Little Lord Fauntleroy [Blu-ray]

Overview

David O. Selznick's first independent production upheld the producer's tradition, established at Paramount, RKO and MGM, of bringing the "classics" to the screen. Adapted by Hugh Walpole from the novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, Little Lord Fauntleroy is set in the late 19th century. After establishing Freddie Bartholomew as a likeable Brooklyn boy who can handle himself in a scrap--with the assistance of his roughneck pal Mickey Rooney, of course--the film introduces us to Bartholomew's mother, played by Dolores Costello-Barrymore (though divorced from John Barrymore, Mrs. Costello-Barrymore was still billng herself by her married name). Costello-Barrymore is the widow of a titled Englishman, whose father, the aristocratic Sir C. Aubrey Smith, detests all Americans with equal fervor. Upon discovering that Bartholomew is the rightful heir to his fortune, Smith demands that Costello-Barrymore deliver the boy to his sprawling English country estate. Now addressed by one and all as Lord Fauntleroy, Bartholomew chafes at the restrictions imposed upon him by his station in life. The boy's good nature and forthrightedness wins his grandfather's respect-and, eventually, the old man's love. When pasty-faced Jackie Searl, a false claimant to Bartholomew's title, shows up, Bartholomew's American pals, led by Rooney, set things right. His hard heart softened at last, Smith stage-manages a happy reunion between Bartholomew and Costello-Barrymore. Expertly sidestepping the "sissy" onus that has been unfairly placed upon the original Burnett novel, Little Lord Fauntleroy scored well at the box office. Other versions of this venerable tale have starred Mary Pickford (as both Fauntleroy and his mother) and Ricky Schroder.

Product Details

Release Date:	06/26/2012
UPC:	0738329091422
Original Release:	1936
Rating:	NR
Source:	Kino Lorber
Presentation:	[B&W]
Language:	English
Time:	1:41:00
Sales rank:	31,114

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Freddie Bartholomew	Cedric Erroll
Guy Kibbee	Hobbs
C. Aubrey Smith	Earl of Dorincourt
Henry Stephenson	Havisham
Mickey Rooney	Dick
Eric Alden	Ben
Jackie Searl	The Claimant
Reginald Barlow	Newick
Ivan Simpson	Rev. Mordaunt
E.E. Clive	Sir Harry Lorridaile
Constance Collier	Lady Lorridaile
Una O'Connor	Mary,Mr. O'Brien,Policeman
May Beatty	Mrs. Mellon
Joan Standing	Dawson
Jessie Ralph	Apple Woman
Lionel Belmore	Higgins,Mrs. Baines
Gilbert Emery	Purvis
Joseph Tyzack	Thomas
Alex Pollard	Footman
Prince the Dog	Actor
Walter Kingsford	Mr. Snade
Helen Flint	Minna Tipton
Tempe Pigott	Mrs. Dibble
Virginia Field	Miss Herbert
Lawrence Grant	Lord Chief Justice
Tempe Piggott	Mrs. Dibble
Eily Malyon	Landlady
Fred Walton	Landlord
Dolores Costello	Dearest Erroll
Elsa Buchanan	Susan

Technical Credits

Hugh Walpole

John Cromwell	Director
David O. Selznick	Producer
Hugh Walpole	Screenwriter