Mam'zelle vedette

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.

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

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.

A frantic radio producer must find the perfect Little Miss America for an advertiser's national program. He discovers her in his country neighbor, REBECCA OF SUNNYBROOK FARM, an incredibly talented & precocious moppet, who proceeds to charm all around her & bring happiness into the lives of those who love her.

Little Shirley Temple turns in another crowd-pleasing performance in this pleasant family film - which bears almost no resemblance to the Kate Douglas Wiggin classic. It's easy to see why the little tyke was Hollywood's top star for years. Her smile & vivacity are still stunning decades later.

This time Shirley is surrounded by a plethora of male talent: rugged Randolph Scott, giving a slightly wooden performance no doubt caused by the chagrin of playing second fiddle to a ten-year-old; peppy Jack Haley, always eager to please; veteran William Demerest, displaying some of his best pratfalls; laconic comic Slim Summerville, the unlikeliest lover; flustered Franklin Pangborn, as a very nervous organist; and the great Bill `Bojangles' Robinson, given distressingly little to do in his role as a farmhand - until the film's final moments when he gets to shine in a tap routine with Shirley.

Helen Westley is great fun as grumpy Aunt Miranda; lovely Gloria Stuart is given little to do except look, well, lovely.

That's champion character actress Eily Malyon as the Reverend's cake-eating wife. Movie mavens will recognize old Clarence Wilson as a shyster attorney.

Shirley sings `An Old Straw Hat' & `Come And Get Your Happiness', as well as a medley of her past hits.

Query: Why do film makers think radio audiences are thrilled by listening to tap dancing? In films like this you don't ask questions like that.

When adorable Shirley Temple gets dropped off, at her aunt's country farm, by her irresponsible uncle, she gets to know the simple life. Only life in the country isn't so simple. Her aunt, Helen Westley, has a decades-long feud with her old beau and neighbor, Slim Summerville. She refuses to speak to him, relaying messages through Shirley even when they're all in the same frame. Then there's the other neighbor, Randolph Scott, a handsome talent scout who's dating a radio singer, Phyllis Brooks. Jack Haley is in love with Phyllis, but she won't give him the time of day. And Gloria Stuart, Shirley's cousin, is trying to fight her feelings for Scottie.

In case that isn't complicated enough, Helen Westley is anti-show business, and Shirley's already auditioned for a Little Miss America radio contest! This is one of the more complicated Shirley Temple movies, which makes sense since she's growing up. She can handle more plot than Curly Top or Stand Up and Cheer. And supposedly, her audience can, too.

Shirley sings a few songs in this one, notably a medley of other songs she's performed in her older movies. While it is very cute for Shirley to sing a medley of her previous hits, it's also bittersweet. She's growing up, and she has to acknowledge that the days of her being a charming little tot are over. For her to "remind" us of her hits, it's also a reminder that those movies were a long time ago. For those who like a good story and lots of jokes sprinkled in the script, this might be your favorite Shirley Temple flick. Helen and Slim's feud is hilarious, and I always love Jack Haley. Scott and Stuart don't do much, but for no fault of their own; it's Shirley's show. Literally!