Director: SAM WOOD. Screenplay: James Kevin McGuinness. Original screen story: Bradford Ropes, Val Burton and Endre Bohem. Photography: John Seitz. Film editor: Frank E. Hull. Art directors: Cedric Gibbons and Uric McClery. Set decorator: Edwin B. Willis. Costumes: Dolly Tree. Music: Edward Ward. Uncredited script contributors: Frank Davis, Walter Ferris, Sam Wood. Script clerk: Carl Roup. Technical adviser: Edward J. Stacey. A Sam Wood Production. Sound recording: Douglas Shearer. Western Electric Sound System. Producer: Frank Davis. Dedicated to Dr Thomas John Barnardo.Copyright 20 June 1938 by Loew's Inc. Presented by Merto-Goldwyn- Mayer. New York opening at the Capitol, 30 June 1938. U.S. release: 17 June 1938. Australian release: October 1938. 9 reels. 85 minutes. U.K. and Australian release title: The BOY FROM BARNARDO'S.SYNOPSIS: Orphan boy turned jewel thief learns true sportsmanship at Dr Barnardo's marine training school.NOTES: Academy Award, Mickey Rooney, best male juvenile of 1938.COMMENT: One doesn't want to be too hard on this movie, though many viewers may well find its good intentions rather a pain. The plot, of course, is thoroughly predictable and doesn't live up to the promise of its lively opening sequences. The characters, alas, are pretty conventional figures too — though enacted by a rather interesting cast including Mickey Rooney fairly successfully attempting an Irish accent and young Peter Lawford smiling in many backgrounds. Charles Coburn, Herbert Mundin, George Zucco and Matthew Boulton are always reliable players. And it's nice to spot Monty Woolley. However, the film's stand-out performance is contributed by Gale Sondergaard, one of the finest actresses ever to grace the screen. Her fascinatingly clever portrayal alone makes Lord Jeff a must-see picture. Wood's direction is competent, keeping the pace moving along briskly, and Seitz's lighting is atmospherically low-key. By "B" standards — the film was obviously designed as rip-off of Boys Town — production values are lavish, with that all-British background skilfully recreated in both interiors and exteriors.

Although Lord Jeff came out the same year as Boys Town and is essentially the same story, what this film lacks is the star quality presence of Spencer Tracy. It also could be compared to Captains Courageous where Mickey Rooney and Freddie Bartholomew play the same characters.Charles Coburn is the father figure here, head of a Thomas John Barnardo school which populate the British Isles and which were set up by the late Irish philanthropist, (he was Irish despite that name, just like Eamon DeValera).The title comes from Bartholomew's character whom when we first meet is a spoiled kid living in luxury. However he's an orphan kid whom a pair of crooks, George Zucco and Gale Sondergaard, use as a shill for their thieving rackets. Scotland Yard arrests and exposes Bartholomew, but the adults get away.The judge gives Bartholomew a break sending him to Barnardo school, one in this case that is a quasi-military institute that trains men for the Navy and Merchant Marine. In a country like Britain which depends on the sea and has the great naval tradition this is an important task the school undertakes.Bartholomew is as tough a nut to crack as he was aboard Lionel Barrymore's fishing boat in Captains Courageous and as Mickey Rooney was in Boys Town. But Rooney's in this film as well and he's the mentor kid who whips Bartholomew in line.If you've seen Boys Town you know the bad influences come back and they have to be dealt with. I'll save that for your viewing pleasure.Herbert Mundin who usually played funny little milquetoast characters is the old sea salt who teaches seamanship and discipline to the kids. This was an interesting change of parts for him and he acquits himself admirably in a different persona. You'll also see a very young Peter Lawford as one of the kids, this was one of his earliest films.The finale takes place aboard the new Cunard liner the Queen Mary. All in all Lord Jeff is a fine family film from MGM.

This was the last time Freddie Bartholomew was top billed and in my opinion outshone the very annoying Irish accented Mickey Rooney.Called "The Boy From Barnardos" in England it is the story of Jeffrey Braemer (Freddie Bartholomew) who as "Lord Jeff" is one of a trio of upper crust jewel thieves. He is masquerading as a young Lord, who, along with his dowdy "governess" (a disguised Gale Sondergaard) is making life very unpleasant for staff at a grand hotel with his demands and behaviour. After their capture, he is sent to the naval division of Dr. Barnardos to learn a trade. He isn't liked any more by the boys than he was by the hotel staff - they think him a "swell". He does make one friend, the very amiable Albert (Terry Kilburn is excellent in this role).Terence McMulvaney (Mickey Rooney) is the head boy, a likable Irish lad, and is asked to take Jeff under his wing. (A young Peter Lawford also plays one of the new boys). Terence has been chosen to be an apprentice on the "Queen Mary" - a position of great trust. With no letters from his "friends" Jeff decides to run away. He gets the opportunity at a Liberty party that the boys are invited to. Terence sets out to bring him back and while returning to the dormitory, is seen and reported. He is punished by the removal of his stripes so he cannot go to his apprenticeship on the "Queen Mary". The boys realise what has happened and send Jeff to "Coventry". The annual boat race is due and "Crusty" Jelks (Herbert Mundin), who has a soft spot for Jeff, makes him Cox - his crew is not happy, even though they win!!!On yet another outing he renews his acquaintance with his initial companions (Sondergaard and George Zucco). She wants him to come back to them and resume his old ways, but Jeffrey now realizes his true loyalty lies with Barnardos and is also determined to join the "Queen Mary". They, in their turn, hide a dazzling necklace in his coat and Jeff is caught and may be sent to reform school. It all turns out okay when the couple are caught trying to flee the country and both Jeff and Terry get berths on the "Queen Mary".It is a very enjoyable film that is not too preachy. Charles Coburn is very good as Captain Briggs.Highly Recommended.

Freddie Bartholomew stars as a seemingly upper crust "Lord" (Jeff Braemer) who is really an orphaned thief; suspected in an emerald necklace heist, he is sent to a navel academy and meets idealized Irish orphan Mickey Rooney (as Terry O'Mulvaney). Boy-among-the-young-men Terry Kilburn (as Albert Baker) keeps the "cute quotient" high.Their roles are tailor-made for Mr. Bartholomew's "British upper crust" and Mr. Rooney's "Irish working lad" personas. Bartholomew is perfect as the aristocratically-guised London thief, complaining about the "wretched" hotel service and fainting during opportune moments. Bussed to a a purgatory-type sailor school (not quite a hellish reform school), he immediately clashes with Rooney. The two "child stars" contrast well, and their difficult bonding becomes the film's main source of entertainment. Rooney is much more relaxed in "Lord Jeff" than other "orphaned lad" roles; here, he exudes natural likability. Kilburn's little Albert seems out of place among the older boys, but he performs as well, and gives Bartholomew's character some much-needed appeal. Other story structure, and editing, problems weaken the running time.Irrelevant, probably, to the film "Lord Jeff" is the status of its two stars. Bartholomew was a very popular "boy star" and Rooney was much more popular as a "teen star"; and, they made several films together. This film catches the Bartholomew near the end of his career, and Rooney beginning his most successful years. With this in mind, don't miss their mid-film fistfight! ****** Lord Jeff (6/17/38) Sam Wood ~ Freddie Bartholomew, Mickey Rooney, Terry Kilburn, Charles Coburn