The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1938 film) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Adventures of Tom Sawyer |
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UK DVD cover
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| Directed by | Norman Taurog H. C. Potter (fired, uncredited) George Cukor (uncredited) William A. Wellman (uncredited) |
| Produced by | David O. Selznick |
| Written by | John V.A. Weaver Marshall Neilan (uncredited) |
| Starring | Tommy Kelly Jackie Moran May Robson Ann Gillis |
| Music by | Max Steiner (uncredited) |
| Cinematography | James Wong Howe |
| Studio | Selznick International Pictures |
| Distributed by | United Artists |
| Release date(s) | February 17, 1938(New York City) |
| Running time | 91 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $1.5 million |
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is a classic American film from 1938. It was produced by David O. Selznick and directed by Norman Taurog. The movie stars Tommy Kelly as Tom Sawyer, with Jackie Moran and Ann Gillis. The story is based on the famous 1876 book by Mark Twain. This film was special because it was the first time the story was made into a movie in color!
Contents
Tom Sawyer's Exciting Story
This movie, released by United Artists, brings many famous parts of the book to life. You'll see Tom Sawyer tricking his friends into whitewashing a fence. There's also a wild raft ride down the Mississippi River.
Tom and his best friend, Huckleberry Finn, even attend their own funeral! This happens after everyone thinks they are dead. But really, the boys were just having an adventure on a secret island.
The film also shows the trial of Muff Potter. Tom and his friend Becky Thatcher then try to escape from the dangerous Injun Joe in a cave. Injun Joe is shown to be the real person who committed a crime.
Meet the Cast
Here are the main actors who brought the characters to life in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer:
- Tommy Kelly as Tom Sawyer
- Jackie Moran as Huckleberry Finn
- Ann Gillis as Becky Thatcher
- May Robson as Aunt Polly
- Walter Brennan as Muff Potter
- Victor Jory as Injun Joe
- David Holt as Sid Sawyer
- Victor Kilian as Sheriff
- Nana Bryant as Mrs. Thatcher
- Olin Howland as Mr. Dobbins, school teacher
- Donald Meek as Sunday School Superintendent
- Charles Richman as Judge Thatcher
- Margaret Hamilton as Mrs. Harper
- Marcia Mae Jones as Mary Sawyer
- Mickey Rentschler as Joe Harper
- Cora Sue Collins as Amy Lawrence
- Philip Hurlic as Little Jim
- Frank McGlynn Sr. as Minister (uncredited)
- Roland Drew as Dr. Robinson (uncredited)
- Spring Byington as Widow Douglas (uncredited)
Awards and Recognition
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer was nominated for an Oscar for Best Art Direction. This award recognizes the best design of the movie's sets and overall look. The film also won the Mussolini Cup for Best Film at the Venice Film Festival.
About the Sequel Film
The year after The Adventures of Tom Sawyer came out, a different movie studio, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, released a film based on Twain's other famous book, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. It had a different cast, with Mickey Rooney playing Huckleberry Finn instead of Jackie Moran.
See also
In Spanish: Las aventuras de Tom Sawyer (película de 1938) para niños
