[1] The film had a special preview on February 10, 1940 in Port Huron, Michigan, the place where Thomas Edison spent his childhood.

When the Civil War starts, Tom sets up a printing press in the baggage car, giving passengers the latest news.

An accidental fire in the baggage car ends Tom's business for good, and when the conductor boxes his ears, his hearing is damaged.

At home, he arrays multiple lamps in front of the mirror, which magnifies the light, focusing it on the dining room table.

A voice-over praises him and promotes Edison the Man as the shot expands to include Spencer Tracy, gazing at the painting.

An accompanying article called Rooney "a rope-haired, kazoo-voiced kid with a comic-strip face, who until this week had never appeared in a picture without mugging or overacting it.

"[4] The magazine said the film featured Rooney's "most sober and restrained performance to date, [of someone] who (like himself) began at the bottom of the American heap, (like himself) had to struggle, (like himself) won, but a boy whose main activity (unlike Mickey's) was investigating, inventing, thinking.

And, for all we know, that may be the wisest attitude to take ... One thing is clear: Spencer Tracy as Edison the Man has a tough assignment ahead.

"[5] A review in Variety called it "one of the finest biographies, from entertainment standpoint, ever filmed," and complimented Rooney for playing down his "past thespic effervescence.

"[7] John Mosher of The New Yorker called the film "a particularly routine piece" but "a pleasant, innocent item, on the wholesome side, and to be admired, we older types can only hope, by the young element.