Film Review: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1938)

In the years leading up to his magnum opus, Gone with the Wind, famed producer David O. Selznick had been laying the groundwork for his cinematic endeavour by making a number of films with the help of the new, expensive, and demanding technology of three-strip Technicolor. One such film was The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, an adaptation of Mark Twsin’s novel, the beloved classic of American and world's children's literature.

The film, set in 1850s small town in Missouri, follows the mischievous exploits of the titular character, played by child actor Tommy Kelly, and his childhood sweetheart Becky Thatcher, portrayed by Ann Gillis. The story takes the audience through the familiar episodes of the novel, including Tom's escapades with his friend Huckleberry Finn (played Jackie Moran), his witness to a murder, and his eventual triumph over the villainous Injun Joe (played by Victor Jory).

Selznick's attraction to the source material was likely due to the setting of the ante-bellum South, which bore many similarities to the backdrop of Gone with the Wind. The film was directed by Norman Taurog, a director with experience in children's films, who would later become known for his work on Martin-Lewis comedies and Elvis Presley musicals. The cinematography was provided by the renowned James Wong Howe, while the production design was the work of William Cameron Menzies, who would later contribute to the visual splendor of Gone with the Wind. The musical score, though uncredited, was composed by the talented Max Steiner, providing more than adequate accompaniment to the on-screen action.

The script by John W. A. Weaver successfully brings the best-known episodes from the novel into a runtime of just over an hour and a half, though the lack of a strong, cohesive plot may be less palatable for some viewers. Additionally, the potentially disturbing scenes in the cave and the actual killings that take place might make the film somewhat problematic for the youngest of audiences.

Despite these minor issues, the cast delivers strong performances, with Tommy Kelly effectively capturing the mischievous yet good-hearted nature of Tom Sawyer. Ann Gillis is also convincing in her portrayal of Becky Thatcher, Tom's childhood crush. The experienced character actors, including May Robson and Walter Brennan, lend their talents to the supporting roles, further enhancing the film's overall quality.

Although The Adventures of Tom Sawyer failed to make a profit at the box office, largely due to the high cost of Technicolor production, it was well-regarded by critics and has managed to sustain a good reputation through the decades. Today, the film can still be recommended to audiences as a visually stunning and entertaining adaptation of a classic work of American literature.

RATING: 7/10 (+++)

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