LITTLE LORD FAUNTLEROY

UK, 1980, 100 minutes, Colour.
Ricky Schroder, Alec Guinness, Eric Porter, Colin Blakely, Connie Booth, Rachel Kempson.
Directed by Jack Gold.

Enjoying this early 20th century fairy tale is like experiencing time standing still - or even returning; that such a dated, nostalgic, extraordinary sweetness and light story could be so popular in the '80s. For sophisticates and the anti-sentimental of heart, this is definitely not; but, for all its contrivances, extraordinary coincidences, its aristocratic English of a bygone era and its freshly frank Yanks of another age, its touches of Dickensian squalor and humour, it is undemandingly endearing. Ricky Schroder amply holds his vigorous own with Alec Guinness, who does an expert job as the gradually mellowing crusty Earl. A talented British cast and Lincolnshire locations enhance a definitely nice picture. Director Jack Gold has made quite a range of offbeat features including The Bofors Gun, The National Health, Man Friday, Aces High, The Medusa Touch.

1. An entertaining family film? Appeal to adults, children? Nineteenth century novel? Atmosphere of Victoriana? A star vehicle for Ricky Schroder and Alec Guinness? The relevance of this kind of old fashioned entertainment for the '80s?

2. The picture of the British and an aristocratic way of life? A picturing of the American way of life? Friendship between Britons and Americans, the contrasts, the bonds? The effect of each way of life on the other? Breaking down British stuffiness? Americans delighting in the trappings of a past way of life?

3. Colour photography, re-creation of Hester Street and the American way of life, the atmosphere of Britain, the castle. the village and its delights as well as the poverty and squalor? Musical score?

4. The plausibility of the plot? The contrivances of Victorian novels and their coincidences? The importance of the Earl and his relationship to his sons, to Ceddie and his mother, the threat by Mina and the coincidence with Dick and Hobbes’ coming to England? Audiences accepting these coincidences?

5. Hester Street and the busy way of life in New York? The film's attention to detail in the apartments, the shops? The kids playing on the street? Hobbes and his homely advice? Dick? The behaviour of Ceddie as a young American boy? His poverty, memories of his dead father? The friendship with Hobbes? their playing games, the ideas from Hobbes, his writing letters to him, sending photos?

6. Haversham’s arrival in this American setting? The prim British butler type? His search for Ceddie, the conditions, the advice to Ceddie and his mother? His friendship in England? His wisdom in advising the Earl?

7. Ricky Schroeder’s style as Ceddie: boyish, boyish charm? Love for his mother., admiration for Hobbes, friendship with Dick? His reaction to the information. coping with it? The travel to England, the arrival? His bright personality, slang, gestures? His being typically American and transferring typical Americanism to England? His picture of the Earl and his response to reality? His love for his mother and coping with her absence? The visits, the puzzle? His behaviour in the castle - the servants' reaction - lightening the atmosphere? His relationship with the villagers. compassion? The possibility of his losing everything? His grandfather's sadness? The letters? The happy ending with the Earl's change of heart, his receiving his mother, the villagers being looked after?

8. Ceddie's mother and her marriage, being disowned by the Earl, Haversham's treatment of her. the conditions and her decision for Ceddie’s sake, the voyage, her companion, her living in the house by herself and her grief? Her ability to deal with dignity with the Earl? Her compassion in the village? Her being finally welcomed into the house?

9. Alex Guinness' style as the Earl - age, starchiness, prim and proper? English style? The rules of the household? His servants and their reaction to him? His accepting Ceddie? Sharing his experiences, puzzling over his language? Beginning to smile? His concern for the poor and reforming the village? The party and inviting his sister and her telling the truth? How persuasive was the mellowing of the old man?

10. Hobbes and the letters from England, the continued contrast of Hester Street with the English way of life. the letters and the importance of the exposing of Mina?

11. Mina and her story, vulgarity, her claim, pushiness, receiving her comeuppance?

12. The film's emphasis on British style, manners, clothes, traditions, expectations and brash Americanism breaking through these? A good thing?

13. Sentimental entertainment? Basic themes of family, values, sincerity? The young mellowing the old? Reconciliation?