TOM SAWYER

US, 1973, 104 minutes, Colour.
Johnny Whitaker, Celeste Holm, Warren Oates, Jeff East, Jodie Foster, Lucille Benson, Henry Jones, Dub Taylor.
Directed by Don Taylor.

Tom Sawyer is a musical adaptation of the popular Mark Twain story. It was filmed many times, a classic version in colour in 1938, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Tom Sawyer and his exploits with his friend Huckleberry Finn have also been the subjects of many a telemovie. A similar musical on Huckleberry Finn was produced at the same time with Jeff East reprising his role as Huckleberry.

The star is Johnny Whitaker, a lively young boy. Celeste Holm is the classic Aunt Polly. Becky Thatcher is portrayed by Jodie Foster in one of her earliest roles. In two years’ time, however, she was to appear in Taxi Driver.

The film’s score was written by Richard and Robert Sherman with John Williams. The Sherman brothers had scored many a Disney film in the 1960s but emerged successfully with their songs for Mary Poppins. They also wrote songs for other musical films such as The Happiest Millionaire and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Direction is by Don Taylor, former actor (Father of the Bride) who directed a number of films and telemovies during the 70s and 80s.

1. Why does the story of Tom always appeal? Its story elements? Boys? The American background?

2. How well did the film use the natural beauty of its scenery? Did the songs add to the mood and the enjoyment of the film? How?

3. What insight into American life in the last century did the film give? The life in Missouri? Tom and Huckleberry Finn as American heroes?

4. How did the film present life in Missouri? The families, school, picnics, church, court cases etc? How interesting was all this?

5. What kind of boy was Tom Sawyer? How likeable? Was his mischief real mischief? The fact that he was an orphan? The nature of his tall stories? His belief in friends? His capacity for love? His behaviour in school? His heroism in the face of telling the truth?

6. What kind of boy was Huckleberry Finn? What influence did he have on Tom? What were his values? Why did he not like the town life? Widow Douglas and her affection for him? Huck getting Tom up to pranks, especially in the cemetery and their running away?

7. Was Aunt Polly likable? Her song with her children? How well did she love Tom? Was she too stern? Did you like Tom's cousins? Why was the boy always trying to hurt Tom?

8. Did you like Muff Potter? How friendly a person was he? His ploys for hiding the drink? The fact that Tom saved him? His final moving on? What aspect of the American West did he represent?

9. How humorous was the Widow Douglas? Did she add to the enjoyment of the film?

10. The cemetery sequence - how frightening? Why?

11. How frightening was Injun Joe? The sequence in the court? His pursuing them in the caves?

12. How dramatic was the court case? what did it reveal about Tom's character? The knife throwing?

13. Why did Tom run away?