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 1938 American drama film produced by David O. Selznick and directed by Norman Taurog who had previously directed Huckleberry Finn (1931 film) (1931) with Jackie Coogan and Junior Durkin. The film starred Tommy Kelly in the title role, with Jackie Moran and Ann Gillis. The screenplay by John V. A. Weaver was based on the classic 1876 novel of the same name by Mark Twain. The movie was the first film version of the novel to be made in color.
Plot
The United Artists release includes most of the sequences familiar to readers of the book, including the fence-whitewashing episode; a wild raft ride down the Mississippi River; Tom and Huckleberry Finn's attendance at their own funeral, after the boys, who were enjoying an adventure on a remote island, are presumed dead; the murder trial of local drunkard Muff Potter; and Tom and Becky Thatcher's flight through a cave as they try to escape from Injun Joe, who is revealed to be the real killer.
Cast
- 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)
Award nominations
It received a nomination for an Oscar for Best Art Direction, and the Venice Film Festival Mussolini Cup for Best Film.
Financial performance
The film lost $302,000 at the box office.
Sequel
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer released a version of Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn with a different cast the following year, replacing Jackie Moran with Mickey Rooney.
See also
In Spanish: Las aventuras de Tom Sawyer (película de 1938) para niños
