"Little Miss Marker" has been remade many times. Now, after seeing some of these films it's nice to finally see the original. The story is based on a Damon Runyan story and was one of Shirley Temple's earliest full-length roles.
The film stars Adolph Menjou as Sorrowful Jones--a hard-hearted bookie whose all-consuming love of money and gambling is soon to be challenged by a cute kid. That's because a sap leaves her (Shirley Temple) at the gambling establishment--with the intention on coming back for her. But, when he loses, he kills himself--leaving little 'Marky' an orphan. Now you'd think that Jones would take the child to the police. However, he comes up with a scheme with an even harder-hearted guy, Big Steve (Charles Bickford)--they'll register a horse in the child's name and then take the kid to the cops AFTER the big race! There is a problem with the plan, however--they don't realize how absolutely marvelous the child is and how she'll melt their stony hearts. There's much more to the film than this--see it and have a nice time doing so. The film gets very high marks for entertainment value, and Temple IS about the cutest thing you've ever seen! The film isn't perfect and makes little sense, but if you can just sit back and enjoy the film for what it is, then you will no doubt be happy you did. A swell film.
The film stars Adolph Menjou as Sorrowful Jones--a hard-hearted bookie whose all-consuming love of money and gambling is soon to be challenged by a cute kid. That's because a sap leaves her (Shirley Temple) at the gambling establishment--with the intention on coming back for her. But, when he loses, he kills himself--leaving little 'Marky' an orphan. Now you'd think that Jones would take the child to the police. However, he comes up with a scheme with an even harder-hearted guy, Big Steve (Charles Bickford)--they'll register a horse in the child's name and then take the kid to the cops AFTER the big race! There is a problem with the plan, however--they don't realize how absolutely marvelous the child is and how she'll melt their stony hearts. There's much more to the film than this--see it and have a nice time doing so. The film gets very high marks for entertainment value, and Temple IS about the cutest thing you've ever seen! The film isn't perfect and makes little sense, but if you can just sit back and enjoy the film for what it is, then you will no doubt be happy you did. A swell film.