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Young Tom Edison

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During the 1860s, Tom Edison (Mickey Rooney) is a precocious boy with a penchant for mischief. After setting off a smoke bomb, he is expelled from his school to the dismay of his father, Samuel (George Bancroft). However, Tom's mother, Nancy (Fay Bainter), knows that he is incredibly gifted. After Tom rescues a young boy from an oncoming train, the boy's father, Mr. McCarney (J.M. Kerrigan), offers him a job in a telegraph office, where's he's finally given a chance to prove himself.
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Young Tom Edison

Critics Reviews

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Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Rated: B- Mar 24, 2013 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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David K This is a glamorized, episodic film where pre-Marvel character, Young Tom Edison, constantly has victories over circumstances because of his brain and genius as his superpower. Enjoy it for what it is. Mickey Rooney reins it in a little, and that is effective. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/01/25 Full Review Audience Member The best inspiring movie ever made! With the best movie character ever portrayed: Mickey Rooney as Thomas Alva Edison! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/26/23 Full Review Audience Member Hollywood schlock from that era Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/17/23 Full Review Audience Member A wonderful film, especially when you consider how old it is. It sure holds up well today. Mickey Rooney is inspirational as the legendary American inventor, Tom Edison. The acting is actually quite good from everybody involved with Virginia Weidler and George Bancroft being other standouts. It's a neat movie that everybody should see. (First and only viewing - 1/18/2016) Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/19/23 Full Review Audience Member good bio-pic part one MGM bought the story of edison and split his life into 2 pics this and the spencer tracey pic Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member I love history especially the older I get. I've been to the Edison museum in W. Orange NJ and so was very interested when this movie was on this past Sunday. Mickey Rooney was America's most popular actor when this movie was made in 1940. Edison had a loving mother & sister, a heavy disciplinarian father but he was always interested in trying new things. It's a 1940's gem! Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/21/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Young Tom Edison

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Cast & Crew

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Norman Taurog

Director

Mickey Rooney

Thomas Edison

Fay Bainter

Nancy Edison

George Bancroft

Samuel Edison

Virginia Weidler

Tannie Edison

Eugene Pallette

Mr. Nelson
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Young Tom Edison

Young Tom Edison (1940) Young Tom Edison (1940) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis During the 1860s, Tom Edison (Mickey Rooney) is a precocious boy with a penchant for mischief. After setting off a smoke bomb, he is expelled from his school to the dismay of his father, Samuel (George Bancroft). However, Tom's mother, Nancy (Fay Bainter), knows that he is incredibly gifted. After Tom rescues a young boy from an oncoming train, the boy's father, Mr. McCarney (J.M. Kerrigan), offers him a job in a telegraph office, where's he's finally given a chance to prove himself.
Director
Norman Taurog
Producer
John W. Considine Jr.
Screenwriter
Hugo Butler, Bradbury Foote, Dore Schary
Distributor
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co
Metro Goldwyn Mayer
Genre
Biography
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 15, 1940, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Jun 22, 2009
Runtime
1h 22m
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