Fauntleroy Movies: Freddy Barthlomew, 1936

Figure 1.--The 1936 version with Freddy Barthomew is one of the best know versions of "Little Lord Fauntleroy, but the costuming was not in keeping with the book and drawings.

The 1936 version of Little Lord Fauntleroy is perhaps the classic version of Little Lord Fauntleroy. In part because it was bade during the classic period for studio child stars. However, the film was far from accurate in terms of costuming and hair style. Freddy Bartholmew played Little Lord Fauntleroy in this black and white film. The producer clearly sought to downplay the hero's sissy reputation. Freddy was an extremely popular child actor and probably had some say in the costuming. The studio was also probably concerned with Freddy's image. If he acquired a sissy image it might have adversely affected his future box office appeal.

Filmology

Except for the costuming, this is a surprisingly good production of Little Lord Fauntleroy. Freddy gives a good performance. The supporting cast adds substantially to the production. Dolores Costello plays "Dearest" (mother) beautifully. C. Aubery Smith tuns in a well acted curmudgeon of a grandfather. Micky Rooney is well suited for the good-hearted Irish tough imposter.

Figure 2.--This is Freddy in his velvet and lace collar, but he rarely appears dressed in it during the movie.

The film was well directed by John Cromwell, with matching production by David O. Selznick of Mrs. Burnett's Little Princess). Generations of children grew up with these books and films, but hardly anyone under 40 seems to have hear of today. Productions of these and other classics were enormously popular in the 1930s, the first decade of "talkies", sound movies.

Smooth, warm, not excessively sentimental film is surprisingly undated. British-born Bartholomew was launched in America in 1935 with his portrayal of David Copperfield and that of Anna Karenina 's son in the eponymous movies. Freddy's career began when MGM decided to remake David Cooperfield. Freddy was selected for that role when his Aunt Cissie virtually pushed him into the Selznick's office in 1935 wearing David Cooperfield attire, including a beaver hat. "I am David Cooperfield, Sir!" entoned the ever so polite Freddy in his English accent. Freddy landed the role and launched his career in Hollywood. Refined and gentle mannered despite a humble hupbringing, Freddy eas able to use his good diction and hubrinning to great advantage in playing classic boy heros, which was a fashionable genre during the 1930s. Selznick then selected him to play opposite Gretta Garbo in the remake of Anna Karenina. Selznick was the son-in-law of Louis B. Meyer of MGM, but left MGM to form his own company. Somehow he managed to get Freddy who was under contract to MGM for his first production, Little Lord Fauntleroy in 1936, despite protests from Meyer.

Freddy for a few years he was the most celebrated male child actor, just as Shirley Temple was among little girls. He was especially good in Captains Courageous (1937), opposite Spencer Tracy.

Story

The classic story of the lovable little All-American boy, Cedric Erroll, the son of a poor widow, who inherits his grandfather's fortunes and Estates in England is presented n the film. Cedric is transported from a New York City street corner in 1888 to a sumptuous castle in England. Ceddie has a profound effect on all those he comes in contact with. He is generous to a fault. He doesn't understand why people have to suffer while there is relief near at hand, even in his own hands. But then a situation comes that tests him and proves he will be more than his forbears ever have been--the finest Earl of Dorincourt-- Lord Fauntleroy. In the process he teaches his bitter old grandfather how to love again, he shows his old friends loyalty and kindness.

Costuming

Many of his outfits are rather hundrum like Eton suits which certainly were not mentioned in the book. Freddy does have a velvet suit with lace colar, I have seen studio stills of it. It looks, however, more like an Eton suit with a small lace collar than a true Little Lord Fauntleroy suit. The lace collar is not elaborate nor is there matching wrist sleeve trim. Freddy does not appear in it extensively in the film. He does appear in a rather odd looking sailor suit and other non-descript suits. Hollywood certainly did not strive for period accuracy in costuming during those days.

Figure 3.--The Freddy Barthomew version of Little Lord Fauntleroy is an amazing potopouri of costuming--none of them accurate for the period.

There is no attempt to emulate the long curls Little Lord Fauntleroy was remembered for. Probably Freddy would have objected. He wears a regular boys' haircut, perhaps cut a little long but nothing even remotely similar to the hair mentioned in the book and depicted in the original Reginald Birch drawings.

Interestingly while Freddy did not wear his velvet suit and lace collar frequently in the movie, posters advertising the film did often picture him in it. Why this was the outfit used to publicize the film, but not extensively worn in the production is an interesting question.