Curly Top

"Curly Top" is an enjoyable film--as are most of Shirley Temple's films. And, while I do recommend it, the film cannot be counted among her very best even if it did feature one of her most famous songs, "Animal Crackers".

The film begins with Shirley living in a stuffy orphanage. Her precocious ways are NOT appreciated by the head mistress, but the chairman of the board of directors, Edward Morgan (John Boles,) is instantly captivated with her charms (as was most of America at the time!). His wanting to adopt her was not at all surprising--but his insistence that he was acting as an agent for a rich benefactor never really made sense*. As for Shirley, she wants to be adopted but declines, as she doesn't want to be separated from her sister (Rochelle Hudson) who works doing menial work at the orphanage. When Morgan hears of this, he agrees to take both (though the sister is about 19--which makes it all a bit odd!) and takes them to his home--but still not divulging that HE was their new benefactor. Later, when Morgan falls in love with the older sister, things get complicated!

Throughout most of the film, Shirley is simply adorable--perhaps too adorable. I have a VERY high tolerance for her sweetness, but here she seemed a bit less of a person and more of a performing machine. This is because she sings a few too many songs (one of which is HEAVILY scripted and choreographed) and too often she seemed to mug for the camera--definitely NOT typical of most of her vehicles. Simply put her saying "Oh my goodness" all the time eventually wore thin--though she was still, without question, quite adorable.

Overall, I did like the film--even with the way they used Shirley's character. But, the film (even apart from Shirley), had too much singing (Hudson's number was very weak and Boles' voice was too thin by today's standards), the plot was thin and made little sense as well as the idea of a man taking that much interest in Shirley did, by today's standards, seem a bit creepy. But, as I said, it was good overall due to Shirley's charm.

*This film is a re-working of the old novel "Daddy Long Legs" (which was also a play and Mary Pickford vehicle). While the plot worked fine around the turn of the century, by 1935 it was quite dated.

I must have been blind to hardly remember a thing about this film when I was a preteen! That's quite unusual because since that time, and this is a quintessential Shirley Temple film, very fun with a wonderful cast all around.

This was the first remake Shirley did of a Mary Pickford film (Daddy Long Legs). (Shirley) and her young adult sister Mary (Rochelle Hudson) are orphans adopted by wealthy orphanage trustee Edward Morgan (John Boles). The day he meets both of them, he is captivated by them both, but really has his eyes set on Shirley.

Shirley is quite the most charismatic and adorable youngster at the orphanage, but always seems to get into trouble, especially by some of the stuffy trustees and one of the matrons. Of everyone she sees besides the children, her sister, Mrs. Denham (the matron winningly played by Jane Darwell), and Edward Morgan are the only ones who stand by her. When the director orders the matrons to take her to a public institution, Edward flatly tells him he will completely withdraw his support (which is needed, as he is very wealthy). Then he talks to Shirley and asks if whether or not they can be friends. She refuses because she has to has to use "Ma'am, Sir", and smile all the time around grownup visitors. She further captivates him more, and then he asks if a "friend" of his could adopt her. She goes to ask Mary, who tells Edwards that she promised their parents to never leave Shirley. Out of sympathy, he accepts.

Edward keeps up the deception that he is not their true guardian, but that they are loaned to him for the summer. It's quite obvious why. First, he is lonely for companionship, to be loved just for himself, not his great wealth. Wealth can't buy everything, obviously. Next, he is caring enough to allow Shirley not to continue the excessive display of gratitude she's had to give.

Arthur Treacher has some wonderful scenes as the butler, completely outdoing himself when he disgustedly grabs Shirley's duck by the neck!

