Tommy Kelly as Tom Sawyer
Producer David O. Selznick couldn’t resist the stereotypical roles and Hollywod comedy pranks, that may frustrate modern viewers (like a pie in the face), in this 1938 The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. It is Tommy Kelly’s first film role and his acting varies from scene to scene. Better cast is Jackie Moran as the laconic, pipe-smoking Huck Finn. But this version is so beloved by many it’s hard for me to believe that Turner hasn’t released it on DVD.
Tommy Kelly
Never forcing its pace, Director Norman Taurog manages to include most of Twain’s classic 1850 Missouri boyhood antics: including the fence-whitewashing episode, Tom’s rescue of Becky Thatcher (Anne Gillis) from the wrath of their schoolmaster (Olin Howlin), Tom and Huck’s “death and resurrection” after the boys briefly skipped town for an idyll few days on a remote island, the murder trial of town drunk Muff Potter (Walter Brennan) and ultimately unmasking of the vicious Injun Joe (Victor Jory) as the real killer… and of course the chilling climax in the cave, wherein Tom protects Becky from the fugitive Injun Joe.
The film shines in it’s supporting characters. Australian-native May Robeson, who portrays Aunt Polly, is believable transiting from the crusty harsh caretaker to loveable Aunt. There is a vaunerability to Walter Brennan’s Muff Potter, the town drunk. We should mention the interesting performance of Mickey Rentschler as Joe Harper.
Philip Hurlic & Tommy Kelly
Selznik makes Jim a houseboy instead of a man in this version. And I suppose it’s the stereo-typical characterization of blacks and indians that keeps this version from being released widely on DVD. The same could be said for Disney’s “Song of the South” (1946), although that hasn’t stopped the Bobby Breen films of the 40’s from finding a a DVD release.
Remarkably, the numerous child stars in this film were destined for unhappy lives. David Holt (Sid) spent his early life as a child actor in poverty as he, much like Tommy Kelly, waited for star-making film roles which never came. Jackie Moran (Huckleberry Finn) soared briefly towards elusive stardom when he was cast as the energetic sidekick of Buster Crabbe in the “Buck Rogers” (1939) serial. Immediately afterwards, Moran’s career plummeted into oblivion. Perhaps the only exception to this streak of bad luck was Ann Gillis (Becky Thatcher) who found herself always in demand to portray a screen brat. All would leave the film industry by the time they were in their early 20’s.
Tommy Kelly
The cut-up screen antics, although fun, are at time distracting. The few moments that Tom becomes reflective, some comedy prank pulls us away from what could be a dramatic scene of thoughful insightfulness. This is especially true after Tom witnesses a murder by Indian Joe. In disbelief Tom sits in a chair in the house and along comes Aunt Polly with the cod-liver oil, her remedy to brighten up a moody boy.
Loved by many and often consider the best version of the story (that could be debated) it is certainly a captivating and fun film. Jackie Moran is excellent in the limited screen time he gets as Huckleberry Finn. Although not the first screen version of the novel (Jack Pickford, Mary’s brother, played him in the 1917 silent version – and there is a silent 1907 short also), this is a good place to start when analyzing Mark Twain on the big screen.
1938 Selznick International Pictures Director Norman Taurog with Tommy Kelly, Jackie Moran, May Robeson and Ann Gillis.
