Kept back in high school, to possibly improve his football prowess, exuberant Mickey Rooney (as Timothy "Tim" Dennis) is shocked by the appearance of little sister Juanita Quigley (as Jane, "The Runt") in the boys locker room. The adolescent "Baby Jane" has some not-so-swell news - single mom Marta Linden (as Winifred) has just married wealthy British Ian Hunter (as Roger Carlton), and the family is relocating to England. Needless to say, Mr. Rooney is excited, but not about the move; he was hoping to play football at Notre Dame, but finds himself, instead, "A Yank at Eton".
Teenage brother-by-marriage Freddie Bartholomew (as Peter Carlton) shows Rooney the ropes at jolly old Eton, and later becomes involved in the obligatory disciplinary misunderstanding. Bullying young Peter Lawford (as Ronnie Kenvil) provides conflict. Gruff Edmund Gwenn (as Justin) is the headmaster. Adorable little Raymond Severn (as "Inky" Weeld) sends the cute quotient off the charts, especially when paired with Ms. Quigley. This film seems to be a follow-up to "A Yank at Oxford" (1938), with Bartholomew swiped from RKO's "Tom Brown's School Days" (1940).
Terry Kilburn has a bigger part than King Baggot.
There are a few heart-tugging scenes, and an unmistakable wartime message. One of the comedy highlights occurs when most of the featured players eat a cake Rooney makes with glue - it's either awkward, stupid, or funny, depending on your level of appreciation for Mickey Rooney off the MGM production-line. "A Yank at Eton" had all the ingredients needed to keep box offices busy, which it did. Rooney was sitting comfortably at #4 in the Quigley "Top Ten" stars list; he gets a strong supporting cast, top flight crew, and proved formula. Producer John Considine's kid stayed in the picture.
***** A Yank at Eton (10/8/42) Norman Taurog ~ Mickey Rooney, Freddie Bartholomew, Juanita Quigley, Peter Lawford
Teenage brother-by-marriage Freddie Bartholomew (as Peter Carlton) shows Rooney the ropes at jolly old Eton, and later becomes involved in the obligatory disciplinary misunderstanding. Bullying young Peter Lawford (as Ronnie Kenvil) provides conflict. Gruff Edmund Gwenn (as Justin) is the headmaster. Adorable little Raymond Severn (as "Inky" Weeld) sends the cute quotient off the charts, especially when paired with Ms. Quigley. This film seems to be a follow-up to "A Yank at Oxford" (1938), with Bartholomew swiped from RKO's "Tom Brown's School Days" (1940).
Terry Kilburn has a bigger part than King Baggot.
There are a few heart-tugging scenes, and an unmistakable wartime message. One of the comedy highlights occurs when most of the featured players eat a cake Rooney makes with glue - it's either awkward, stupid, or funny, depending on your level of appreciation for Mickey Rooney off the MGM production-line. "A Yank at Eton" had all the ingredients needed to keep box offices busy, which it did. Rooney was sitting comfortably at #4 in the Quigley "Top Ten" stars list; he gets a strong supporting cast, top flight crew, and proved formula. Producer John Considine's kid stayed in the picture.
***** A Yank at Eton (10/8/42) Norman Taurog ~ Mickey Rooney, Freddie Bartholomew, Juanita Quigley, Peter Lawford