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.

• Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
• Mickey Rooney
• George Bancroft
• Fay Bainter
• Virginia Weidler
• Eugene Pallette
• Victor Kilian
• Bobby Jordan
• Lloyd Corrigan