Chasing Yesterday

Scholarly O.P. Heggie succors Anne Shirley, the orphaned daughter of an old friend, in this watchable screen adaption of an Anatole France story.

RKO did a fairly large number of movies for children in this period, and Miss Shirley, who took her screen name from her most famous role as the titular heroine of ANNE OF GREEN GABLES, was their lead actress for them -- a bit of casting that was already chafing her. This is awfully sweet, at times too sweet, but Mr. Heggie, a usually reliable actor, is excellent. There is also a wealth of supporting talent in this one, often funny and affecting. Miss Shirley is her usual sweet scamp and if the direction of George Nichols Jr. is not excellent, it is competent for the task at hand.