Although most of the Shirley Temple movies were quite formulaic, most of them had a great deal of charm, and this is probably one of the better ones. One of the things that makes many of the Temple films so great are the supporting casts, and this one has a great cast.
Shirley is a tad older here, but still bubbly, although this one doesn't have quite the classic songs that many of the films did. Here she plays an orphan that ends up living with an adoptive family in a show biz hotel. Of course, there is a threat to take Shirley away...that's to be expected.
Edward Ellis is very pleasant as "Pop" and manager of the hotel.
Edna May Oliver plays the bad "guy" who wants to shut down the hotel and have Shirley returned to the orphanage. If there's anything that doesn't work about this film, it's Oliver. She's simply too lovable to not come around and be an old softie. You know it's coming from the very beginning. Oliver has shined in practically every film she every appeared in -- she was a great scene stealer.
Donald Meek, another wonderful character actor, shines here in a role that is just a little bigger than usual, here as the brother of Oliver.
George Murphy proves once again that he was a pretty good hoofer and could play roles that were very sympathetic. Here he plays the bridge between his aunt (Oliver) and Temple's family.
Jimmy Durante shines as a Broadway trooper with a big heart. Jane Darwell is here as the head of the orphanage. And the wonderful Claude Gillingwater plays the judge.
Corny, of course. Heartwarming, of course. And just one more example that Shirley Temple could do what no other child actor ever could before or since. Try watching this film and not find yourself smiling.
Shirley is a tad older here, but still bubbly, although this one doesn't have quite the classic songs that many of the films did. Here she plays an orphan that ends up living with an adoptive family in a show biz hotel. Of course, there is a threat to take Shirley away...that's to be expected.
Edward Ellis is very pleasant as "Pop" and manager of the hotel.
Edna May Oliver plays the bad "guy" who wants to shut down the hotel and have Shirley returned to the orphanage. If there's anything that doesn't work about this film, it's Oliver. She's simply too lovable to not come around and be an old softie. You know it's coming from the very beginning. Oliver has shined in practically every film she every appeared in -- she was a great scene stealer.
Donald Meek, another wonderful character actor, shines here in a role that is just a little bigger than usual, here as the brother of Oliver.
George Murphy proves once again that he was a pretty good hoofer and could play roles that were very sympathetic. Here he plays the bridge between his aunt (Oliver) and Temple's family.
Jimmy Durante shines as a Broadway trooper with a big heart. Jane Darwell is here as the head of the orphanage. And the wonderful Claude Gillingwater plays the judge.
Corny, of course. Heartwarming, of course. And just one more example that Shirley Temple could do what no other child actor ever could before or since. Try watching this film and not find yourself smiling.