sentences:  One of his first starring roles was the title character in the 1940 movie "Tom Brown's School Days", also starring Cedric Hardwicke and Freddie Bartholomew.The film was well received by critics, with "Variety" praising it in a January 1940 review as "sympathetically and skillfully made, with many touching moments and an excellent cast".Lydon was called "believable and moving in the early portions, but too young for the final moments".