‘The Boy From Barnardo's —A Saga Of Youth

Northern Advocate, 30 January 1939, Page 9

‘The Boy From Barnardo's — A Saga Of Youth

Amusements

Dedicated to the memory of the founder of the homes that have given thousands of Britain’s orphans a fair chance in the world, “The Boy From Barnardo’s,” which commenced its Whangarei showing at the Plaza Theatre on Saturday, is a saga of youth. Combining amusement with education, the film portrays the development of outcast youngsters to take their place in the world of men as members of the largest family in the world. Re-united after their recent sterling performance in “Captains Courageous,” two of screenland’s foremost boy actors, Freddie Bartholomew and Mickey Rooney, head an imposing cast. Freddie appears as a spoiled orphan youth, accustomed to a life of luxury at the hands of a pair of international crooks. When falling foul of the law. he is given his chance in the famous Russell-Cotes School of Barnardo’s Homes, where derelict youth is trained for the mercantile marine. Thinking himself too good for his surroundings and his fellow-orphans, the lad makes life difficult for himself by his contempt of the school and all that it represents, until Mickey Rooney knocks sense into his selfopinionated mind and makes a man of him, the two ultimately embarking as shipmates on the “Queen Mary.” It is a story of boyhood which touched every heart in Saturday night’s large audience, leaving a thrill at its portrayal of youthful courage j and depth of understanding. ( An exceptionally good supporting j programme accompanies the main fea- j ture. Outstanding is an historical j mystery presentation depicting the I settlement of Salt Lake City, United j States, by the Mormons, and the mir- j aculous deliverance of the settlers ( from a plague of locusts by seagulls, j The news reels depict outstanding ; world events of 1938 in the realm of ,! international politics, sport and other | spheres. There is also an “Our Gang” j comedy. !