 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Little Lord Fauntleroy
- Review Date: January 10, 2005
- NR
- Genre: Family and Kids
- 1936
Common Sense Media says
Adaptation of classic novel is a charming fairy tale.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
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.
What's the story?
Cedric (Freddie Bartholomew), who lives in New York with his widowed mother, finds out that he's the grandson of a British earl (C. Aubrey Smith) and is to go to England to live in his castle. After marrying an American, Cedric's father was estranged from the earl, but now that both of the earl's sons have died, Cedric is the only heir. The earl is a rigid and somewhat pompous man, but, encouraged by his mother, Cedric sees everything the earl does as wonderfully generous and kind. The old man is utterly charmed by Cedric, as are all who meet him, and he tries to live up to Cedric's image of him. They grow to love each other. There is a crisis when they're told that the earl's older son was married and had a son of his own before he died -- making that boy the rightful heir. But with the help of Cedric's friend Dick, they all live happily ever after.
Is it any good?
LITTLE LORD FAUNLTEROY is basically a male version of Pollyanna. Like Pollyanna, Cedric goes to live with a wealthy but crusty and snobbish relative, insists on seeing the best in everyone (even when it isn't there), and wins the hearts of all who know him. Not quite as sugary as its reputation, it may still put off kids who think Cedric is too perfect. But his colorful friends, his maturity under stress, and the fun of the idea of his being brought from poverty to an Earldom make it hold up surprisingly well.
What 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?
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AGE
Preview of WWII, this quality story (despite poor music) worth your time!
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.
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AGE
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!
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| Studio: | United Artists |
| Director: | John Cromwell |
| Cast: | Dolores Costello, Freddie Bartholomew, Mickey Rooney |
| Genre: | Family and Kids |
| Run time: | 98 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | April 2, 1936 |
| DVD release date: | September 24, 2002 |
| MPAA rating: | NR |
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