Golden Age Classics: A Connecticut Yankee In King Arthur's Court (1952) / Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1955) (DVD)

A Connecticut Yankee In King Arthur's Court (1952): American factory manager Hank Morgan (Thomas Mitchell) is clobbered on the head by a disgruntled employee. He awakens to find an armor- clad knight, who takes the confused Morgan prisoner and delivers him to the court of King Arthur. Using modern inventions to improve the quality of life in the sixth century kingdom, Morgan becomes a trusted royal advisor. When evil plots are hatched against Arthur, Morgan and the king are forced to flee.

Horror icon Boris Karloff is clearly having a grand old time as King Arthur. Watching him and Mitchell cope with a live performance and covering blown lines with nary a blink of an eye, as only seasoned old pros could do, is quite interesting. Director Franklin Schaffner later moved on to Hollywood where he directed blockbusters Planet Of The Apes and Patton.

Starring Boris Karloff, Thomas Mitchell, Berry Kroeger, Salem Ludwig; Directed by Franklin Schaffner.

Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn (1955): While exploring the spooky limestone caves surrounding the Mississippi River, Huck and Tom find gold and encounter the murderous Injun Joe. Fortunately, Joe missteps in the dark treacherous caverns and plummets to his death. The pals collect the bounty and vow to be blood-brothers for life. As they embark upon dangerous adventures, Huck's missing father (Thomas Mitchell), who is believed to be drowned, turns up alive and schemes to get his hands on his boys' treasure. Huck's sneaky, drunken father isn't the only one after the gold. Two gentlemen swindlers, The Duke and The King, journey down the Mississippi on Huck's raft, but they too hatch a diabolical plan to get the loot.

Starring John Carradine, Thomas Mitchell, Charles Taylor, Elizabeth Patterson; Directed by Herbert Swope, Jr.

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