Little Lord Fauntleroy (1980 film) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Little Lord Fauntleroy |
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| Directed by | Jack Gold |
| Produced by | Norman Rosemont |
| Written by | Frances Hodgson Burnett (novel) Blanche Hanalis (teleplay) |
| Starring | Rick Schroder Alec Guinness Eric Porter Colin Blakely Connie Booth |
| Music by | Allyn Ferguson |
| Cinematography | Arthur Ibbetson |
| Editing by | Keith Palmer |
| Release date(s) | December 1980 |
| Running time | 103 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Little Lord Fauntleroy is a heartwarming 1980 British family movie. It was directed by Jack Gold. The film stars Alec Guinness and Rick Schroder. It tells the story of a young boy who discovers he is a rich English lord. The movie is based on a famous children's book from 1886. The book was written by Frances Hodgson Burnett.
Contents
The Story of Little Lord Fauntleroy
Cedric's Life in Brooklyn
The movie begins in the 1870s in Brooklyn, New York. A young boy named Cedric 'Ceddie' Errol lives there. He lives with his mother, who is a widow. They are not rich, but they live with dignity. Cedric's father was the favorite son of his grandfather. His grandfather was a very important English nobleman, the Earl of Dorincourt. But the Earl had stopped talking to Cedric's father. This was because his son married someone who was not from a noble family.
Cedric had two good friends in Brooklyn. One was Mr. Hobbs, the grocer. Mr. Hobbs did not like noble titles or rich people. The other friend was Dick Tipton, who shined shoes.
A New Life in England
Sadly, the Earl's other two sons passed away. This meant that Cedric was now the next in line to become the Earl. So, Lord Dorincourt sent his lawyer, Mr. Havisham, to America. Mr. Havisham's job was to bring Cedric to Britain. The Earl also gave money for expensive gifts for Cedric. But Cedric chose to help his friends instead. He bought a special gold watch for Mr. Hobbs. He also helped Dick buy out his business partner.
Cedric's mother went with him to England. However, the Earl did not allow her to live in his big castle. She also could not meet him. She was given a house and money to live comfortably. She did not tell Cedric about his grandfather's difficult personality. Mr. Havisham, the lawyer, was very impressed with Cedric's mother. She was dignified and smart. She also started helping the poor people who lived on the Earl's land.
Winning Over the Earl
Cedric was very happy that he could help his friends. He thought his grandfather must be a kind man, even though he hadn't met him. This kind thought soon won over his stern grandfather's heart. Everyone who lived on the Earl's estate loved Cedric too. He even inspired his grandfather to care more about his tenants.
Slowly, the Earl started to change. He threw a big party to introduce Cedric to English society. His sister, Lady Constantia, who he hadn't spoken to in a long time, also came. Lady Constantia was very impressed with both Cedric and his mother.
A Surprising Claim
After the party, Mr. Havisham told the Earl some bad news. Someone claimed Cedric might not be the true heir. An American dancer named Minna Errol said she was married to the Earl's second son, Bevis. She claimed her son, Tom, was Bevis's child. The Earl was heartbroken but felt he had to accept her claim. Minna seemed uneducated and only interested in money.
The Truth Comes Out
However, Dick, Cedric's friend from Brooklyn, saw Minna's picture in a newspaper. He recognized her! She was actually the former wife of his own brother, Ben. And Tom was Ben's son, not the Earl's grandson. Dick and Ben quickly traveled to the United Kingdom. They confronted Minna and proved her claim was false.
The Earl was overjoyed. He apologized to Cedric's mother. He then invited her to live with Cedric in his grand estate. The small family, along with their friends and servants, had a wonderful Christmas dinner together.
Meet the Cast
- Rick Schroder as Cedric Errol, also known as Lord Fauntleroy
- Alec Guinness as John Arthur Molyneux Errol, the Earl of Dorincourt
- Connie Booth as Mrs. Errol, Cedric's mother
- Eric Porter as Mr. Havisham, the Earl's lawyer
- Colin Blakely as Silas Hobbs, Cedric's friend from Brooklyn
- Rachel Kempson as Lady Lorradaile, the Earl's sister
- Carmel McSharry as Mary, Mrs. Errol's helper
- Antonia Pemberton as Dawson, the Earl's head housekeeper
- Rolf Saxon as Dick Tipton, Cedric's friend who shines shoes
- John Cater as Thomas, the Butler
- Peter Copley as Reverend Muldaur
- Patsy Rowlands as Mrs. Dibble
- Ann Way as Miss Smiff, the village dressmaker
- Patrick Stewart as Wilkins, the riding teacher
- Gerry Cowper as Mellon, the room service
- Edward Wiley as Ben Tipton, Dick's brother
- Kate Harper as Minna Tipton, the dancer
- Tony Melody as Mr. Kimsey
- Rohan McCullough as Lady Grace
- Dicon Murray as Georgie
- Ballard Berkeley as Sir Harry Lorradaile
- John Southworth as Higgins
- Norman Pitt as Lord Ashbey Delefante
- Bill Nighy as an Officer (uncredited)
Where and When it Was Shown
Little Lord Fauntleroy first appeared on television in the United States. This happened on November 25, 1980, on the CBS network. Then, in December 1980, it was shown in movie theaters in the United Kingdom. A German version of the film was first shown in Germany on December 26, 1982. The movie has become a special Christmas tradition in Germany. It is shown every year on the national TV channel Das Erste.
