The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1938)
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) 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 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)