Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm (1938) Reviews

• Shirley Temple At Her Peak

  ccthemovieman-12006-02-07

  It's almost strange to look at these "Shirley Temple films" at various stages of your own life. You view them differently as you grow older. It also depends, I suppose, on how familiar you are with 1930s films. Many of them are dated, especially with the language, songs and comedy of the period, so you have to acclimate yourself. After a decade away from her films, I viewed this one recently and found both good and bad things about watching it. The positives, however, far outweighed the negatives and I believe this is one of Shirley's more entertaining efforts. After starring now for about five years, it's obvious how comfortable she had become in her roles. She looked extremely confident in here and why not? She had her act down pat. She even performed one song that was medley of her hits from previous movies. Yup, she was a veteran at the ripe old age of 10 and at the peak of her career in the 1930s. In this movie was the normal mixture of characters, meaning a crabby old woman, a nice young couple that you wanted to see get married, a couple of wacky cronies, good 'ole Bill Robinson nearby....and the regular happy ending. The wholesome and pretty woman in here was Gloria Stuart. She was the same lady who appeared in 1997's "Titantic."" The leading man was western star Randolph Scott and the old biddy was Helen Westley. The goofballs were Slim Summerville, Jack Haley and William Demarest. This was one of the better casts in the Temple movies. The only drawback, really, was the total lack of credibility, scene after scene of things that made no sense...such as an entire orchestra and chorus setting up inside a quiet farmhouse and the occupant (Westley) unaware of it??!!! There are a number of scenes that just leave you shaking your head in amazement. So....you just have to suspend all belief and just enjoy the comedy, Shirley's tremendous talent and appeal, and all the pleasing songs and dances in here. That done, you've spent an enjoyable 80 minutes. Made during the Depression years when Americans desperately needed to feel good, Shirley Temple was perhaps the best at filling that need. Some 70 years later, she still ranks as the greatest child entertaining in United States history and her films still put a smile on one's face. She still makes us feel good.

• Another Shirley Temple Crowd Pleaser

  Ron Oliver2000-07-24

  A frantic radio producer must find the perfect Little Miss America for an advertiser's national program. He discovers her in his country neighbor, REBECCA OF SUNNYBROOK FARM, an incredibly talented & precocious moppet, who proceeds to charm all around her & bring happiness into the lives of those who love her. Little Shirley Temple turns in another crowd-pleasing performance in this pleasant family film - which bears almost no resemblance to the Kate Douglas Wiggin classic. It's easy to see why the little tyke was Hollywood's top star for years. Her smile & vivacity are still stunning decades later. This time Shirley is surrounded by a plethora of male talent: rugged Randolph Scott, giving a slightly wooden performance no doubt caused by the chagrin of playing second fiddle to a ten-year-old; peppy Jack Haley, always eager to please; veteran William Demerest, displaying some of his best pratfalls; laconic comic Slim Summerville, the unlikeliest lover; flustered Franklin Pangborn, as a very nervous organist; and the great Bill `Bojangles' Robinson, given distressingly little to do in his role as a farmhand - until the film's final moments when he gets to shine in a tap routine with Shirley. Helen Westley is great fun as grumpy Aunt Miranda; lovely Gloria Stuart is given little to do except look, well, lovely. That's champion character actress Eily Malyon as the Reverend's cake-eating wife. Movie mavens will recognize old Clarence Wilson as a shyster attorney. Shirley sings `An Old Straw Hat' & `Come And Get Your Happiness', as well as a medley of her past hits. Query: Why do film makers think radio audiences are thrilled by listening to tap dancing? In films like this you don't ask questions like that.

• "I'm Very Self Reliant"

  bkoganbing2006-06-24

  Although the film has absolutely nothing to do with the plot of Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm as written, the film is a really enjoyable one with the self reliant Shirley at her best. She has to be because Darryl Zanuck really went out of his way to give her a bunch of scene stealing character players as support for his golden little moppet. Jack Haley, Helen Westley, William Demarest, Slim Summerville all have their moments. Even Franklin Pangborn has a brief scene with Temple as a flustered organ player who is hired by a radio station to provide substitute music in case a live performer can't go on. He muffs his big chance in a hilarious scene. Randolph Scott is a frustrated radio programmer who's looking for a child radio star to be Little Miss America. He hears all kinds of Shirley Temple wannabes and then hears the genuine article. But his dumb cluck of an assistant, Jack Haley, forgets to keep her in the studio. Frustrated Scott goes back to his farm which just happens to be next to where Temple's deadbeat stepdad parks the prodigy. Shirley is now with her Aunt Helen Westley and another cousin Gloria Stuart. When Randy discovers her, his problems seem over. Of course when the deadbeat stepdad William Demarest discovers Shirley is a budding radio star he schemes to get custody of her. But our little heroine being very self reliant is up to the challenge as she is in every one of her films. I'm not writing any give aways but this is a Shirley Temple movie and there's only one way they turn out.

• My brief review of the film

  sol-2005-12-16

  A pleasant if not brilliant Shirley Temple vehicle, the young actress shines as the charming Rebecca and she sings quite well too. The film itself is formulaic and very predictable with typical characters, but it nevertheless does the job reasonably well, providing an opportunity for Temple to display her talents as and actress and as a singer. The songs are a delight to listen too as well. The main setback for the film is the amateurish editing - at least three or four times continuity is broken by the presence of jump cuts - however this can easily be ignored in light of the charms of the film. It supposedly is not faithful to the source material, but as a film on its own, it does fine.

• An adorable film...

  SpookyPie882005-02-06

  Shirley Temple definitely deserved some of her popularity after this tailor-made vehicle. The film is as adorable as the young star. It follows Rebecca (Temple) as she tries to fulfill her dream of singing on a popular radio show. She does this with the help of a few adult friends who compliment Temple perfectly. Temple herself, shines in this film. Singing, dancing and acting she shows a natural talent for performing and clearly enjoys herself with this film. All in all I would recommend this film to anyone. It might not be the best Shirley Temple film but it will keep you entertained all the way through and the enchanting lead will captivate you.