So much average

A Masterpiece!

This is a gorgeous movie made by a gorgeous spirit.

Watching it is like watching the spectacle of a class clown at their best: you laugh at their jokes, instigate their defiance, and "ooooh" when they get in trouble.

This is one of a number of film adaptations of Mark Twain's classic novel of the same title. I haven't seen any others to compare. Although Eddie Hodges, as Huck Finn, and Archie Moore, as African American slave Jim, are the principle characters, I vote for Tony Randall as giving the stand out acting performance, as con man the 'King', along with his accomplice Mickey Shaughnessy, as the 'Duke'........In general, I found it an entertaining experience. Neville Brand plays Huck's scary ne'er do well alcoholic father, Papy, who is always criticizing Huck. He even accuses Huck of murdering his mother, since she died in childbirth. Jose Hutchinson plays the widow Douglas, who takes Huck in, being essentially an orphan. Jim, slave to the widow, runs away after he heard that she was planning on selling him to raise money to meet Papy's demand for not taking Huck way. Jim is also accused of probably murdering Huck, in Huck's staged suggestion that he had been attacked and thrown in the river. These two runaways meet and steal a raft to float down the Mississippi.......I have several reality issues to discuss. Jim's stated goal is to float down to Cairo, Illinois, a free state, and head north. But, Hannibal , Missouri, where he started from, is well north of Cairo. So, why couldn't he simply raft over to the Illinois side of the river and claim freedom?? 2)Jim recognizes the corpse in the derelict house boat they run into as being that of Papy, and refuses to allow Huck to see in that room. How did Papy's corpse wind up there? He lived in a shack. 3)Why are the King and the Duke on the steamboat that picked up Huck and Jim? They were arrested by the sheriff and presumably put in jail, unless they simply paid a fine for impersonating, with the intent of robbing an inheritance. See it In color at YouTube

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1960): Dir: Michael Curtiz / Cast: Eddie Hodges, Archie Moore, Tony Randall, Patty McCormack, Neville Brand: Family adventure about desires seen through our imagination. Young Huck Finn goes a step further when he fakes his own murder to escape his abusive drunken father but when their black slave Jim is suspected Finn takes him along. From there it is a series of events involving a steamship, a circus and a couple of thieves. Families will likely enjoy its charm but the ending is sudden and unsatisfactory. Director Michael Curtiz achieved stardom with Casablanca but his family films are lacking in the screen writing department. This film along with The Adventures of Robin Hood are well made but exist more for production than writing talent. Eddie Hodges as Finn is bumped about through numerous subplots along with Archie Moore as the loyal slave Jim. Both performers are charming and rise above plot conventions. The supporting work from the likes of Tony Randall and Patty McCormack are saving graces in an otherwise lukewarm story build around useless subplots. There is much that doesn't play into a realistic set of events, which results in shabby screen writing. Strong themes regarding adventure, courage, persistence, and friendship make this worthwhile fine viewing for families. Score: 7 / 10

Mississippi River rafting with Eddie Hodges (as Huck) and Archie Moore (as Jim) impersonating Mark Twain's pair of runaway drifters. Despite the obvious attempt to be a classy production, with a well-intentioned assemblage of cast and crew, this version sinks like a pebble (if not a stone). It's overcast and miscast, but occasionally satisfying. Lucky young Hodges, who sang with Frank Sinatra, has a great scene with Andy Devine and Buster Keaton. Apparently, 20th century filmmakers were too shy to truly transfer all "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" to film. What they hinted at (or left out completely) can be found by reading the book - or, if you're lazy, listen to a vocal version of "Moon River". We're after the same rainbow's end.***** The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (6/17/60) Michael Curtiz ~ Eddie Hodges, Archie Moore, Tony Randall

Michael Curtiz should have been thoroughly ashamed of himself when he was finished with this production. I can understand why directors will shorten or paraphrase certain adaptations from well-known literature, but to make wholesale changes in an American masterpiece is unforgivable. Huge and important parts of the novel were totally absent, or switched around and added to other parts of the movie that made it incomprehensible. Eddie Hodges (and Archie Moore) were terrible choices for the two main characters. Aside from never coming even close to a realistic dialect from that time and locale, neither actor were truly up to the task. There were some bright spots, though - notably Mickey Shaughnessy and Tony Randall (but even these were wasted.) Overall, a very poor effort and a waste of any true film buff's time. It leaves a very bad taste in one's mouth. Twain deserves better. If you want to see a better version, check out the 1939 version with Mickey Rooney.