The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1939 film)
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn | |
---|---|
![]() Theatrical release poster | |
Directed by | Richard Thorpe |
Written by | Hugo Butler Waldo Salt (uncredited dialogue) |
Based on | Adventures of Huckleberry Finn 1884 novel by Mark Twain |
Produced by | Joseph L. Mankiewicz |
Starring | Mickey Rooney Walter Connolly William Frawley Rex Ingram |
Cinematography | John F. Seitz |
Edited by | Frank E. Hull Harold F. Kress (sup.)[1] |
Music by | Franz Waxman |
Production company | |
Distributed by | Loew's Inc.[2] |
Release date |
|
Running time | 92 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a 1939 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film adaptation of Mark Twain's 1884 novel of the same name, starring Mickey Rooney in the title role. The supporting cast features Walter Connolly, William Frawley and Rex Ingram. It was remade by MGM in 1960. A musical version was released in 1974.
Plot summary[edit]
![]() | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (November 2022) |
Cast[edit]
- Mickey Rooney as Huckleberry Finn
- Walter Connolly as the "King"
- William Frawley as the "Duke"
- Rex Ingram as Jim
- Lynne Carver as Mary Jane
- Jo Ann Sayers as Susan
- Minor Watson as Captain Brandy
- Elisabeth Risdon as the widow Douglas
- Victor Kilian as "Pap" Finn
- Clara Blandick as Miss Watson
- Harry Cording as Man Stealing Watermelon (uncredited)
- Frank Darien as Old Jailer (uncredited)
Reception[edit]
Most critics found the film mediocre. B. R. Crisler of The New York Times felt that the picture was "more Mickey than Huckleberry" and called it an "average, workmanlike piece of cinematic hokum" that "affords little, if any, insight into the realistic boyhood world of which old Mark wrote with such imperishable humor."[3] A reviewer for Variety magazine wrote that the adaptation "has not been able to catch the rare and sparkling humor and general sincerity of the author's original. Furthermore, young Rooney seems too mature and assured in manner and expression for his years. Although he troupes in fine style, the impression remains that it's a theatric presentation."[4]
Film Daily called the treatment of the story "very flat and mechanical and uninteresting," adding, "Mickey Rooney does his best, and his fans may accept him as he appears and think he is great. To the lovers of Mark Twain it can only prove a disappointment."[5] Harrison's Reports called it "just fairly good entertainment."[6] John Mosher of The New Yorker called it "a perfunctory, commonplace job, pretty creaky and in the manner of those revival pieces some think quaint ... Aside from being a step for Mr. Rooney, this picture accomplishes nothing."[7]
See also[edit]
Plot summary[edit]
![]() | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (November 2022) |
References[edit]
- ^ Oldham, Gabriella (1992). "Flash Back, Flash Forward: Harold F. Kress and Carl Kress". First Cut: Conversations with Film Editors. University of California Press. p. 79. ISBN 9780520911741. Kress was the supervising editor.
- ^ The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn at the American Film Institute Catalog
- ^ The New York Times Film Reviews, Volume 3: 1939-1948. New York: The New York Times & Arno Press. 1970. p. 1584.
- ^ "Film Reviews". Variety. New York: Variety, Inc. February 15, 1939. p. 12.
- ^ "Reviews of the New Films". Film Daily. New York: Wid's Films and Film Folk, Inc.: 6 February 17, 1939.
- ^ "Huckleberry Finn". Harrison's Reports. New York: Harrison's Reports, Inc.: 30 February 25, 1939.
- ^ Mosher, John (March 4, 1939). "The Current Cinema". The New Yorker. New York: F-R Publishing Corp. pp. 72–73.
External links[edit]
- 1939 films
- 1930s adventure comedy-drama films
- American black-and-white films
- American adventure comedy-drama films
- American road comedy-drama films
- 1930s English-language films
- Films scored by Franz Waxman
- Films based on Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
- Films directed by Richard Thorpe
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer films
- 1930s road movies
- Films produced by Joseph L. Mankiewicz
- Films with screenplays by Waldo Salt
- Films set in the 19th century
- 1939 comedy films
- 1939 drama films
- 1930s American films