La jeunesse d'Edison

Titre original : Young Tom Edison

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Mickey Rooney in La jeunesse d'Edison (1940)

Inventor Thomas Edison's boyhood is chronicled showing him as a lad whose early inventions and experiments usually end up causing disastrous results. The towns folk all think Tom is crazy, creating a strained relationship between Tom and his father. Toms only solace is his understanding mother who believes he's headed to do great things.

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Biography Drama Family

Ajouter une intrigue dans votre langueSince he was a child, Thomas Alba Edison began carrying out his first chemical experiments in the basement of his house. In addition, he had to practice multiple occupations before he could ... Tout lireSince he was a child, Thomas Alba Edison began carrying out his first chemical experiments in the basement of his house. In addition, he had to practice multiple occupations before he could register his first patent.Since he was a child, Thomas Alba Edison began carrying out his first chemical experiments in the basement of his house. In addition, he had to practice multiple occupations before he could register his first patent.

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NOTE IMDb

6,8/10

1,3 k

MA NOTE

Voir les informations de production sur IMDbPro

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- 2 victoires au total

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5/10

Spare the Rod and Spoil the Inventor

MGM opens the first film in the studio's Edison biography project by promising, "This is a story of courage. The courage and triumph of a typical American boy. In all its essential facts, it is a true story. The boy actually did experience the adventures - the joys and sorrows portrayed here. His name might have been John Jones or Bill Smith. It happened to be Thomas A. Edison."

Mickey Rooney plays "Young Tom Edison", and the movie ends with a cameo appearance by Spencer Tracy, star of "Edison, the Man" (released shortly). They weren't much like Thomas Edison or each other, but Mr. Rooney and Mr. Tracy were the #1 and #2 "Box Office" stars of 1940, according to Quigley Publications - so, these films were both very well-produced.

"Young Tom Edison" focuses on the Edison family (who disappear for the Tracy film): likewise precocious little sister Virginia Weidler (as Tannie), misunderstanding father George Bancroft (as Sam), and mysteriously ailing mother Fay Bainter (as Nancy). Rooney's adversary is "Dead End Kid" Bobby Jordan (as Joseph "Joe" Dingle), who gets repeatedly gets kicked in the shins.

In the strangest scene, Ms. Bainter pretends to take over the beating of her sixteen-year-old son while his proud father listens to Rooney's painful cries. Later, gravel-voiced train conductor Eugene Palette (as Nelson) smacks Rooney so hard he develops an earache. Doctor Lloyd Corrigan says, "Sometimes there's nothing like a good box in the ears to sharpen a boy's senses."

Edison subsequently suffered from deafness.

***** Young Tom Edison (2/10/40) Norman Taurog ~ Mickey Rooney, Virginia Weidler, Fay Bainter, George Bancroft

wes-connors
17 avr. 2010
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Anecdotes
At the time he starred in this, Mickey Rooney was literally the #1 box office attraction in America, having toppled Shirley Temple from the top spot in 1939. He would spend a total of 3 years atop the Top Ten Box Office Stars list before his appeal began to fade in 1942.

Gaffes
When young Tom jumps on the train to sell his maple candy, he tells the first customer the price is "a nickel". The scene takes place in the late 1850s. The first US nickel five cent coin wasn't issued until 1866. (At the time, the only 5¢ coin was a half-dime, a tiny silver coin but not called "a nickel".)

Citations
Samuel 'Sam' Edison: [Standing with his family, watching Tom's train depart] Once he was known as Sam Edison's son. But now I'm Tom Edison's father, and I like it!

Crédits fous
After "The End" title page, a portrait of Tom Edison is displayed and, after some of the inventor's many accomplishments are noted, then the camera pans back to show Spencer Tracy admiring the painting while the narrator announces the forthcoming "Edison, The Man (1940)" biography (featuring Tracy in the title role).

Versions alternatives
Also available in a computer-colorized version.

Connexions
Featured in Le fantôme d'Hollywood (1974)

Bandes originales
Sweet Genevieve
Written by George Cooper and Henry Tucker
Played by Fay Bainter on the organ
Sung by Virginia Weidler, Mickey Rooney and George Bancroft
Variations played throughout as part of the score