POOR LITTLE RICH GIRL

US, 1936, 79 minutes, Black and white.
Shirley Temple, Alice Faye, Jack Haley, Gloria Stuart.
Directed by Irving Cummings.

One of many successful Shirley Temple vehicles of the mid 30's. This time she has a strong supporting cast including Jack Haley (later to be The Tin Man) and Alice Faye who was to be very successful in many Fox musicals of the late 30's and early 40's.

Shirley Temple is extraordinarily precocious, not only in her acting ability but also in her confidence in singing and dancing. She seems almost too cute and is presented as extremely lovable. in the 30's she was. This popular story with a blend of rags and riches seemed to suit the need for popular entertainment (and myths) of the time.

The film takes a fairly benign view of capitalistic rivalry, of busy parents neglecting their children and also pays tribute to the popularity of radio while poking fun at commercials. It was directed by Irving Cummings who was to direct a number of Fox musicals, including many with Alice Faye.

1. Popular entertainment of the 30's, a Shirley Temple vehicle, her popularity, her style, American sweetness and cuteness - the needs of the American audiences of the 30's, in retrospect?

2. Production values: black and white photography, the atmosphere of the American city, wealth, poverty, radio studios and production numbers ? the musical score, the songs, choreography?

3. The title and its ironies and ambiguities, the isolated little rich girl and her being pampered? her yearning to be an ordinary little girl? a poor girl? an American fairy tale?

4. The portrait of Barbara, at home, pampered by servants. distant from her Father, her sneezes and colds? the wisdom of sending her to a boarding school? Collins and her accident? Barbara playing games, an imaginary name, wandering the railway station, going on a vacation? her being with the Italian family and enjoying there company, the music, the food, dancing? the encounter with the Dolan's? charming them? going to the audition? and charming the crusty old Mr. Peck, making him play games, sing and dance? her success on the radio show? singing and dancing? the danger from the man trying to abduct her? the friendship with the Dolan's, there coming to her rescue, her putting in a good word for them? the reconciliation with her Father? a precocious young girl of the 30's?

5. Mr. Barry and his being a widower, neglecting his daughter yet loving her, his being surrounded by secretaries and aides, his soap products, the rivalry with Peck and wanting to buy him out, clashes? his falling in love with the secretary after her criticism of him - the evening out, the discovery about his daughter, discovering her and reconciliation?

6. The Dolan's and there clashes, wanting to be successes, song and dance routines, the audition, the contract, Alice Faye's singing, Jack Haley's dancing, the combination with Shirley Temple and the entertaining tap dance of the long finale ?

7. Mr. Peck and his crustiness, being charmed by the little girl? his helpers? his secretary? and her falling in love with Richard Barry? the reconciliation with the merger?

8. Collins and her stuffiness, the housekeeper and her wise advice? the gallery of kindly people? the sinister man in the apartment block?

9. The cute wisdom of Shirley Temple and her charming adults? the sweetness and light of the American comedy? how well does it stand for late generations?