The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1939 film)
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. 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, impression remains that it's a theatric presentation." "Film Daily" called the treatment of the story "very flat and mechanical and uninteresting", adding, "Mickey Rooney does his best, and his fans may accept him as  he appears and think he is great. To the lovers of Mark Twain it can only prove a disappointment." "Harrison's Reports" called it "just fairly good entertainment". John Mosher of "The New Yorker" called it "a perfunctory, commonplace job, pretty creaky and in the manner of those revival pieces some think quaint ... Aside from being a step for Mr. Rooney, this picture accomplishes nothing."