Movie

Young Tom Edison

Released: March 15, 1940 (1940)

Runtime: 86 minutes

Genres: Drama

Inventor Thomas Edison's boyhood is chronicled and shows him as a lad whose early inventions and scientific experiments usually end up causing disastrous results. As a result, the towns folk all think Tom is crazy, and creating a strained relationship between Tom and his father. Tom's only solace is his understanding mother who believes he's headed to do great things.

Main Cast (Top 10 billed, oldest first)

Clem Bevans as Mr. Waddell
Age at release: 59
George Bancroft as Samuel 'Sam' Edison
Age at release: 57
Eugene Pallette as Mr. Nelson
Age at release: 50
Victor Kilian as Mr. Dingle
Age at release: 49
Fay Bainter as Mrs. Samuel 'Nancy' Edison
Age at release: 46
Lloyd Corrigan as Dr. Pender
Age at release: 39
John Kellogg as Bill Edison
Age at release: 23
Mickey Rooney as Thomas Alva 'Tom' Edison
Age at release: 19
Bobby Jordan as Joe 'Joey' Dingle
Age at release: 16
Virginia Weidler as Tannie Edison
Age at release: 12

Show more cast

John Beck as Bartender
Age at release: 63
John Webb Dillion as Man at Station
Age at release: 63
Leigh De Lacey as Train Passenger
Age at release: 61
Eily Malyon as Miss Lavina Howard, School Teacher
Age at release: 60
Polly Bailey as Woman at Station
Age at release: 57
Jack Daley as Man at Station
Age at release: 56
Jessie Arnold as Woman at Station
Age at release: 55
Jack Baxley as Man at Dingle's Store
Age at release: 55
Ernie Adams as Passenger Buying Maple Sugar
Age at release: 54
Olin Howland as Telegrapher (Indian Attack)
Age at release: 54
Maude Allen as Woman Fainting at Downed Bridge
Age at release: 52
Wade Boteler as Si Weaver
Age at release: 51
Sammy Blum as Train Passenger
Age at release: 50
Harry Shannon as Army Captain Brackett
Age at release: 49
Eddy Chandler as Mr. Briggs
Age at release: 46
Stanley Blystone as Army Officer on Train
Age at release: 45
Budd Fine as Train Passenger
Age at release: 45
Fern Emmett as Mrs. McCarney
Age at release: 43
Sherwood Bailey as Red, Joe's Friend
Age at release: 16
Arthur Belasco as Telegrapher
Age at release: Unknown