In the Alps, 8 year old orphan Heidi (Shirley Temple) is left by her aunt Dete for her reclusive grandfather (Jean Hersholt) in his mountain cabin. He had forbidden his son's marriage and had ostracized his son's family. He reluctantly takes in the precocious girl who slowly wins him over. Grandfather refuses to send Heidi to school despite threats from the local preacher. Again, her innocence wins him over and they come down the mountain to go to church. Aunt Dete steals her away and sells her to be a companion to wheelchair bound Klara from the wealthy Sesemann family in Frankfurt. Klara's mother is dead and her father is often away. Her household is controlled by the strict Fräulein Rottenmeier who sees Heidi as a threat to her power.
The point of the story is that Heidi's utter charm and absolute innocence can win over the gruffest of mountain man. That's Shirley Temple or at least, that's her cinematic persona. So the child actor fits the role perfectly. Sure it's trite but there is a charm to the try-hard Temple in a try-hard role. It's easy to see how the adorable pint-size actress could win over the world.
The point of the story is that Heidi's utter charm and absolute innocence can win over the gruffest of mountain man. That's Shirley Temple or at least, that's her cinematic persona. So the child actor fits the role perfectly. Sure it's trite but there is a charm to the try-hard Temple in a try-hard role. It's easy to see how the adorable pint-size actress could win over the world.