I'm generally not big on Shirley Temple kid films, although she is a great performer. This is one of her best films as a child.
She is an orphan (isn't she always?) found at sea by an old lighthouse keeper. Among the lighthouse keeper's buddies are film legends Slim Summerville (sole survivor of "All Quiet on the Western Front") and Buddy Ebsen (surely everyone knows the original Tin Man and Jed Clampett).
The film is probably best classified as comedy/drama/music. Although it was made 75 years before the date of this review, 20 years before I was born, I have to admit, and I'm sure most honest people will admit, it is funnier, livelier, and more amusing than over half of the comedies made since 1990.
Why is that? Probably because at one time films were made with the public in mind, for the public, instead of vice versa.
The film moves at a brisk pace, and seems like it takes only a few minutes.
Lots of mature, likable characters, but we do have a villain. Sara Haden would steal the show as Agatha Morgan, the one you love to hate, if not for the super performers abounding in the cast. As Agatha, Sara presents a sort of sexuality underneath a vicious bark. Next to the gorgeous lead heroine, she blends into the background a bit. This was one great actress.
There is just about everything going for this work. We care about the characters, and our interest is kept throughout. Very engaging.
She is an orphan (isn't she always?) found at sea by an old lighthouse keeper. Among the lighthouse keeper's buddies are film legends Slim Summerville (sole survivor of "All Quiet on the Western Front") and Buddy Ebsen (surely everyone knows the original Tin Man and Jed Clampett).
The film is probably best classified as comedy/drama/music. Although it was made 75 years before the date of this review, 20 years before I was born, I have to admit, and I'm sure most honest people will admit, it is funnier, livelier, and more amusing than over half of the comedies made since 1990.
Why is that? Probably because at one time films were made with the public in mind, for the public, instead of vice versa.
The film moves at a brisk pace, and seems like it takes only a few minutes.
Lots of mature, likable characters, but we do have a villain. Sara Haden would steal the show as Agatha Morgan, the one you love to hate, if not for the super performers abounding in the cast. As Agatha, Sara presents a sort of sexuality underneath a vicious bark. Next to the gorgeous lead heroine, she blends into the background a bit. This was one great actress.
There is just about everything going for this work. We care about the characters, and our interest is kept throughout. Very engaging.