Definitely one of Shirley Temple's most musical ventures, and its FABULOUS. The gang's all here, beautifully handled by master director Irving Cummings, who made a great team with Temple.
10 Stars. An absolute Must.
The story certainly inspired many musicals and comedies to come, all about a hotel-filled with a lot of artists with hearts of gold. This is one film you can't get enough of; so much to see and with some of the best veteran actors strutting their stuff.
Naturally... it all begins at Jane Darwell's orphanage. Of course there's no one else better than Jane to play the motherly figure to so many poor and unfortunate kids. Among them a larger than life little girl called Betsy (played by Shirley Temple). She's also going places, destined to live with a distant relative called Pop (well played by Edward Ellis) and his sweet daughter, Barbara (Phyllis Brooks).
Fast forward to the wild hotel where Pop lives, populated by some very talented but NOISY tenants, getting on to the nerves of stone-fanced owner, Miss Wendling (masterfully portrayed by Edna May Oliver).
Bottom line; it's a close tie as to WHO outdoes WHO--Shirley Temple or Edna May Oliver. They are an incredible match, assuringly at odds with each other. Wendling wants to throw everybody into the street --but not before the proverbial BIG SHOW!
Among the performers is Jimmy Durante as a band leader! Song and dance man George Murphy plays Oliver's young nephew! Funny Donald Meek plays Oliver's kindly brother, who really likes Shirley.
That's the catch. Look for famous brother and sister midgets George and Olive Brasno, who were featured in the OUR GANG/LITTLE RASCALS short films and in CHARLIE CHAN AT THE CIRCUS, also shot at Fox.
This is a whole lot of fun, and with some dynamic singing and dance routines. So many memories if you grew up on this movie back in the day. A thank you --more recently-- to Public TV in Los Angeles for constantly re-running this classic for everyone to see and see again.
I agree with the last reviewer, there were scenes cut with Jimmy Durante and Shirley Temple together, more than likely to trim the long running time. This was revealed in documentaries, certainly a questionable decision on the shoulders of producers.
Alas, that's why its called show "business."
Always on dvd and re-mastered blu ray for all us Shirley Temple buffs.
10 Stars. An absolute Must.
The story certainly inspired many musicals and comedies to come, all about a hotel-filled with a lot of artists with hearts of gold. This is one film you can't get enough of; so much to see and with some of the best veteran actors strutting their stuff.
Naturally... it all begins at Jane Darwell's orphanage. Of course there's no one else better than Jane to play the motherly figure to so many poor and unfortunate kids. Among them a larger than life little girl called Betsy (played by Shirley Temple). She's also going places, destined to live with a distant relative called Pop (well played by Edward Ellis) and his sweet daughter, Barbara (Phyllis Brooks).
Fast forward to the wild hotel where Pop lives, populated by some very talented but NOISY tenants, getting on to the nerves of stone-fanced owner, Miss Wendling (masterfully portrayed by Edna May Oliver).
Bottom line; it's a close tie as to WHO outdoes WHO--Shirley Temple or Edna May Oliver. They are an incredible match, assuringly at odds with each other. Wendling wants to throw everybody into the street --but not before the proverbial BIG SHOW!
Among the performers is Jimmy Durante as a band leader! Song and dance man George Murphy plays Oliver's young nephew! Funny Donald Meek plays Oliver's kindly brother, who really likes Shirley.
That's the catch. Look for famous brother and sister midgets George and Olive Brasno, who were featured in the OUR GANG/LITTLE RASCALS short films and in CHARLIE CHAN AT THE CIRCUS, also shot at Fox.
This is a whole lot of fun, and with some dynamic singing and dance routines. So many memories if you grew up on this movie back in the day. A thank you --more recently-- to Public TV in Los Angeles for constantly re-running this classic for everyone to see and see again.
I agree with the last reviewer, there were scenes cut with Jimmy Durante and Shirley Temple together, more than likely to trim the long running time. This was revealed in documentaries, certainly a questionable decision on the shoulders of producers.
Alas, that's why its called show "business."
Always on dvd and re-mastered blu ray for all us Shirley Temple buffs.