this be an example of the type of film where i reckon all the character act like they know theyre in a famous novel . the style and delivery be very self conscious and prosaic and with everyone declaim their line in a very noble fashion ( sort of like the traditional delivery of shakespeare ) . c aubrey smith be by far the most interesting performer in this story and his irascible nature add some much need bite to the movie . mickey rooney be also very memorable and show once again he be a very dynamic and versatile child actor and handle comic and dramatic scene very well even in the same film . the mark of a true consummate performer . i would rank him a a definite child prodigy . ( you should also check him out in young tom edison for another example of this ) i actually think the 80 tele movie with ricky shroder and alec guiness work slightly good than this version do while the character be a lot more casual in their delivery and and the story flow well . but this be a pretty good version on it own term any rate .