Lord Jeff 1938
Sam Wood's 1938 drama *Lord Jeff* plunges viewers into the underbelly of early 20th-century crime, where a privileged young boy's reckless choices land him far from the drawing room and deep inside a reformatory's harsh discipline.
Director: Sam Wood
Cast
Freddie Bartholomew
Geoffrey Braemer
Mickey Rooney
Terry O'Mulvaney
Charles Coburn
Captain Briggs
Herbert Mundin
Bosun 'Crusty' Jelks
Terry Kilburn
Albert Baker
Gale Sondergaard
Doris Clandon
Peter Lawford
Benny Potter
John Burton
John Cartwright
Walter Tetley
Tommy Thrums
Peter Ellis
Ned Saunders
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lord Jeff (1938) about?
Freddie Bartholomew stars as Geoffrey Bramer, a pampered young thief who gets caught stealing jewelry and is sentenced to a reform school for wayward boys. Once there, he forms a risky friendship with an inmate that drags both of them into a cycle of rebellion and discipline.
Who directed Lord Jeff?
Lord Jeff was directed by Sam Wood, a filmmaker known for his versatility across drama and comedy during Hollywood's Golden Age.
Who stars in Lord Jeff?
The film features Freddie Bartholomew, Mickey Rooney, and Charles Coburn alongside Herbert Mundin, Terry Kilburn, and Gale Sondergaard.
Is Lord Jeff (1938) worth watching?
*Lord Jeff* is a solid mid-century drama with compelling performances from Freddie Bartholomew and Mickey Rooney, though it may feel dated by modern standards. Its themes of redemption and class resonate, making it a curious watch for fans of classic crime and reform-school stories.
How long is Lord Jeff?
Lord Jeff runs for 85 minutes.
About Lord Jeff (1938) — A spoiled heir's reckless crime spree leads to reformatory redemption
Sam Wood's 1938 drama *Lord Jeff* plunges viewers into the underbelly of early 20th-century crime, where a privileged young boy's reckless choices land him far from the drawing room and deep inside a reformatory's harsh discipline. Freddie Bartholomew stars as Geoffrey Bramer, a spoiled heir who teams up with petty thieves to pull off high-society heists, only to be caught and sent to a nautical reform school. There, he meets Terry O'Mulvaney (Terry Kilburn), a tough yet moral inmate whose friendship becomes Geoffrey's lifeline—and his undoing. As the pair navigate the reformatory's brutal routines, Geoffrey must confront the consequences of his past and decide whether redemption or rebellion will shape his future.
Set against a gritty backdrop of crime and reform, *Lord Jeff* explores themes of class guilt, youthful rebellion, and the possibility of change. With Charles Coburn injecting sharp wit as a reformatory mentor and Gale Sondergaard adding a layer of moral complexity as a manipulative inmate, the film blends drama with moments of dark humor. The atmosphere crackles with tension, from the glittering jewel heists of high society to the austere corridors of a sailor's prison—a stark contrast that underscores the film's moral reckoning.
