Little Lord Fauntleroy (1936 film) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Little Lord Fauntleroy |
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| Directed by | John Cromwell |
| Produced by | David O. Selznick |
| Screenplay by | Hugh Walpole |
| Starring | Freddie Bartholomew Dolores Costello C. Aubrey Smith |
| Music by | Max Steiner |
| Cinematography | Charles Rosher |
| Editing by | Hal C. Kern |
| Studio | Selznick International Pictures |
| Distributed by | United Artists Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures (current) |
| Release date(s) | March 6, 1936 (United States) |
| Running time | 98 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $590,000 |
Little Lord Fauntleroy is a classic film from 1936. It's a drama film based on a popular book written in 1886 by Frances Hodgson Burnett. The movie stars Freddie Bartholomew, Dolores Costello, and C. Aubrey Smith. It was the very first film made by David O. Selznick's company, Selznick International Pictures. For a long time, it was their most successful movie, until Gone with the Wind came out. John Cromwell directed this film.
The film was very popular with critics when it was released. Today, anyone can watch it because it is in the public domain. In 2012, a restored version of the film was released on Blu-ray Disc.
What the Movie is About
This film tells the story of a young boy named Cedric "Ceddie" Errol. He lives in the 1880s in Brooklyn, New York, with his mother. Ceddie calls his mother "Dearest." They don't have much money because Ceddie's father has passed away.
Cedric's grandfather, the Earl of Dorincourt, lives in England. He is a very strict and proud man. He had stopped talking to his son (Ceddie's father) because his son married an American woman.
One day, the Earl sends his lawyer, Mr. Havisham, to America. He wants Ceddie to come to England. This is because all of the Earl's other sons have died. Ceddie is now the only person left to inherit the Earl's title and wealth.
Ceddie's mother goes with him to England. But the Earl does not let her live in his big castle. He still doesn't like that she is American. Ceddie's mother doesn't tell him this because she wants him to be happy. The lawyer, Mr. Havisham, is very impressed by Ceddie's mother. He tells the Earl that she won't even take money from him.
Cedric quickly wins over his stern grandfather and everyone else he meets. The Earl even throws a big party to introduce his grandson to important people in England. His sister, Lady Constantia Lorridaile, is also there.
After the party, Mr. Havisham tells the Earl some bad news. It seems Ceddie might not be the heir after all. A woman named Minna Tipton from America says her son, Tom, is the child of the Earl's oldest son. The Earl is heartbroken but accepts her claim. However, Tom turns out to be a very rude boy.
Luckily, Ceddie's friend Dick Tipton recognizes Minna from a newspaper picture. Dick takes his brother, Ben, to England. Ben is Tom's real father! This proves that Minna's claim was false. The Earl then says sorry to Ceddie's mother. He invites her to live with Ceddie at his estate, and Ceddie is very happy.
Meet the Cast
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Here are some of the main actors and the characters they played in Little Lord Fauntleroy:
- Freddie Bartholomew as Cedric "Ceddie" Errol, who becomes Lord Fauntleroy
- Dolores Costello Barrymore as "Dearest" Errol, Ceddie's mother
- C. Aubrey Smith as the Earl of Dorincourt, Ceddie's grandfather
- Guy Kibbee as Silas Hobbs, a friend from Brooklyn
- Henry Stephenson as Mr Havisham, the Earl's lawyer
- Mickey Rooney as Dick Tipton, another friend from Brooklyn
- Una O'Connor as Mary, the Errols' servant
- Constance Collier as Lady Constantia Lorridaile, the Earl's sister
- Jackie Searl as Tom Tipton, the boy who pretends to be the heir
- Jessie Ralph as the Applewoman from Brooklyn
- Helen Flint as Minna Tipton, Tom's mother
- Walter Kingsford as Joshua Snade, Minna's lawyer
- E. E. Clive as Sir Harry Lorridaile, Constantia's husband
- Ivan F. Simpson as Reverend Mordaunt
- Virginia Field as Miss Herbert, a singer at the party
- Eric Alden as Ben Tipton, Dick's brother
Movie Success
Little Lord Fauntleroy was a very successful film. By 1939, it had made about $447,000 in profit. This made it the most profitable movie for Selznick International Pictures for a while. It held that record until the even bigger hit, Gone With the Wind, was released.
