Captain January

This was the first Shirley Temple movie I remember watching as a kid during the early '80s when I-along with my siblings and parents-visited some family friends in Gulfport, Mississippi. I remember liking her singing and dancing and feeling for her when she had to leave her beloved father figure of the title character. That title character was warmly played by Guy Kibbee and most of the best scenes are between him and Ms. Temple. Also loved Buddy Ebsen-especially when he's dancing with Shirley-and Slim Summerville. There were also plenty of laughs like the scenes of Shirley and Jerry Tucker-who had quite a year in 1936 as he was not only a member of Our Gang performing with the likes of Spanky, Alfalfa, and Darla, but also appearing with Bing Crosby in Anything Goes and Clark Gable in San Francisco-who plays an arrogant nephew of the truant officer who's not very nice to Captain January. So on that note, this movie is very much recommended.

Captain January (1936)

*** (out of 4)

Remake of the 1924 film has Shirley Temple taking over the role originally played by Baby Peggy. In the film she plays the feisty six-year-old Star who has been raised by Captain January (Guy Kibbee) ever since he found her after a shipwreck killed her parents. Their lives are perfect until a truancy officer (Sara Haden) shows up and tries to start trouble. CAPTAIN January is a step up from the original silent version thanks in large part to the terrific cast. With such an irresistible cast it's nearly impossible not to be entertained by this film no matter how predictable it gets. In regards to the predictability, there's certainly nothing here that's going to shock the viewer because it follows the original film fairly closely, although the truancy officer is something new here. In the original it was the girl's original family showing up that caused the problems. There's no way anyone won't see the ending here coming but it was quite good. The performances are really what makes this one worth watching with Temple and Kibbee doing a wonderful job together. There's no question that their chemistry is off the chart as the two really do come across as being very close and loving. Slim Summerville adds terrific support as the best friend and we get a young Buddy Ebsen in a small role and Jane Darwell is also great in her part. Most people remember Haden from the Andy Hardy series but she's downright perfect as the villain here and I'd say she's one of the most hated villains from any film during this era. You'll be wishing a painful torture to her character! CAPTAIN January, as I said, isn't original and it contains no big twists but it's sweet enough and features such a cast that it's pretty much irresistible.

Here's another "cute" Shirley Temple movie with interesting characters and a decent share of good song-and-dance numbers. The story is similar to a few other Temple films in which a nasty person takes Shirley away from the good people but the good guys prevail in the end. It was a tried-and-true formula in the Temple movies.

Here, the "villain" is truant officer (Sara Haden) who wants to take Shirley away from good guy "Captain January" (Guy Kibbe). Kibbe and Slim Summerville are fun to watch as peers and friends who squabble all the time. Haden is effective in her role because you just want to slap that woman!

Shirley and Buddy Ebsen team up for a very entertaining song-and-dance routine to "The Codfish Ball," the best song in the movie.

The film gets a bit uncomfortable when Shirley gets taken away but ends in the normal tearfully-happy Shirley, as always, back with her loved ones and the people who really care about her. Those include the "widow" played by Jane Darwell and the school teacher, acted by June Lang.

All in all, it's the normal Temple movie that provides good feelings, something we viewers always need.

This is the kind of film to make anyone a SHIRLEY TEMPLE fan. Here the little miss is once again an orphan but this time a kind-hearted lighthouse keeper (Guy Kibbe) is raising her as his own. Troubles come when the local schoolmarm decides Shirley needs a better education and upbringing.

Shirley not only sings a couple of bright tunes, but has a big dance scene on the wharf with Buddy Ebsen--complete with intricate taps and all kinds of whirls as they dance to "At the Codfish Ball". This and her opening number "Early Bird" are among the film's most charming routines.

Shirley gets emotional during the final tug of war where she is being torn away from the Cap, a crying scene that reveals just how deeply felt some of her performances were.

Highly recommended.

Maybe the best all-around movie of Shirley's career in terms of the acting of the entire ensemble and a well-constructed script. Shirley tugs at your heartstrings, of course, but the story never strikes a false note. And some of the scenes of the lighthouse are magnificent. Watch this one with the entire family.