Nice Characters; Nice Movie
Added 4/10/2009
Here is another very nice Shirley Temple film, one of the above-average ones for her (and most of hers were above-average to start with!). This one featured really nice characters, downplayed the villain, and had a lot of songs.
It didn't have as much tap dancing as I would like to have seen, but it did feature a prolonged dance at the end with Shirley, Jack Haley and Alice Faye.
The villain was some mysterious dude who was either a child molester or a kidnapper. It was never really explained. Thankfully, he had a small role. Otherwise, it was all good people and fun ones to watch. I like seeing Gloria Stuart in her early days, too.
And.....where else but a Shirley Temple movie, would you have a song called "You've Got To Eat Your Spinach, Baby?"
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Not typical Shirley Temple in Certain Respects
Added 10/18/2007
If you feel silly watching Shirley Temple films without a child, watch this one. Jack Haley and the wonderful and sexy Alice Faye are superb. There's a dark aspect with one character stalking Shirley (rather unsettling). Everyone is terrific in the film and I believe it to be Shirley Temple's best movie. I agree with one reviewer about the cruel dispatching of the nurse Collins. It was either the result of clumsy writing or editing. Otherwise this is one enjoyable, bouncy film.
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one of Temple's best
Added 8/6/2005
THE POOR LITTLE RICH GIRL is one of Shirley Temple's most delightful offerings. She plays Barbara Barry, the daughter of a rich soap manufacturer (Michael Whalen). While being taken off to boarding school, her governess is run down by a car and in the confusion Barbara wanders off into the city. Taking on the persona of her favourite storybook character Betsy Ware, she moves in with a pair of vaudeville hoofers (Alice Faye, Jack Haley) and joins their act. Hilarity ensues when the troupe is employed by a rival soap company, and Barbara's other life is exposed.
This movie is a real charmer. Shirley sings "Oh My Goodness" as her dolls come to life and dance for her, as well as her classic "Spinach Baby" and "When I'm with You". The finale dance of "Military Man" is another highpoint. Alice Faye sings the delightful ballad "But Definitely".
With Gloria Stuart, Jane Darwell and Sara Haden.
9 out of 9 people found this helpful.
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The Best Shirley Temple Film EVER
Added 1/26/2005
This in my opinon is a hidden Temple gem and even if your not a Temple fan and enjoy watching movies with your kids or grandchildren this one to rent or buy.
A good cast and a happy ending make this movie worth buying. Of course, there is a lot of cute music, cheerful dances, and lovable moments. The cast in this one is perfectly cast and I fell in love with Shirley's widower father--for you feel that on-screen chemistry that many of hollywood's leading men had with little Shirley. Shirley's "debut" dad does a great job and Hayley does a good job as what becomes Shirley's foster dad. You also see the old grump from Bright Eyes make an apparence in this movie. So, you have a great cast in this corner.
Lots of good songs and dance numbers make this movie so charming.
Temple is simply charming and captiviating in this one- once again you see all that on-screen charisma. This Shirley movie is not to be missed a great treasure and a must-see for any temple fan.
6 out of 6 people found this helpful.
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One of Shirley Temple's best musicals
Added 8/17/2004
Shirley Temple is one of the greatest child stars in the world, her popularity soaring during the Depression era, and beloved still today. She was a real prodigy and phenomena, the likes of which we'll never see again -- bona fide adorable with thousand watt personality and a confidence and self-reliance that was never obnoxious. In her films, adults are usually conveniently dispatched to allow her an autonomy and series of adventures that makes her a great child heroine for children; invariably she also sets the adult world straight.
"Poor Little Rich Girl" is one of her best films, because it is not only a wonderful Temple vehicle, but a great musical in its own right and a pleasure to watch. Temple plays Barbara Barry, the over-protected and bored daughter of a wealthy widowed soap manufacturer. She is to be sent to school, where she will have the needed companionship of other children, when her nurse (Sara Haden) is injured. Barbara meets a vaudeville pair (Alice Faye and Jack Haley) and ends up in a radio song and dance act, Dolan and Dolan, sponsored by a rival soap company of her father's.
Along with the abundant charm and talent of Shirley Temple, there is the glorious Alice Faye and ebullient Jack Haley. The criminally underrated Alice Faye was a wonderful, sensual singer and here gets to croon several songs (and display the many facets of her personality, which was as multi-faceted as Ginger Rogers). It is especially wonderful to hear Faye's rendition of "But Definitely" in contrast to Shirley's version. Unlike some musicals, the song-and-dance numbers are woven beautifully into the plot, since it is set in the world of radio, and they are superb. The film is topped by a fabulous and intricate tap routine set to "I Love a Military Man" danced by Temple, Faye and Hailey.
The only sour spot is the heartless way the nurse is dispatched but otherwise, the film is absolutely delightful. There are terrific radio jingles along with the songs and the world of 1930's radio is a wonderful showcase for this talented, vivid cast.
10 out of 10 people found this helpful.
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Nice Characters; Nice Movie
Added 4/10/2009
Here is another very nice Shirley Temple film, one of the above-average ones for her (and most of hers were above-average to start with!). This one featured really nice characters, downplayed the villain, and had a lot of songs.
It didn't have as much tap dancing as I would like to have seen, but it did feature a prolonged dance at the end with Shirley, Jack Haley and Alice Faye.
The villain was some mysterious dude who was either a child molester or a kidnapper. It was never really explained. Thankfully, he had a small role. Otherwise, it was all good people and fun ones to watch. I like seeing Gloria Stuart in her early days, too.
And.....where else but a Shirley Temple movie, would you have a song called "You've Got To Eat Your Spinach, Baby?"
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Not typical Shirley Temple in Certain Respects
Added 10/18/2007
If you feel silly watching Shirley Temple films without a child, watch this one. Jack Haley and the wonderful and sexy Alice Faye are superb. There's a dark aspect with one character stalking Shirley (rather unsettling). Everyone is terrific in the film and I believe it to be Shirley Temple's best movie. I agree with one reviewer about the cruel dispatching of the nurse Collins. It was either the result of clumsy writing or editing. Otherwise this is one enjoyable, bouncy film.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
one of Temple's best
Added 8/6/2005
THE POOR LITTLE RICH GIRL is one of Shirley Temple's most delightful offerings. She plays Barbara Barry, the daughter of a rich soap manufacturer (Michael Whalen). While being taken off to boarding school, her governess is run down by a car and in the confusion Barbara wanders off into the city. Taking on the persona of her favourite storybook character Betsy Ware, she moves in with a pair of vaudeville hoofers (Alice Faye, Jack Haley) and joins their act. Hilarity ensues when the troupe is employed by a rival soap company, and Barbara's other life is exposed.
This movie is a real charmer. Shirley sings "Oh My Goodness" as her dolls come to life and dance for her, as well as her classic "Spinach Baby" and "When I'm with You". The finale dance of "Military Man" is another highpoint. Alice Faye sings the delightful ballad "But Definitely".
With Gloria Stuart, Jane Darwell and Sara Haden.
9 out of 9 people found this helpful.
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