Sonho de Moça

A pleasant if not brilliant Shirley Temple vehicle, the young actress shines as the charming Rebecca and she sings quite well too. The film itself is formulaic and very predictable with typical characters, but it nevertheless does the job reasonably well, providing an opportunity for Temple to display her talents as and actress and as a singer. The songs are a delight to listen too as well. The main setback for the film is the amateurish editing - at least three or four times continuity is broken by the presence of jump cuts - however this can easily be ignored in light of the charms of the film. It supposedly is not faithful to the source material, but as a film on its own, it does fine.

Lately, I have watched a bunch of Shirley Temple movies. I used to think they were all very schmaltzy, but this isn't always the case. Plus, since she was such a lovable and adorable child, even a bit of schmaltz manages to work. Of the dozen or so Temple films I've seen in the last month, I would place "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm" among the very best. And, after over 70 years, it's still very enjoyable.

This film begins with Rebecca being shuttled about by her no-good uncle (William Demarest) from one audition to another. At the final audition, Rebecca wows the producer (Randolph Scott) and sponsor but the dumb assistant (Jack Haley) tells the girl that she was rejected when she really wasn't. At the end of their ropes, the uncle dumps the child on her aunt--an old grouch living at Sunnybrook Farm. The aunt is happy to take the child and Rebecca soon endears herself to everyone (big surprise). In a coincidence you'll only see in movies, her new neighbor happens to be the producer--who has been frantically searching for the child for his show. But, when he eventually discovers who she is, the aunt is not about to let the girl 'ruin her life by going into show business'! What's next? See the film.

While the film has almost nothing to do with the novel "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm", it manages to work very, very well. Much of it is the writing--the script has a nice sense of humor and is better written than normal. In addition, a wonderful supporting cast helps by not placing all the film on the shoulders of little Shirley. In addition to Haley, Demarest and Scott, Gloria Stuart, Slim Summerville and Bill Robinson round out the cast. Overall, a treat--a Shirley Temple film that manages to make you smile and keeps the saccharine level in check. Well worth your time. Plus, it made my wife laugh and smile throughout--a positive statement indeed as she's even more cynical than me when it comes to films.

Advertising man Randolph Scott is trying to cast a singing Little Miss America for a radio show, sitting in his office, while assistant Jack Haley deals with the stage mothers and their brats. When Shirley Temple sings, that's it, but there's a misunderstanding and everyone goes home. Miss Temple's stepfather, William Demarest has had enough, so he takes her to her aunt Helen Westley's farm, where she charms everyone, including next-door neighbor Scott. When he finds out that she's the girl he's wanted -- besides Miss Temple's cousin, Gloria Stuart -- joy reigns supreme, except for Mrs. Westley, who wants nothing to do with show business. So they arrange a secret hookup at Randolph's house. When Demarest hears her performance, dollar signs flash in his eyes.

Although I remember almost none of this from when I read Kate Douglas Wiggin's 1903 book, that was more than sixty years ago, so I trust I can be forgiven for that. As a movie, it strikes me as a confabulation of bits and pieces from other Temple movies, with a cast she was seen with before, and even a medley of her greatest hits. Still, the big final number has her dancing with Bill Robinson to the Raymond Scott Quintette playing "The Toy Trumpet", so what is there to complain about? With Slim Summerville, Alan Dinehart, J. Edward Bromberg, Paul Harvey, and Franklin Pangborn.

Shirley temple at her peak as a girl singer who is sought by two rival cereal companies to promote their radio commercials.Randolph Scott and Gloria Stuart provide the romance. Helen Westley, Slim Summerville and William Demarest head the supporting cast but it is 9 year old Shirley's movie from first to last, full of charm and innocence and loosely adapted from the childrens classic by Kate Douglas Wiggan. Shirley's numbers include "Come and get your happiness" and she also sings a medley of hits from her previous movies (among them On the good ship lollipop, When Im with you, Animal crackers in my soup and more)and dances with Bill "Bojangles" Robinson. running time 71 mins b&w

Shirley Temple definitely deserved some of her popularity after this tailor-made vehicle. The film is as adorable as the young star. It follows Rebecca (Temple) as she tries to fulfill her dream of singing on a popular radio show. She does this with the help of a few adult friends who compliment Temple perfectly. Temple herself, shines in this film. Singing, dancing and acting she shows a natural talent for performing and clearly enjoys herself with this film. All in all I would recommend this film to anyone. It might not be the best Shirley Temple film but it will keep you entertained all the way through and the enchanting lead will captivate you.