SeeQuant Blending excellent reporting and strong storytelling, this is a disturbing film truly stranger than fiction

Deanna There are moments in this movie where the great movie it could've been peek out... They're fleeting, here, but they're worth savoring, and they happen often enough to make it worth your while.

Juana what a terribly boring film. I'm sorry but this is absolutely not deserving of best picture and will be forgotten quickly. Entertaining and engaging cinema? No. Nothing performances with flat faces and mistaking silence for subtlety.

Wyatt There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.

JohnHowardReid 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.

bkoganbing 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.

Maliejandra Kay As another reviewer concluded, this film is very much like Boys Town and even features Mickey Rooney. However, this time, the troubled teen is Freddie Bartholomew as Jeff Braemer. Jeff is involved with a group of jewel thieves, but after being caught, is sent to a orphan school to learn to be a merchant marine. Jeff's rich life has left him jaded and uncooperative, but schoolmates Terry O'Mulvaney (Rooney) and Albert Baker (Terry Kilburn) refuse to give up on him.The excellent cast makes this film worth watching many times over. There are lessons learned and friends made, but none of those things would be effective if it weren't for believable and likable characters. The subject matter is appropriate for all ages too. Sit down and enjoy this one with the family.

MartinHafer Freddie Bartholomew played a sophisticated thief who worked with two adult criminals who raised him after his parents' deaths. Because of his sick upbringing, Freddie had no conscience. Despite this, when he was captured by police, he was sent to a training school for orphans, not reform school. However, despite getting a break, Freddie is a jerk and can't help but antagonize his peers--that is until he finally sees the light and turns to the side of goodness and fair play (huzzah).This film came out the same year as BOYS TOWN and I assume one directly led to the other--as they are essentially the same film with a few changes here and there. Plus, although Mickey Rooney played a different type character, he was in both films--though in LORD JEFF he played a supporting character and Freddie Bartholomew was the lead. Heck, they even had a character in LORD JEFF that was much like Pee Wee, though fortunately, the British version did not have to die to make Freddie see the light! While this is a competent enough film, I was greatly disappointed because Charles Coburn was one of the leading characters BUT he was amazingly conventional. None of his usual pompous but charming persona is present. Apart from that, though, the film is pure late 1930s MGM family fare and is worth a look. But if you've seen BOYS TOWN, then you certainly don't need to see this, as it's just a rehash and predictably formulaic.