weezeralfalfa
This was the third film adaptation of the popular 1902 book of the same title, with Mary Pickford starring in the early silent version. True, the plot retains few accurate details from the book, in which Rebecca came from a destitute farm family, rather than being transferred to one.I don't remember the particulars of many of Shirley's films. However, this has to be one of the most entertaining, with a great cast of supporting actors, as was usually the case in her best films, and with the occasional slapstick incident. As usual, she's cast as an orphan, who has to grudgingly put up with some troublesome people, but balanced by some people who treat her with a measure of respect and love. As usual, Shirley seems like a hybrid between a cute little lost girl and a pint-sized adult, who mostly(exclusively here) interacts with adults, rather than children, often helping them solve some personal crisis. She insists on being treated as an adult, as highlighted in a scene with Scott, who agrees to treat her as such, in contrast to her quarreling relatives to treat her as a child, to be molded as they wish. In consequence, Rebecca proposes marriage to Scott(Tony) in the future, but then suggests her new friend Gwen as a more realistic choice in the near future.The most troublesome people Shirley has to deal with include bossy, contrary, old Aunt Miranda, who owns the farm where Shirley is 'dumped' by her stepparents(played by Bill Demarest and Ruth Gillette), who find her a financial burden after she mistakenly is labeled a poor singer in a radio contest. But, after Shirley suddenly becomes an overnight radio sensation, they suddenly demand that she be returned to them. Ruth plays her role as an obnoxious brassy gold digger very well. Being as how Aunt Miranda melts a bit toward the end, toning down her disapproval of Rebecca taking part in radio contests and refusing to speak to long time acquaintance Homer(Slim Summerville), Melba is the only thoroughly evil character in the film. Demarest was quite a good light comedian, actually outshining Summerville, who was also a noted comedian. We also have Jack Haley, with both comedic and musical talent. He sings a back and forth memorable duet to the catchy "Alone with You" with his romantic interest: sexy blond Phyllis Brooks, as Lola, who preferred leading man Scott, as clearly evidenced during this song(the film highlight?). Phyllis also sang a solo early in the film, though not as catchy a tune. Although not billed as a singer, she had a fine singing voice and sexy mode of delivery. Her character(as suggested by her name) comes across as not as wholesome as Gwen: presumably why Scott tries to drop her as soon as he meets Gwen. ....Of course, a few years later, Haley would gain a measure of fame, playing The Tin Man, in "The Wizard of Oz". Given his good looks and talents, it's a wonder he didn't have a more prominent Hollywood career....Bo Jangles Bill Robinson is also on hand as Miranda's gardener, primarily. He and Shirley end the film starring in a costumed dance production, rather resembling the one that ended the prior "Poor Little Rich Girl"This was Scott's first Shirley Temple film. He would return with her, again as the leading man, in the lackluster '39 "Suzanna of the Mounties": one of the series of mostly box-office flops during the last few years of Shirley's association with Fox studios. Actually, Shirley had played a small role, way back in the 1933 Scott-starring western "To the Last Man". During the '30s, before he was mostly typecast as a stone-faced cowboy, Scott divided his time between westerns or other frontier-type films, and parlor films, where he was sometimes allowed to exhibit some comedic talent, as in the present film. For example, he was also a significant non-musical costar in two Astaire & Ginger musicals.Helen Westley returned for her 4th and final appearance in a Shirley Temple film, in her typecast domineering contrary family matron role. Actually, in the Astaire & Ginger film "Roberta", she was quite pleasant to Scott, in contrast to this film. She had quite a prominent stage and film career.Shirley gets to sing several new songs, as well as a medley of some of her best remembered songs from previous films. Her most memorable new song is "An Old Straw Hat", which she sings initially outside at the farm, then again in the house, where she is heard by visiting Scott and Haley, who then recognize her as the girl they are seeking, who was mistakenly dismissed on their radio show as a poor singer(quite a contrived coincidence!). On the radio program she sings "Come and Get Your Happiness", initially alone, then with a sizable backup chorus. This is followed by her medley, including "On the Good Ship Lollipop" and "Animal Crackers in My Soup".One of the many reasons I especially like this film is that, in contrast to her other films, where she has curly hair, here, once she gets to the farm, her hair-style is changed by Aunt Matilda to pigtails. She definitely looks more 'sexy' with pigtails! Notice that, in the last portion of the film, after she is forced to temporarily move back with Uncle Henry and Melba, her pigtails are replaced by curls.
MartinHafer
Lately, I have watched a bunch of Shirley Temple movies. I used to think they were all very schmaltzy, but this isn't always the case. Plus, since she was such a lovable and adorable child, even a bit of schmaltz manages to work. Of the dozen or so Temple films I've seen in the last month, I would place "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm" among the very best. And, after over 70 years, it's still very enjoyable.This film begins with Rebecca being shuttled about by her no-good uncle (William Demarest) from one audition to another. At the final audition, Rebecca wows the producer (Randolph Scott) and sponsor but the dumb assistant (Jack Haley) tells the girl that she was rejected when she really wasn't. At the end of their ropes, the uncle dumps the child on her aunt--an old grouch living at Sunnybrook Farm. The aunt is happy to take the child and Rebecca soon endears herself to everyone (big surprise). In a coincidence you'll only see in movies, her new neighbor happens to be the producer--who has been frantically searching for the child for his show. But, when he eventually discovers who she is, the aunt is not about to let the girl 'ruin her life by going into show business'! What's next? See the film.While the film has almost nothing to do with the novel "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm", it manages to work very, very well. Much of it is the writing--the script has a nice sense of humor and is better written than normal. In addition, a wonderful supporting cast helps by not placing all the film on the shoulders of little Shirley. In addition to Haley, Demarest and Scott, Gloria Stuart, Slim Summerville and Bill Robinson round out the cast. Overall, a treat--a Shirley Temple film that manages to make you smile and keeps the saccharine level in check. Well worth your time. Plus, it made my wife laugh and smile throughout--a positive statement indeed as she's even more cynical than me when it comes to films.
vincentlynch-moonoi
This is one of the better and more entertaining Shirley Temple pics, although it has virtually nothing to do with the children's book on which it was supposedly based.For starters, there's a dandy cast here. Temple is not a baby anymore, and her wide ranging talents really were quite impressive for a child of 10. Randolph Scott is good here as a radio advertising executive who discovers Rebecca; Scott had made quite a few films before this, but his best years were still in the future. William Demarest is usually an asset to almost any film, as he was here. He provides some comic relief, even as the "bad guy" stepfather. Helen Westley is fine as the owner of the farm and the aunt of Rebecca, although it would have been good if they had developed her character a bit more in the first half of the film so we would know that she loved Rebecca. Gloria Stuart is the primary love interest here, although most movie-goers will remember her better as the old lady in "Titanic". Bill (Bojangles) Robinson plays a farm hand. His role in the first half of the film is negligible, but that is more than made up for with the memorable dancing on the stairs number in the second half of the film. Slim Summerville is cool -- as always -- as the aunt's old sweetheart who jilted her, and adds more comic relief to the film. Jack Haley is pleasant as a radio performer, and while underrated for most of his career is well remembered as the Tin Man in "The Wizard Of Oz".I mentioned above that there is a part 1 and part 2 of this film. What I mean is that the first half of the film is about getting Rebecca into show business. And, it's quite a satisfying tale in and of itself. But then the stepfather returns, takes her away, and the second half of the film is about getting her back to her aunt and Sunnybrook Farm.All things considered, this is a nice little film. Look, however, for the goof -- how can a girl on her first radio show sing her greatest hits???
