A wide-eyed, whitewashed version of Mark Twain's Mississippi classic "Tom Sawyer", unsuccessfully transformed into a musical. The adaptation begins by showing off its high production values; and, the cast and crew feature many capable professionals; however, they do not add up to anything of substantial merit. The first clue something is terribly wrong occurs when Celeste Holm (as Aunt Polly) sings "Tom Sawyer!"; the crude, uncouth boy she sings about doesn't really describe the part Johnny Whitaker is playing.The musical numbers are predicable (It's called "Gratification"!) and, sometimes, atrocious. The obvious exception is the outstanding soundtrack song "River Theme", sung by Charley Pride, who does not appear. The filmmakers would have been wise to include some more accomplished singers in the cast.Little leading lady Jodie Foster (as Becky Thatcher) and Whitaker are good in their "first meeting" scene. Character actor Henry Jones (as Mr. Dobbins) is always a pleasure. Mr. Whitaker and Jeff East (as Huckleberry Finn) are the actual co-stars; and, their "Freebootin'" is a relative highlight. Very likable, but ill cast, Mr. East would return in his character's sequel "Huckleberry Finn" (1974). **** Tom Sawyer (3/14/73) Don Taylor ~ Johnny Whitaker, Jeff East, Jodie Foster, Celeste Holm

I have not seen this version of Tom Sawyer for quite a few years, but I did see it as a child on the "Big Screen". The fun part for me about this movie is that I grew up just a few miles from where most of it was filmed -- a small river town in Mid-Missouri called Arrow Rock. It's not the type of area where a person gets to see a lot of movies being filmed, so you can imagine that this was quite an event for a small rural area at the time.I was 12 at the time, same age as Johnny Whitaker when he played Tom, and I remember going to watch the filming of several scenes -- especially the "picnic scene". It was also interesting to see what was done to the town to prepare for the making of the film. The main street, which is paved asphalt, was covered with several inches of dirt. The concrete sidewalks were converted to boardwalk sidewalks, which still exist today! It was fun to watch the film in the theater, because many of the extras in the film were local townspeople, neighbors, and friends. You watched to pick out the scenes where you would recognize people you know.There is a special celebration in Arrow Rock this year for the July 4th festivities, celebrating the 35 years since the filming of Tom Sawyer (1972). Johnny Whitaker and Jeff East are returning to Arrow Rock to participate in the festivities... and I will be returning to partake also! If you're ever driving across Missouri on I-70, I invite you to take a slight detour on Hiway 41 North (just about 130 miles west of St. Louis) and visit the little historic town of Arrow Rock.... where for two months in 1972, Hollywood came to visit!

Having grown up in Missouri only an hour from Hannibal,it is gratifying to see the authentic locations that really capture the setting, and terrific portrayals from a great cast really create the spirit of Twain's book.I first saw this film when my grandparents took me to it long ago but I still can relive the joy of my childhood and "freebootin". I always imagined myself as a sort of Tom Sawyer from watching this(I secretly wanted to be him).....the film still deeply effects me......The cave sequence was actually filmed in Merramac Caverns cave, and I also believe Onondaga Cave in Missouri...it might be worth your time to visit them if you are visiting the state of Missouri....

This was a show well worth seeing. Johnnie Whitaker gives a sweet and charming performance and the legendary Celeste Holm is wonderful as always, portraying the exasperated yet loving Aunt Polly. From the wonderful songs, that, unlike most musicals, help to move the story along, to the realistic setting(it was filmed on location), to the excellent and talented cast, this movie is a charming little glimpse into the life of one one America's greatest characters and the insight into the talented author that created him.