Managed Money

When viewing films like this one, from this era, I think it important to keep certain things in mind. It helps keep the film in proper perspective. With that in mind, consider ... "Talkies" were still thought by some to be a passing fad. Many things were done purposely in an over-the-top manner so as to insure they came across on film. Subtle wasn't much of a consideration back then. There was a great deal of inexperience, both behind and in front of the camera, in what was still a fairly young industry, especially as it related to talkies and newer equipment that was steadily being developed. Much was new, untried and unknown. Its just as important to be able to spot raw, untrained talent as it is to know no talent. Comparing yesterdays cinematography by todays standards does a disservice to both the art of THAT era and the modern viewer. With these things remembered ... This film is one of those cute, silly, wholesome things churned out by Hollywood daily to meet the demands of the entertainment industries growing number of theatre goers. And thats all it is. But, that was good enough in the day for a smile and chuckle or two to relieve the tension of the day and it ought to be worth that much now. And so it is. ... One last thing to consider. The word "review"? Its synonymous with "opinion" here.

Shirley Temple once again takes on the role of Mary Lou Rogers, co-starring with her irritating brother Sonny, who is just as contrived and unconvincing as he was in the same role in Pardon My Pups, as I imagine he is in most of the other short films that he stars in with Temple playing Mary Lou.

It seems that Sonny's childhood friend is going to be attending what is evidently a very coveted military academy, and after briefly celebrating, Sonny becomes sad, knowing that his own parents can't afford to send him to the same school, and that the news means that he'll be losing his best friend.

What follows is a film during which the two boys constantly act just an unrealistically as the Hardy Boys who, when faced with things like the sounds of ghosts in creepy mansions, are famous for uttering such things as "I don't feel obliged to remain in this house one moment longer!" There are a series of meaningless sight gags thrown into the movie as the boys set out to search for gold in the desert of California, setting off on bumpy dirt roads in an old jalopy (which I suppose may have been brand new at the time) on the sides of which are such crudely scrawled handwritten phrases as "Chickens Ride Inside, Roosters Ride Out," and "No Good on Dirt Roads."

Shirley tags along, the curious little sister who wants to go hang out with the big kids, and ends up running into a strangely well-dressed but crazy man in the desert, who struggles to get her to ask him silly questions but fails because she already knows the answer. Turns out he is a man of some level of fame who has been suffering from amnesia, brought on by a cause which is never explained.

Not that it matters, his whole presence in the movie is never explained. My theory is that they just needed a reason to have a man diving into a mirage that is really just hot sand to add to the sight gag of the kids plowing a wooden shack to the ground because they thought it was a mirage, just like the cavernous mansion that disappeared before their eyes earlier.

Of the few of Shirley Temple's early short films that I've seen, I've found that the ones in which she plays Mary Lou, co-starring with Frank Coghlan Jr. as Sonny, are by far the least entertaining and amusing, and this one is no exception. Temple is just as charmingly adorable as she always is, but with that level of instant adoration, they could certainly do better than this. I think her cuteness worked against her in some ways, because she's been in many films which have little else to offer.

Mary Lou (Shirley Temple)'s older brother Sonny (Frank Coghlan Jr.) wants desperately to go to a coveted military school along with his buddy Sidney but his Dad cannot afford it. This doesn't deter Sonny however who hatches up a scheme to go prospecting for gold so his Dad will have money to pay for his education at the institute. Mary Lou, ever getting into trouble, decides to stow away in the back of Sonny's old car.

This whole short is built on and relies on the prospect of Temple's being cute enough to entertain most viewers and get a laugh because there's sure very little else here to really laugh about. Temple's meeting with the crazy "gold prospector" in the desert is more often uncomfortable than funny and all attempts made here at comedy feel far too forced to be the least bit effective. Only required viewing if you like to see a young Shirley Temple being cute.

DVD I had rough copy but for a 1934 film hard to find. Says 4 movies on this but there's only 3. So off to the next one. Quality on this one. eh dumb. :P But for Shirley fans only (which is my grandmothers first name, only one left for the moment. I'm am serious :) This movie isn't.

Quality: 3/10 Entertainment: 7/10 Re-Playable: 5/10

There is no doubt why Shirley Temple stole the scenes in her films especially the short. She's adorable and precocious as the little sister. Anyway, she is here again as Mary Lou Rodgers. Her brother and his friend decide to seek their fortune in gold in the desert. Somehow Mary Lou ends up tagging along even though she can't help since she's so young and small. Anyway they meet a prospector who offers them the answer their looking for in gold that is. Anyway, Mary Lou has given her warning that there is something wrong with this guy. Well there is something wrong with this guy. Anyway you have to watch the short to see it. The audio and video quality has eroded over the years since this film was in the movie theater. There is a happy ending of course. It's not classic cinema just some mindless fun to help cheer up those in the Great Depression era.