The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn [Huckleberry Finn] *** (1960, Tony Randall, Eddie Hodges, Archie Moore) – Classic Movie Review 10,009

MGM toast the 75th anniversary of the American publication of Mark Twain’s 1884 classic book with Michael Curtiz’s nimble 1960 film version The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. The novel, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, was first published in the UK in December 1884 and in the US in February 1885.

Eddie Hodges is spry as the runaway boy adventurer Huck and boxing champion Archie Moore is an asset as escaped slave Jim, but it is Tony Randall who gets top billing as The King of France. There is a good support cast, including Neville Brand as Huck’s alcoholic father Pap Finn, Judy Canova, Buster Keaton (in his final film for his former studio MGM) and Andy Devine, as well as nice songs by Alan Jay Lerner (lyrics) and Burton Lane (music).

It is the fifth film version of the novel and the third sound film version.

Also in the cast are Patty McCormack as Joanna Wilkes, Neville Brand as Pap Finn, Mickey Shaughnessy as The Duke, Judy Canova as Sheriff’s Wife, Andy Devine as Mr Carmody, Sherry Jackson as Mary Jane Wilkes, Buster Keaton as Lion Tamer, Finlay Currie as Captain Sellers, Josephine Hutchinson as Widow Douglas, Parley Baer as Grangeford Man, John Carradine as Slave Catcher, Royal Dano as Sheriff of Harlan, Harry Dean Stanton as Slave Catcher and Dolores Hawkins as Riverboat Singer.

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn [Huckleberry Finn] is directed by Michael Curtiz, runs 107 minutes, is made by Formosa Productions, released by MGM, is written by James Lee, based on the novel by Mark Twain, is shot in CinemaScope and Metrocolor by Ted McCord, is produced by Samuel Goldwyn Jr and is scored by Jerome Moross.

MGM originally built the riverboat for Show Boat (1951).

It lost money, $99,000 in the red.

The Sacramento River doubled for the Mississippi River.

© Derek Winnert 2020 Classic Movie Review 10,009

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