This film is extremely derivative--with most of the story elements of several films of the era being recycled. In many ways, it's a lot like "Boy's Town", "A Yank at Oxford" and "A Yank in the RAF". A brash young American (in this case Mickey Rooney) goes to the UK and enters one of its finest institutions. And, in the process, he makes a total nuisance of himself and expects the Brits to conform to his non-conformist ways. And, naturally, by the end of the film, he's finally learned humility and a true team spirit.
The film begins on a bizarre note. Rooney and his sister are in some sort of prep schools while their irresponsible mother is in England being wooed by some Lord or something (Ian Hunter). When she marries, she THEN informs the kids they have a new father and they are to come to live with them! Not surprisingly, the oldest child (Rooney) has difficulty with this transition.
His new step-dad and mom decide that the best thing for Mickey is to enroll at Eton--probably the most prestigious prep school on the planet. Unfortunately, the stuffy atmosphere is not to his liking. Some of it is because Rooney is a jerk and some is because he naturally didn't take to the lovely English tradition of the upperclassmen beating and otherwise maltreating the lower class. While I love the UK and have spent some time there, this is a British institution that simply makes no sense (conversely, American football and WWE wrestling are odd and brutal institutions which justifiably baffle most Brits). Not surprisingly, the sadistic system is not to Rooney's liking and he makes no bones about the contempt he feels towards these upperclassmen. Unlike these three other films, in this case you can somewhat understand the upstart American's attitudes...somewhat (especially since I saw the British film "If...." before watching this film). It all ends in a horribly contrived plot line involving a stolen car--but have no fear, Rooney MUST and WILL redeem himself by the end of the movie.
So is this all worth seeing? Well, not until you've already seen these other films, as they are better and more original. However, if you are an old movie nut like me, certainly give this a try as well. Just understand that there is little, if anything, that will take you by surprise (other than the way the mother remarried).
By the way, pay attention to a couple standouts among the upper class. Peter Lawford is the chief baddie among them and Freddie Bartholomew is distinctly less adorable than he's been in "Captains Courageous" and "Little Lord Fauntleroy". As for Rooney, he once again plays a teenager--even though he was 22 and got married the same year this film debuted. Also, when I saw all the cute boys running about in tophats and dress clothes, it almost looked like someone had created a school full of Charley McCarthy clones!
The film begins on a bizarre note. Rooney and his sister are in some sort of prep schools while their irresponsible mother is in England being wooed by some Lord or something (Ian Hunter). When she marries, she THEN informs the kids they have a new father and they are to come to live with them! Not surprisingly, the oldest child (Rooney) has difficulty with this transition.
His new step-dad and mom decide that the best thing for Mickey is to enroll at Eton--probably the most prestigious prep school on the planet. Unfortunately, the stuffy atmosphere is not to his liking. Some of it is because Rooney is a jerk and some is because he naturally didn't take to the lovely English tradition of the upperclassmen beating and otherwise maltreating the lower class. While I love the UK and have spent some time there, this is a British institution that simply makes no sense (conversely, American football and WWE wrestling are odd and brutal institutions which justifiably baffle most Brits). Not surprisingly, the sadistic system is not to Rooney's liking and he makes no bones about the contempt he feels towards these upperclassmen. Unlike these three other films, in this case you can somewhat understand the upstart American's attitudes...somewhat (especially since I saw the British film "If...." before watching this film). It all ends in a horribly contrived plot line involving a stolen car--but have no fear, Rooney MUST and WILL redeem himself by the end of the movie.
So is this all worth seeing? Well, not until you've already seen these other films, as they are better and more original. However, if you are an old movie nut like me, certainly give this a try as well. Just understand that there is little, if anything, that will take you by surprise (other than the way the mother remarried).
By the way, pay attention to a couple standouts among the upper class. Peter Lawford is the chief baddie among them and Freddie Bartholomew is distinctly less adorable than he's been in "Captains Courageous" and "Little Lord Fauntleroy". As for Rooney, he once again plays a teenager--even though he was 22 and got married the same year this film debuted. Also, when I saw all the cute boys running about in tophats and dress clothes, it almost looked like someone had created a school full of Charley McCarthy clones!