REBECCA OF SUNNYBROOK FARM
US, 1938, 80 minutes, Black and white.
Shirley Temple, Randolph Scott, Jack Haley, Gloria Stuart, Helen Westley, Bill ‘Bojangles’ Robinson, William Demarest.
Directed by Allan Dwan.
Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm was a popular play. It had been filmed in 1917 with Mary Pickford. It was remade in 1932 and in 1938 as a vehicle for the young Shirley Temple. From the mid-30s to 1940, Shirley Temple was one of the chief attractions in American movies.
She is teamed here with Randolph Scott, a popular leading man at the period who was later to specialise in westerns. Jack Haley was to be the Tin Man in the Wizard of Oz the next year. Gloria Stuart had been appearing in films during the 1930s – and was to appear in Titanic sixty years later. Also appearing was famous African American dancing actor, Bill ‘Bojangles’ Robinson.
The film offers a blend of American farm life – but is also concerned about show people, talent scouts, broadcasts and the popularity of radio at the time.
1. The focus of the title on Rebecca, on Shirley Temple? The impact of this Shirley Temple vehicle in its time, now? Why the popularity?
2. The use of conventions of the folksy American elements
of screwball comedy, musical? How well did they blend? For entertainment, for showing Shirley Temple to advantage for the American tone of the film?
3. Black and white photography, city and country locations, the use of Randolph Scott as background for Shirley Temple? The songs and Shirley Temple's contribution? Her particular style and appeal?
4. The credibility of the plot? A modern fairy tale for a little girl to achieve such success?
5. The character of Rebecca: Shirley Temple and her particular style, her cuteness, the sentimental tone, her toughness, her ability in singing? Her acting the part of Cupid for Rocco? Her success as Little Miss America? The fairy-tale elements?
6. The background of the advertising business, Kent and his style, New York for his bows, hopes, reliance on Rebecca? The other personalities in the advertising firm? The radio people?
7. Kent's girlfriend and her contribution, the background of Rebecca's hopes and the background to the broadast, the orchestra? The various devices used to get her there? The irony of the old lady who hadn't spoken to the man she loved for so many years? Folksy American humour?
8. Particular elements of comedy that were successful? romance? Satire on the quests for singers? Parody elements? How enjoyable a small film? Its observations on America in the 30s?
