bkoganbing Darryl F. Zanuck gave Shirley Temple a really great supporting cast for Little Miss Broadway. You can't go wrong with a cast that includes Donald Meek, Claude Gillingwater, Edna Mae Oliver, El Brendel, and the great Jimmy Durante.Shirley is adopted from Jane Darwell's orphanage by Edward Ellis a friend of her deceased parents and his daughter Phyllis Brooks who run a hotel for theatrical types. Ellis is a guy who gives easy credit so when the imperious dowager landlady of the hotel wants what is due he's caught in a bad cash flow situation.It's more than that, Oliver hates theatrical folks and is determined to close the hotel even going against her brother Donald Meek and their dancing nephew George Murphy who likes Ellis, Temple, and especially Brooks. The finale is a courtroom scene where Shirley pleads the case of the performers who have to prove how good they are to the satisfaction of Judge Gillingwater. Shirley is a persuasive advocate.For fans of Fox's eternal moppet and fans to be.

kenjha In a surprising departure from her usual roles, Shirley plays a lovable orphan. For reasons that are not clear, she is moved to a hotel full of entertainers. Unfortunately, the hotel is owned by a witch who summons the authorities to have Shirley sent back to the orphanage. No spoiler alert is needed to reveal that all ends well in Shirley's world. Those who are not Temple fans and those who like good movies should stay away from this one. The only highlight is Murphy's dancing. After retiring from show business, Murphy served as US Senator from California while Ronald Reagan was the governor! Of course Shirley became an orphan ambassador.

moonspinner55 Not-bad musical fluffball starring Shirley Temple, predictably sentiment-driven and extravagant, yet somehow fruitier than usual. Shirl plays an orphaned tyke adopted into a show-biz family overflowing with kooky characters (including tap-dancing midgets and a Swede with a pet penguin). A highlight of the film is the courtroom climax, which turns into a Busby Berkeley-styled musical production. Temple isn't at her peak here, in fact she seems rather unsure of herself on occasion. Fortunately, the rest of the players (including Jimmy Durante and Phyllis Brooks) are game, making up for the star's stiffness, and director Irving Cummings adds a good deal of eccentric pizazz. **1/2 from ****

smaniaci What a spectacular Shirley Temple movie I have chosen to see. It is entitled "Little Miss Broadway." I have been, for long, a big lover of musicals.That is especially true for those with little Shirley Temple. She has adored audiences worldwide with her singing, acting, and tap-dancing in the films.This is one of those rare movies that I would automatically give the number 10 to. It has an array of great songs such as the title. Shirley opens her act with the song "Be Optimistic." That is one of those songs where you can learn a life lesson."Little Miss Broadway" -- the song and the film itself -- are indeed heartwarming. That is rare for a musical show or film. Since it is a 1930s filmusical with Shirley Temple, I'd say it is right up there with the rest.