WARNING: Several blackface musical numbers are included. If sensitive to such, best not to view this film or close your eyes during these portions.
Our story takes place in 1852 in NYC. The screenplay is driven by several conflicts, There's the conflict between wealthy Mrs. Drew and her nephew Allen over the worth of plays and actors. Allen, who is interested in theater, and in marrying an actress, gets no financial help from Drew for his theater projects. Furthermore, she says if he persists in marrying an actress, he will not then be welcome into her house. Allen also has to decide definitely which actress he wants to marry, as he has recently changed his mind several times.
The major conflict is between Shirley's desire to obtain the finer things in life and an education , by living with Mrs. Drew, or to continue living with her grandfather "The Professor", in his apartment in the slums, where there are lots of kids and dogs to play with and perform street entertainment for change. Mrs. Drew offers $5000. to "buy" Shirley. The Professor initially rejects this temping offer, but later accepts it to replace the $800. he lost on an antique swindle he fell for that was supposed to pay for the startup of a show: "Uncle Tom's Cabin". But Shirley finds she's very lonely without her grandfather, her dog, and the neighbor kids to play with. She suggests that her grandfather marry Mrs. Drew as the obvious solution, but this isn't taken seriously. Thus, The Professor gives back the $5000., but sells her his worthless "antique" watch for $1000., enough to cover his debt. Too late, she asks an antique expect, who tells her it's worthless. She calls for police to arrest him. They find him functioning as the director's aid in a performance of "Uncle Tom's Cabin". He dons blackface and extra clothes for Uncle Tom, and goes out on the stage when cued, but the real Uncle Tom player goes on the stage at the same time. He is caught; however, Mrs. Drew decides to stay for the rest of the show. She's very impressed with the play, and especially Shirley's part(Elyza)in it, and changes her mind about the worth of plays and actors. This may mean that Allen can get married to an actress without her disapproval. Also, she drops the swindle charge against The Professor , deciding that the $1000. she lost was worth it. The Professor kisses her neck, suggesting the possibility of a marriage, as Shirley hoped....Helen Westley, who played Mrs. Drew, was generally pleasant in her role when not forced to sponsor plays or when being swindled. She played matronly authoritarians mostly, and is an important character in 3 other S.T. films.
The film begins with a street performance by Shirley and the neighbor kids, singing and dancing to "Hey, What did the Blue Jay Say?" Later, Shirley , along with 2 African Americans, dance to "He was a Dandy". When Shirley is considering leaving her grandfather, she sings "Picture Me Without You".. Later, she sings the African American spiritual "Get on Board", with a blackface chorus behind her. The minstrel show after the play consists of Shirley singing and dancing in front of a large chorus of men in blackface, at least one of whom: Stepin Fetchit was an African American in blackface! The song was Dixie-anna, quite catchy for a show song.
Our story takes place in 1852 in NYC. The screenplay is driven by several conflicts, There's the conflict between wealthy Mrs. Drew and her nephew Allen over the worth of plays and actors. Allen, who is interested in theater, and in marrying an actress, gets no financial help from Drew for his theater projects. Furthermore, she says if he persists in marrying an actress, he will not then be welcome into her house. Allen also has to decide definitely which actress he wants to marry, as he has recently changed his mind several times.
The major conflict is between Shirley's desire to obtain the finer things in life and an education , by living with Mrs. Drew, or to continue living with her grandfather "The Professor", in his apartment in the slums, where there are lots of kids and dogs to play with and perform street entertainment for change. Mrs. Drew offers $5000. to "buy" Shirley. The Professor initially rejects this temping offer, but later accepts it to replace the $800. he lost on an antique swindle he fell for that was supposed to pay for the startup of a show: "Uncle Tom's Cabin". But Shirley finds she's very lonely without her grandfather, her dog, and the neighbor kids to play with. She suggests that her grandfather marry Mrs. Drew as the obvious solution, but this isn't taken seriously. Thus, The Professor gives back the $5000., but sells her his worthless "antique" watch for $1000., enough to cover his debt. Too late, she asks an antique expect, who tells her it's worthless. She calls for police to arrest him. They find him functioning as the director's aid in a performance of "Uncle Tom's Cabin". He dons blackface and extra clothes for Uncle Tom, and goes out on the stage when cued, but the real Uncle Tom player goes on the stage at the same time. He is caught; however, Mrs. Drew decides to stay for the rest of the show. She's very impressed with the play, and especially Shirley's part(Elyza)in it, and changes her mind about the worth of plays and actors. This may mean that Allen can get married to an actress without her disapproval. Also, she drops the swindle charge against The Professor , deciding that the $1000. she lost was worth it. The Professor kisses her neck, suggesting the possibility of a marriage, as Shirley hoped....Helen Westley, who played Mrs. Drew, was generally pleasant in her role when not forced to sponsor plays or when being swindled. She played matronly authoritarians mostly, and is an important character in 3 other S.T. films.
The film begins with a street performance by Shirley and the neighbor kids, singing and dancing to "Hey, What did the Blue Jay Say?" Later, Shirley , along with 2 African Americans, dance to "He was a Dandy". When Shirley is considering leaving her grandfather, she sings "Picture Me Without You".. Later, she sings the African American spiritual "Get on Board", with a blackface chorus behind her. The minstrel show after the play consists of Shirley singing and dancing in front of a large chorus of men in blackface, at least one of whom: Stepin Fetchit was an African American in blackface! The song was Dixie-anna, quite catchy for a show song.