This is a perfect choice for the family .I have a tendency to prefer this black and white version to the color 1980 remake ,except for Alec Guiness -Aubrey Smith overplays- ; more time is given to the times in NYC and to mister Hobbs ( a colorful Guy Kibbee).
Three child actors , one of whom is the lead: Freddy Bartholomew is extremely cute ,his character ,some kind of male Pollyanna , wins the neighborhood -and the audience- over ; you should hear him call his outcast mom "dearest" ;Dolorès Costello is the mom every child should have ,playing her part with an infinite tenderness and delicacy ; Mickey Rooney is well cast as the Brooklyn brat ;and Jackie Seal does quite well in a thankless part.
Some scenes such as the commoners bowing down as their masters enter the Church where the privileged have their place of honor might seem old hat for today's audience.But it works, for the "from rags -not so much ,by the way - to riches " story of this adorable boy is a fable, and his coming means the redemption of a grumpy snob fogey who discovers ,much to his surprise ,that he can bring sweet relief to his fellow men.
Three child actors , one of whom is the lead: Freddy Bartholomew is extremely cute ,his character ,some kind of male Pollyanna , wins the neighborhood -and the audience- over ; you should hear him call his outcast mom "dearest" ;Dolorès Costello is the mom every child should have ,playing her part with an infinite tenderness and delicacy ; Mickey Rooney is well cast as the Brooklyn brat ;and Jackie Seal does quite well in a thankless part.
Some scenes such as the commoners bowing down as their masters enter the Church where the privileged have their place of honor might seem old hat for today's audience.But it works, for the "from rags -not so much ,by the way - to riches " story of this adorable boy is a fable, and his coming means the redemption of a grumpy snob fogey who discovers ,much to his surprise ,that he can bring sweet relief to his fellow men.