Freddie Bartholomew's parents lost a court fight with his aunt over the boy and his MGM salary

Freddie Bartholomew was raised by his aunt, Millicent Bartholomew, at his grandparents' home in Warminster, England. In 1934 she took him to America for what she told his parents would be 60 days. She had already arranged for him to play the lead in MGM's David Copperfield. On October 22, 1935, a Los Angeles court made her guardian of his person and estate without his parents' consent. His father came from London in 1936. Under a court-approved compromise, Millicent received $800 a month for herself and the boy. Of the rest, 80 percent was held in trust for Freddie, 10 percent went to his two sisters and 10 percent to his father. In December 1936 his parents signed consents giving up all rights to his custody and earnings. Millicent adopted him on April 3, 1937. He was then earning about $100,000 a year. In September 1937 the parents asked the court to cancel the adoption, alleging fraud. The judge refused, citing the boy's wish to stay. The Court of Appeal affirmed on November 21, 1938. His salary reached $2,500 a week. In 1951 he said lawsuits with his parents and studios had left him "drained dry." He later became a vice president at the Benton & Bowles advertising agency. He died in Sarasota, Florida, in 1992.