Dora's Dunking Doughnuts

The thing that really struck me about this short comedy is that it is all about a guy who makes a radio commercial for a local donut shop because he actually cares about the well-being of its owner, a woman named Dora with whom he is clearly romantically interested (and who is clearly romantically interested in him as well). In a time when we are bombarded with obnoxious advertisements and endless streams of commercials, it is indeed interesting to look back to a time when it would be acceptable to make a movie about making a commercial.

Today, commercials have become so widespread that they're like a cancer on society, you can't go anywhere anymore without being advertised at, they even show commercials before the previews start at the movie theaters now. And I thought I spent $10 to get in so I could get AWAY from the commercials.

Shirley Temple is not the star of this short film, although it's easy to see why she is so good at coming to the forefront, because as is to be expected, she steals every scene that she's in, even though she is the only person who doesn't fit in at all. The film concerns a school band taught by a charming teacher named Andy, although all of the students appear to be about junior high school age, except for 5 year old Shirley.

Unfortunately, the movie loses its way completely in the second half, with the thin script being abandoned completely at about the time that people start fighting. An improvised one-man performance of Little Red Riding Hood is thrown in out of nowhere, and then we are treated to a couple of pie throwing sight gags (which are not entirely without effect) before the movie makes short work of solving the crisis that it introduced about Dora's struggling bakery, as well as the budding romance between her and Andy. It wastes a lot of time in the last act and is hardly up to par with the short comedies of the time, but is still a charming little film.

This enjoyable short feature has a little bit of almost everything, from slapstick to romance, from light comedy to musical variety acts, and more. Although Shirley Temple's winning presence is probably the main reason why it is now remembered, Andy Clyde is really the star, in a well-chosen role as a good-natured but rather disorientated schoolteacher.

The simple but amusing story has Clyde's character organizing his musically talented students to make a radio commercial, on behalf of his friend Dora and her delicious donuts. It features the kinds of pleasantly illogical plot turns that are fun to watch when they are handled properly. The wide variety of material does not always fit together seamlessly, but overall it works pretty well.

Although Temple is the best-known of the cast members now, she really only appears for occasional moments, though when she does, of course, she usually steals the scene. Clyde gives a consistent performance that helps to hold everything together, and Bud Jamison and the rest of the supporting cast help out as well. There's nothing fancy here, just good light entertainment that is easy to watch.

Dora runs a popular donut shop, and Shirley's teacher happens to have a sweet tooth (can it be he is sweet on Dora?) Classroom musical antics are interrupted when the teacher receives a message about Dora's perfect donuts. The teacher decided that the class should perform on a local radio show (they are music students). The big day arrives, but the teacher's radio show gets messed up when fights break out. Especially funny is the singing chicken woman. Directed by Henry J. Edwards, who directed other Temple vehicles, but is famed for 1935 "Scrooge" starring Sir Seymour Hicks. There are some funny scenes and rather silly characters, but it's all in good fun in this early Temple vehicle, it's only 20 minutes long.

A doughnut shop in money trouble is saved when the school music class appear on radio to promote the doughnuts. Shirley looks beautiful in this film. Shirley hasn't really got a big part in this, but when she does, she is brilliant!!!

Schoolteacher Andy Wilson makes his usual morning stop for coffee and donuts at Dora's Home Bakery.

Today he enjoys talking to Dora so much that he is late to school for the first time.

Later that day, Dora tells him about some wonderful new donuts that she has made.

Andy is so impressed with them that he decides to have his students help him make a radio commercial, in order to help Dora sell her new product.

I guess Temple was a big thing in the 30s.

I sort of find her to be annoying.

It's a mildly entertaining movie.

Wonder if this is where Dunkin Donuts got its name