The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1960)

User Rating:

6.1/10   

Director:

Michael Curtiz

Writers:

Mark Twain (novel)
James Lee (screenplay)

Release Date:

3 August 1960 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Drama | Family

Plot:

Huckleberry Finn, a rambuctious boy adventurer chafing under the bonds of civilization, escapes his humdrum world and his selfish...

Plot Keywords:

River | Friendship | Escape | Raft | Boy

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Tony Randall	...	The King of France
Archie Moore	...	Jim
Eddie Hodges	...	Huckleberry Finn
Patty McCormack	...	Joanna Wilkes
Neville Brand	...	Pap Finn
Mickey Shaughnessy	...	The Duke
Judy Canova	...	Sheriff's wife
Andy Devine	...	Mr. Carmody
Sherry Jackson	...	Mary Jane Wilkes
Buster Keaton	...	Lion Tamer
Finlay Currie	...	Capt. Sellers
Josephine Hutchinson	...	Widow Douglas
Parley Baer	...	Grangeford man
John Carradine	...	Slave catcher
Royal Dano	...	Harlan, Sheriff

Also Known As:

Mark Twain's 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn' (USA) (complete title)

Runtime:

107 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

South Korea:All | West Germany:6 (f) | USA:Approved (certificate #19461) | Canada:PG (video rating) | Finland:K-8 | Norway:7

Filming Locations:

Sacramento River Valley, California, USA

Company:

Formosa Productions

Trivia:

The four songs included in the film were originally intended for an M-G-M Technicolor musical version of "Huckleberry Finn" which was supposed to have been filmed in 1952, but was never made. It was supposed to have starred Dean Stockwell as Huck, William Warfield (fresh from his triumph as Joe in Show Boat (1951)) as Jim, and Gene Kelly and Danny Kaye as the two con men.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: Just before Huck and Jim jump off the riverboat, Huck puts on his pants. We hear a "snap" as he snaps his pants. He then zips up his zipper. Neither snap fasteners or zippers were in use at the time (1851).

Movie Connections:

Version of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1939)

Soundtrack:

Huckleberry Finn

A film legend does Mark Twain proud with this faithful adaptation.

From the man who directed "Casablanca" and "Yankee Doodle Dandy" comes a colourful, humorous video version of Mark Twain's timeless novel. The casting is superb. It's hard to think of any other actors from the early 1960s in these roles, they are so well chosen. Especially impressive is pro boxer Archie Moore as Jim. His scene where he's talking about his deaf child is heart-wrenching, quite a feat for a cross over athlete. The child actor who plays Huck is very good as well. My honourable mention goes to Tony Randall and Mickey Shaughnessy who make a great comedy team as the King and the Duke. They are simply hilarious. Although many of Twain's adventures are deleted, most of the better known and interesting characters and scenes are included. Many of these characters are played by Hollywood legends like Sterling Holloway(the voice of Winnie the Pooh and Jiminy Cricket), Judy Canova, John Carradine, Neville Brand, and Buster Keaton. All in all, a highly recommended family film.