The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Overview

MGM's all-star 1960 filmization of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn surgically removes the sociological subtext of Mark Twain's novel in the interests of "entertainment for the whole family." The emphasis is on the adventuresome escapades of Huck (Eddie Hodges) and fugitive slave Jim (played by boxing champ Archie Moore), and on the comic elements inherent in the characters of the King (Tony Randall) and the Duke (Mickey Shaughnessy). In the manner of Around the World in 80 Days, every role is filled by a "name" actor: featured in the cast are Judy Canova, Andy Devine, Buster Keaton, Sterling Holloway, Finlay Currie, Josephine Hutchinson and John Carradine.

Product Details

Release Date:	10/07/2014
UPC:	0888574098681
Original Release:	1960
Rating:	TV-PG
Source:	Warner Archives
Language:	English
Time:	1:47:00
Sales rank:	35,963

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Eddie Hodges	Actor
Archie Moore	Actor
Tony Randall	Actor
Patty McCormack	Actor
Neville Brand	Pap
Mickey Shaughnessy	The Duke
Andy Devine	Mr. Carmody
Buster Keaton	Lion Tamer
Finlay Currie	Captain Sellers
Josephine Hutchinson	Widow Douglas
Judy Canova	Sheriff's Wife
Parley Baer	Grangerford Man
John Carradine	Slave Catcher
Royal Dano	Sheriff
Dolores Hawkins	River Boat Singer
Sterling Holloway	Barber
Harry Dean Stanton	Slave Catcher
Minerva Urecal	Miss Watson
Jerome Moross	Composer
Sherry Jackson	Mary Jane
Mack Chandler	Man at Circus
Fred Coby	Sheriff
Henry Corden	Mate
Eddie Fetherston	Townsman
Roy Glenn	Drayman
Fred Kohler Jr.	Mate

Technical Credits

James Lee

Michael Curtiz	Director
James Lee	Screenwriter
Samuel Goldwyn Jr.	Producer
A. Arnold Gillespie	Special Effects

Editorial Reviews

Mark Twain's masterpiece certainly has been adapted more faithfully than it is in this handsome film, directed with a sure hand by Michael Curtiz (The Adventures of Robin Hood). Still, it is a memorable ride, thanks to a supporting cast of venerable character actors (including Tony Randall, Buster Keaton, Sterling Holloway, and Andy Devine) and the compelling friendship between runaways Huck (Eddie Hodges) and Jim (boxing champion Archie Moore). Hodges’s Huck, seeking "uncharted waters," seems more like one of the Little Rascals than the rough-and-tumble adventurer of Twain's novel. Moore though, as the runaway slave, is superb, giving this powerful story heart and resonance. The film is rated G, but scenes involving Huck's abusive, alcoholic father (not to mention spare use of the n-word) may be too intense for younger viewers.

Barnes & Noble - Donald Liebenson

Samuel Goldwyn, Jr. gave The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn a pretty lavish production, and the picture is quite lovely to look at, especially in Ted. D. McCord's golden-hued color cinematography. It also boasts an especially fine background score from the pen of the one and only Jerome Moross that is full of vigor and excitement. Unfortunately, the film itself, while certainly watchable, is not as exciting and involving as that score, for a variety of reasons. Primary among them is the miscasting of its leads. Eddie Hodges is a cute and personable performer, but he in no way resembles the rough-edged nature's boy that is Huck. Hodges is the kind of kid whose cheeks you just want to pinch because he's so adorable; Huck might inspire a flickering of that feeling, but it would be tempered by the realization that your fingers would get awfully dirty doing that pinching and that you might also get a few teeth marks on your fingers in the process. Archie Moore presents a physically powerful Jim, but he's a lightweight in the acting department and so this crucial character fails to deliver in key scenes. Michael Curtiz's direction is also surprisingly unimaginative, and the screenplay bowdlerizes the original source a bit too much. On the plus, side, however, the supporting cast is quite good, with special praise due Tony Randall's immensely entertaining King.

All Movie Guide - Craig Butler