TOM BROWN'S SCHOOL DAYS (1940) Freddie Bartholomew & Josephine Hutchinson | Drama | B&W

Tom Brown's School Days is a 1940 coming-of-age drama film about a teenage boy's experiences at Rugby School, Warwickshire in the early 19th century under the reforming headmastership of Thomas Arnold. It stars Sir Cedric Hardwicke, Freddie Bartholomew and Jimmy Lydon in the title role. The film was based on the 1857 novel, Tom Brown's School Days by Thomas Hughes.

SYNOPSIS
A young boy named Tom starts at Rugby boarding school, where he faces torment from Flashman, the school bully. The film also emphasizes the development of Headmaster Thomas Arnold and his reformist ideas concerning English public schools.

The plot revolves around bullying by older boys, particularly Flashman, with Tom being the only one willing to stand up to them. Despite facing expulsion for a theft he didn't commit, Tom's honesty ultimately saves him, earning him a punishment of "12 of the best" from Dr. Arnold with a smile.

CAST & CREW
Cedric Hardwicke as Dr. Thomas Arnold
Freddie Bartholomew as Ned East
Jimmy Lydon as Tom Brown
Josephine Hutchinson as Mrs. Mary Arnold
Billy Halop as Flashman
Polly Moran as Sally Harowell
Hughie Green as Walker
Ian Fulton as Brooke
Ernest Cossart as Squire Brown
Alec Craig as Old Thomas
Gale Storm as Effie

Director: Robert Stevenson
Writers: Thomas Hughes (novel), Walter Ferris, Frank Cavett, Gene Towne, C. Graham Baker, Robert Stevenson (additional dialogue)
Based on: "Tom Brown's School Days" by Thomas Hughes
Producers: C. Graham Baker, Gene Towne
Music by: Anthony Collins
Production Companies: The Play's The Thing Productions, Inc.
Distribution: RKO Radio Pictures
Release Date: July 14, 1940
Running Time: 86 minutes
Country: United States
Language: English

NOTES
The entertainment journal Variety praised the adaptation, saying, "It probably results in a better picture, since Cedric Hardwicke, who plays the wise and kindly teacher, is much better qualified to carry a story than is any Hollywood prodigy. Hardwicke’s performance is one of the best he has ever given on the screen".

Critics praised the film, with Variety noting its sympathetic and skillful portrayal, highlighting Robert Hardwicke's exceptional performance as Arnold. Jimmy Lydon's portrayal of Tom was described as believable and moving in early scenes, although he was considered too young for later moments.