The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a 1939 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film adaptation of Mark Twain's 1884 novel of the same name, starring Mickey Rooney in the title role. The supporting cast features Walter Connolly, William Frawley and Rex Ingram. It was remade by MGM in 1960. A musical version was released in 1974. Plot summary Cast Mickey Rooney as Huckleberry Finn Walter Connolly as the "King" William Frawley as the "Duke" Rex Ingram as Jim Lynne Carver as Mary Jane Jo Ann Sayers as Susan Minor Watson as Captain Brandy Elisabeth Risdon as the widow Douglas Victor Kilian as "Pap" Finn Clara Blandick as Miss Watson Harry Cording as Man Stealing Watermelon (uncredited) Frank Darien as Old Jailer (uncredited) Reception Most critics found the film mediocre. B. R. Crisler of The New York Times felt that the picture was "more Mickey than Huckleberry" and called it an "average, workmanlike piece of cinematic hokum" that "affords little, if any, insight into the realistic boyhood world of which old Mark wrote with such imperishable humor." A reviewer for Variety magazine wrote that the adaptation "has not been able to catch the rare and sparkling humor and general sincerity of the author's original. Furthermore, young Rooney seems too mature and assured in manner and expression for his years. Although he troupes in fine style, the impression remains that it's a theatric presentation."