a nine year old brooklyn boy nickname ceddie ( freddie bartholomew ) and beloved by all who know him due to his kindly nature and find himself in for a most unexpected change of lifestyle when he learn he to be heir to the estate of his grandfather ( c. aubrey smith ) and a british earl and have to move in with him . a big challenge for the boy to overcome though be to bring down the barrier between his stubborn and set in his way grandfather and ceddie mother dearest ( dolores costello ) and who the earl resent his son marrying a she an american . this one really grab you by the heartstrings and doesn not let up . freddie bartholomew be simply wonderful a ceddie and wonderfully capture his character and winning over the viewing audience heart in fairly short time and no easy feat for a child star . c. aubrey smith too be just marvelous a the crotchety old grandfather who find his stubborn and hard hearted and icy exterior be wear away just by be in the presence of such a terrific young lad who love him unconditionally . dolores costello too be nicely cast and deliver the good when she call upon to do so . it the likable performance give by these star that make this a real winner in that be truly make to care about these character and what happen to them .