LITTLE LORD FAUNTLEROY was a major hit in the 1880's. And this quality movie version (by David O Selznick) has lots of great child and adult actors maybe Grandpa and the "old movie" fans will recognize. A kid of today has to get past the rather wimpy music score and the slightly murky black and white shooting...but Freddie Bartholomew was the top male child star (second only to Shirley Temple) partly for this QUALITY performance as poor young Ced Errol, poor Brooklyn boy, who finds out he's heir to a great British title and fortune. Watch for Mickey Rooney in the fight scene. Ced tackles several bullies alone...and Mickey later joins him. (Preview of soon coming World War II - first the Brit handles the "bullies" and then the American joins him!) Sir C. Aubrey Smith is the great, bitter old Lord who has only the unseen (and despised ) American grandson left alive to inherit the great Dorincourt title and estate. (I think one of the old men Muppet characters was copied after him with his great craggy face and heavy brows). Drew Barrymore's grandma (Dolores Costello) plays Cedric's beloved widowed mother. This story is STILL being remade. (I've even heard of a Russian version of LLF!) And let's hope that this GREAT version gets a technical cleanup someday. I've watched it with my young son, who is beginning to appreciate the small but noble Cedric. (Right now I tell him, the young shoe shine boy (Mickey Roney) played one of the old men in NATIONAL TREASURE). This film too takes a little work for a child of today to appreciate,but it is a minor film treasure and is definitely worth your time.
Tools for this page
Little Lord Fauntleroy
-
Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 5, age appropriate for kids over 6; suggested age 6. -
Is it any good?
-
Common Sense says
1936 Freedie Bartholomew fairy tale.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 6 and Up
What to watch out for
-
Violence & scariness:
-
Sexy stuff:
-
Language:
-
Consumerism:
-
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About Little Lord Fauntleroy
Parents need to know that this 1930s classic is perfectly age-appropriate for young grade-schoolers and up. Kids may not be clamoring to see an older movie, but if they give it a try, they'll enjoy the upbeat story and positive messages.
Read our full review by Nell Minow
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about whether it's really possible to always see the best in everyone. Do you know anyone who's as positive as Cedric? What other movie characters is he like? How do you think this movie might be different if it was remade today?
Our Members Say
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
Preview of WWII, this quality story (despite poor music) worth your time!
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
Good-but there's a better one
I've watched this movie & enjoyed it-but there's a better one out there! If you like the book, watch the Feature Films for Families version-most young kids i know love it!
Give Recommendations, Get Them, Too!
Become a member and get recommendations from other parents based on your child's age.Tell us your child's age:
Already a member? Log inOur Members Rate It
Have you seen it? 
For Your Family
Get age-based recommendations for your kids:
Customize based on your child's age
