My least favorite S.T. film so far, being centered around illegal activities relating to horse racing and the story that a 6 year old girl is illegally put up for collateral for a $20. bet on a horse. Furthermore, her father committed suicide when he lost the bet. Had this film been made the following year, I doubt the Hays Commission would have passed this scenario. Doesn't sound like a story made for kids of Shirley's age to enjoy! Indications are that Shirley's father probably was about destitute and, since Shirley's mother had died, perhaps he didn't have anyone to help care for her. It does seem strange that Shirley doesn't seem bothered by having been dumped on strangers. Perhaps she was used to other people taking care of her while her father worked or looked for work, etc.. Menjou and Dorothy Dell several times have heated arguments, mostly over Shirley. I'm not sure they will make a good home for Shirley. Dorothy Dell is most positively impressed with Menjou when he prays for Shirley's recovery from a horse fall, and when he dumps a solution of "dope" he was supposed to inject into a horse to hopefully make it win the race, but then likely die after the race.
Why do we know Shirley weighed 40 1/2 lbs.? Because the gangsters bet on her weight and had an appropriate scale available.
Dorothy did most of the singing of several new songs composed by the team of Ralph Rainger and Leo Robin. Shirley apparently was too young to be trusted with the major singing and dancing assignments. The rather catchy theme song: "Laugh You Son of a Gun" was played during the opening and closing credits. It's also sung by Dorothy, followed by Shirley. Dorothy sings "Low Down Lullaby" when trying to put Shirley to sleep(Dorothy also falls asleep). She also sings "I'm a Black Sheep Who is Blue" formally at the cabaret where she worked. "The Sidewalks of New York" and "The Bowery" were sung by a group of gangsters dressed up like the Knights of the Round Table, with which Shirley was infatuated.
Why do we know Shirley weighed 40 1/2 lbs.? Because the gangsters bet on her weight and had an appropriate scale available.
Dorothy did most of the singing of several new songs composed by the team of Ralph Rainger and Leo Robin. Shirley apparently was too young to be trusted with the major singing and dancing assignments. The rather catchy theme song: "Laugh You Son of a Gun" was played during the opening and closing credits. It's also sung by Dorothy, followed by Shirley. Dorothy sings "Low Down Lullaby" when trying to put Shirley to sleep(Dorothy also falls asleep). She also sings "I'm a Black Sheep Who is Blue" formally at the cabaret where she worked. "The Sidewalks of New York" and "The Bowery" were sung by a group of gangsters dressed up like the Knights of the Round Table, with which Shirley was infatuated.