The Adventures of Tom Sawyer1938
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1938)
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer Photos
Movie Info
In a small town on the Mississippi River, the troubles of young Tom Sawyer (Kelly) are often due to his half-brother Sid (Holt) informing on him. When his Aunt Polly (Robson), with whom Tom lives, orders the boy to whitewash the fence, he manages to convince his friends that it's a privilege rather than a chore, and they take over for him. He's smitten by newcomer Becky Thatcher (Gillis), but she spurns him when he lies about knowing passages from the Bible. However, when Tom takes the blame for something she did, she sees him with new eyes. Tom and his rapscallion friend Huckleberry Finn (Moran) go to the graveyard one night, and see Injun Joe (Jory) stab a man to death, then convince drunken Muff Potter (Brennan) that he committed the murder instead. The frightened boys flee, and vow never to mention what they saw. When both Tom and Huck get into more trouble, they head for an island to play pirates, accompanied by their friend Joe Harper (Rentschler). when they realize the townspeople think they've drowned, they decide to watch their own funeral service, but soon come out of hiding. Later, at Muff Potter's murder trial, Tom decides to testify; Injun Joe flings a knife at him, and escapes. On a school picnic in a cavern, Tom and Becky are separated from the others, and find a treasure chest full of gold--but they also find Injun Joe, hiding in the cave. He tries to kill them, but falls to his death. Back in town, Tom and Becky are greeted as heroes.
Cast
Tommy Kelly
as Tom Sawyer
as Tom Sawyer
Jackie Moran
as Huckleberry Finn
as Huckleberry Finn
May Robson
as Aunt Polly
as Aunt Polly
Walter Brennan
as Muff Potter
as Muff Potter

Ann Gillis
as Becky Thatcher
as Becky Thatcher
Victor Jory
as Injun Joe
as Injun Joe
David Holt
as Sid Sawyer
as Sid Sawyer
Victor Kilian
as Sheriff
as Sheriff
Nana Bryant
as Mrs. Thatcher
as Mrs. Thatcher
Olin Howland
as Schoolmaster
as Schoolmaster
Donald Meek
as Superintendent
as Superintendent

Charles Richman
as Judge Thatcher
as Judge Thatcher
Margaret Hamilton
as Mrs. Harper
as Mrs. Harper
Marcia Mae Jones
as Mary Sawyer
as Mary Sawyer

Mickey Rentschler
as Joe Harper
as Joe Harper
Cora Sue Collins
as Amy Lawrence
as Amy Lawrence

Philip Hurlic
as Jim
as Jim
Spring Byington
as Widow Douglas
as Widow Douglas
Harry Myers
as Churchgoer
as Churchgoer
Critic Reviews for The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
All Critics (3) | Fresh (2) | Rotten (1) | DVD (1)
Routine, I would say...Huck Finn inadequate.
April 16, 2020 | Full Review…
Tom Sawyer, which could easily have been ruined by inept handling, plus the hazards of technicolor and child acting, survives wonderfully in its present version.
July 22, 2019 | Full Review…
Selznick's version of Mark Twain's famous novel is the first (and best).
June 22, 2011 | Rating: B+ | Full Review…
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