Review of Curly Top

Curly Top (1935)
10/10
Little Shirley Invites You To Join Her For A Snack Of Animal Crackers
7 September 2000
A spunky little orphan, who brings happiness into the rather bleak institution where she lives, shakes her CURLY TOP and wins the heart of a young bachelor millionaire. Her beautiful older sister doesn't do so badly, either...

Shirley Temple is in her prime in this delightful family film. Her infectious smile & sparkling personality are ample indications as to why she was Hollywood's box office champ for years. Replete with talent & abundant charm, Little Miss Temple is a constant joy to watch & a source of never-failing amusement.

Up against a champion scene stealer, the romantic leads in Shirley's films never got a great deal of attention and it is no different here. Although both are attractive and more than competent, John Boles & Rochelle Hudson are the latest duo to sacrifice themselves on Temple's altar. Each are even given pleasant songs to sing, but the viewer squirms impatiently, wishing the story to return to The Real Star.

Shirley always found much stiffer competition from the wonderful character actors who populated her films. Here she's up against some heavy hitters. Sweet Jane Darwell & peppery Rafaela Ottiano appear as the matrons of the orphanage. Etienne Girardot plays a nasty-tempered trustee. Most especially there's the inimitable Arthur Treacher, adding another comic butler to his resume. This tall, imperious Englishman with the properly stiff upper lip was always a memorable cinematic companion to Miss Temple and he was more than capable of holding his own against the little moppet in the four films they shared. Movie mavens will recognize the great Billy Gilbert as Boles' comic cook.

Shirley gets to sing `When I Grow Up' & her classic `Animal Crackers.'
13 out of 16 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Recently Viewed