Rochelle Hudson, as the older sister, gets to sing "The Simple Things in Life" (and does it well), but her characterization is somewhat weak in places. She is a touch too gentle, vulnerable, and mature, but is also very sincere and sometimes light-hearted. She captivates a very young man named Jimmy Rogers, who proposes to her. She refuses him at first, but the night all this happened, Edward Morgan has already become jealous of him, not knowing he's in love with Mary. His Aunt Genevieve (excellently played by Esther Dale) tells him she thinks (actually, knows) he's very fond of her, and suspects that Jimmy will propose to Mary before the summer ends. This only makes Edward more disgusted, and Mary overhears him angrily say to his aunt that he cares nothing for Mary. She immediately takes the remark the wrong way and accepts Jimmy's proposal. But Edward cools down and wises up, finds Mary to talk to her alone, only to learn they're engaged. It's obvious that he's sad, which breaks Mary's heart. But he generously asks to add to their happiness in any way he can, little knowing what is really in store for him. Shirley learns of the engagement and says that she wants him to wed Mary. But despite Shirley simply being like she always was, John Boles really adds to the film immensely, my second favorite, and the actual reason I watch this film. He has the most rounded-out character and is utterly convincing as a very kind-hearted, generous, loving, and refreshingly human gentleman. He gives the most realistic characterization in the film, mostly because Shirley is just her normal movie persona. He beats out Jane Darwell, a wonderful character actress and Shirley's frequent co-star. He is GORGEOUS and despite being at least 38 when he did the film, looks exactly the right age to be Shirley's father and Rochelle Hudson's love interest (at 19, she looks older). He sings two songs (the same as Shirley), but with a brilliant voice that is "almost operatic" but very easy on the ears. "It's All So New To Me" is his daydream song right after he decides to adopt her, and the more upbeat "Curly Top" is a surprise for her. Discovering him for the wonderful actor and singer he is really is all so new to me.

A spunky little orphan, who brings happiness into the rather bleak institution where she lives, shakes her CURLY TOP and wins the heart of a young bachelor millionaire. Her beautiful older sister doesn't do so badly, either...

Shirley Temple is in her prime in this delightful family film. Her infectious smile & sparkling personality are ample indications as to why she was Hollywood's box office champ for years. Replete with talent & abundant charm, Little Miss Temple is a constant joy to watch & a source of never-failing amusement.

Up against a champion scene stealer, the romantic leads in Shirley's films never got a great deal of attention and it is no different here. Although both are attractive and more than competent, John Boles & Rochelle Hudson are the latest duo to sacrifice themselves on Temple's altar. Each are even given pleasant songs to sing, but the viewer squirms impatiently, wishing the story to return to The Real Star.

Shirley always found much stiffer competition from the wonderful character actors who populated her films. Here she's up against some heavy hitters. Sweet Jane Darwell & peppery Rafaela Ottiano appear as the matrons of the orphanage. Etienne Girardot plays a nasty-tempered trustee. Most especially there's the inimitable Arthur Treacher, adding another comic butler to his resume. This tall, imperious Englishman with the properly stiff upper lip was always a memorable cinematic companion to Miss Temple and he was more than capable of holding his own against the little moppet in the four films they shared. Movie mavens will recognize the great Billy Gilbert as Boles' comic cook.

Shirley gets to sing `When I Grow Up' & her classic `Animal Crackers.'

Shirley was cute, but if you are a woman, and honest, you will admit to yourself that while you are enjoying Shirley as the little orphan charmer, that it is John Boles and Rochelle Hudson who keep your interest perked in this film. John Boles was drop dead gorgeous, probably THE best looking leading man EVER to come out of Hollywood. I have to admit that he is the reason I enjoy watching this film over and over again. They don't make leading men like him anymore in Hollywood. Men who looked like real men, distinguished, wearing real suits and ties: not models, porn stars, hippies, or gay stereotypes.

John Bowles plays the too good to be true Edward Morgan who sees our curly top Shirley Temple at an orphanage and falls instantly in love, taking both her and her older sister Mary home for the summer to spoil them rotten under the disguise of a mystery benefactor.

This is a wonderful vehicle for Shirley Temple and allowed for some wonderful musical numbers including the adorable "Animal Crackers in my Soup".

Aunt Genevieve, played exceptionally by Esther Dale, plays a pivotal role when the lovely Mary has a competitor for her affections in the shape of a young wealthy pilot named Jimmy (played by the handsome Maurice Murphy).

Super sweet and a must see if you are a Shirley Temple fan.