but David Selznick made it an expert entertainment as well. Plucky Freddie Bartholomew is just about irresistible as the Brooklyn boy who becomes an earl. Melting hearts left and right, he wins over his crusty grandfather, becomes a philanthropist in a sailor suit, and fights the local toughs to prove he is NOT a sissy! C.Aubrey Smith seemed born to play the venerable old gentleman, although he relies a bit too much on acting with his monocle. Mickey Rooney stands out as the loyal Brooklyn shoeshine boy. This is the film to watch if you've never actually heard anyone say, "Cheezit, the cops!"