InformationRap This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

Usamah Harvey The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

Mathilde the Guild Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

Ginger Very good movie overall, highly recommended. Most of the negative reviews don't have any merit and are all pollitically based. Give this movie a chance at least, and it might give you a different perspective.

bkoganbing Although Lord Jeff came out the same year as Boys Town and is essentially the same story, what this film lacks is the star quality presence of Spencer Tracy. It also could be compared to Captains Courageous where Mickey Rooney and Freddie Bartholomew play the same characters.Charles Coburn is the father figure here, head of a Thomas John Barnardo school which populate the British Isles and which were set up by the late Irish philanthropist, (he was Irish despite that name, just like Eamon DeValera).The title comes from Bartholomew's character whom when we first meet is a spoiled kid living in luxury. However he's an orphan kid whom a pair of crooks, George Zucco and Gale Sondergaard, use as a shill for their thieving rackets. Scotland Yard arrests and exposes Bartholomew, but the adults get away.The judge gives Bartholomew a break sending him to Barnardo school, one in this case that is a quasi-military institute that trains men for the Navy and Merchant Marine. In a country like Britain which depends on the sea and has the great naval tradition this is an important task the school undertakes.Bartholomew is as tough a nut to crack as he was aboard Lionel Barrymore's fishing boat in Captains Courageous and as Mickey Rooney was in Boys Town. But Rooney's in this film as well and he's the mentor kid who whips Bartholomew in line.If you've seen Boys Town you know the bad influences come back and they have to be dealt with. I'll save that for your viewing pleasure.Herbert Mundin who usually played funny little milquetoast characters is the old sea salt who teaches seamanship and discipline to the kids. This was an interesting change of parts for him and he acquits himself admirably in a different persona. You'll also see a very young Peter Lawford as one of the kids, this was one of his earliest films.The finale takes place aboard the new Cunard liner the Queen Mary. All in all Lord Jeff is a fine family film from MGM.

kidboots This was the last time Freddie Bartholomew was top billed and in my opinion outshone the very annoying Irish accented Mickey Rooney.Called "The Boy From Barnardos" in England it is the story of Jeffrey Braemer (Freddie Bartholomew) who as "Lord Jeff" is one of a trio of upper crust jewel thieves. He is masquerading as a young Lord, who, along with his dowdy "governess" (a disguised Gale Sondergaard) is making life very unpleasant for staff at a grand hotel with his demands and behaviour. After their capture, he is sent to the naval division of Dr. Barnardos to learn a trade. He isn't liked any more by the boys than he was by the hotel staff - they think him a "swell". He does make one friend, the very amiable Albert (Terry Kilburn is excellent in this role).Terence McMulvaney (Mickey Rooney) is the head boy, a likable Irish lad, and is asked to take Jeff under his wing. (A young Peter Lawford also plays one of the new boys). Terence has been chosen to be an apprentice on the "Queen Mary" - a position of great trust. With no letters from his "friends" Jeff decides to run away. He gets the opportunity at a Liberty party that the boys are invited to. Terence sets out to bring him back and while returning to the dormitory, is seen and reported. He is punished by the removal of his stripes so he cannot go to his apprenticeship on the "Queen Mary". The boys realise what has happened and send Jeff to "Coventry". The annual boat race is due and "Crusty" Jelks (Herbert Mundin), who has a soft spot for Jeff, makes him Cox - his crew is not happy, even though they win!!!On yet another outing he renews his acquaintance with his initial companions (Sondergaard and George Zucco). She wants him to come back to them and resume his old ways, but Jeffrey now realizes his true loyalty lies with Barnardos and is also determined to join the "Queen Mary". They, in their turn, hide a dazzling necklace in his coat and Jeff is caught and may be sent to reform school. It all turns out okay when the couple are caught trying to flee the country and both Jeff and Terry get berths on the "Queen Mary".It is a very enjoyable film that is not too preachy. Charles Coburn is very good as Captain Briggs.Highly Recommended.

Maliejandra Kay As another reviewer concluded, this film is very much like Boys Town and even features Mickey Rooney. However, this time, the troubled teen is Freddie Bartholomew as Jeff Braemer. Jeff is involved with a group of jewel thieves, but after being caught, is sent to a orphan school to learn to be a merchant marine. Jeff's rich life has left him jaded and uncooperative, but schoolmates Terry O'Mulvaney (Rooney) and Albert Baker (Terry Kilburn) refuse to give up on him.The excellent cast makes this film worth watching many times over. There are lessons learned and friends made, but none of those things would be effective if it weren't for believable and likable characters. The subject matter is appropriate for all ages too. Sit down and enjoy this one with the family.

wes-connors Freddie Bartholomew stars as a seemingly upper crust "Lord" (Jeff Braemer) who is really an orphaned thief; suspected in an emerald necklace heist, he is sent to a navel academy and meets idealized Irish orphan Mickey Rooney (as Terry O'Mulvaney). Boy-among-the-young-men Terry Kilburn (as Albert Baker) keeps the "cute quotient" high.Their roles are tailor-made for Mr. Bartholomew's "British upper crust" and Mr. Rooney's "Irish working lad" personas. Bartholomew is perfect as the aristocratically-guised London thief, complaining about the "wretched" hotel service and fainting during opportune moments. Bussed to a a purgatory-type sailor school (not quite a hellish reform school), he immediately clashes with Rooney. The two "child stars" contrast well, and their difficult bonding becomes the film's main source of entertainment. Rooney is much more relaxed in "Lord Jeff" than other "orphaned lad" roles; here, he exudes natural likability. Kilburn's little Albert seems out of place among the older boys, but he performs as well, and gives Bartholomew's character some much-needed appeal. Other story structure, and editing, problems weaken the running time.Irrelevant, probably, to the film "Lord Jeff" is the status of its two stars. Bartholomew was a very popular "boy star" and Rooney was much more popular as a "teen star"; and, they made several films together. This film catches the Bartholomew near the end of his career, and Rooney beginning his most successful years. With this in mind, don't miss their mid-film fistfight! ****** Lord Jeff (6/17/38) Sam Wood ~ Freddie Bartholomew, Mickey Rooney, Terry Kilburn, Charles Coburn