The only Shirley Temple(S.T.) film I can think of where Shirley has a sister(Rochelle Hudson as Mary) interacting with her. However, clearly, Mary is an adult, maybe a dozen years older than Shirley. In fact, she's the romantic interest of the lead male(John Boles),and we wonder what she is doing still being treated as an orphan?! Most of the personal conflicts are relatively mild compared to many S.T. films. The exceptions are Shirley vs. the orphanage superintendent: Mrs. Higgins and orphanage trustee Wyckoff: a no nonsense elderly gentleman. Unfortunately, he came visiting on the wrong day for Shirley. Some of Shirley's antics understandably angered the power elite of the orphanage. John Boles, an easy-going trustee, who held the purse strings of the orphanage, had to bail Shirley out of trouble by offering to adopt her and her sister Mary. When these two left the orphanage, the superintendent and matron(Jane Darnell) broke down in tears, which they told each other was occasioned by happiness. But, it's obvious this isn't the explanation.
The second half of the film, which takes place in Boles' aunt's home, where Boles lives, is almost free of significant conflicts. There is the question who is going to marry Mary. The obvious choice is Boles. However, he inexplicably doesn't let on that he's interested in her until the end, although it's obvious he likes her. This leaves Mary open to other suitors, and Boles almost looses her. Such conflicts are mostly kept under wraps.
There are 5 main songs. Shirley's lengthy rendition of "Animal Crackers in my Soup", sung during supper at the orphanage, is much the best remembered. However, I think all are catchy. Shirley's other big song "When I Grow up" is actually composed of several distinct segments, making it quite long, with changes of wardrobe. Later, Arthur Treacher, as the very tall, thin, amusing butler, and Billy Gilbert, the chubby cook, sing their version of this song. Shirley also briefly sings "On the Beach at Waikiki", while doing the hula. Rochelle Hudson(Mary)sings "The Simple Things in Life". Near the end, John Boles sings "Curly Top" to Shirley, primarily. He had a great singing voice.
All in all, a pleasant viewing experience, and one of the most tuneful of S.T. films... I lost count of the number of times Shirley exclaimed "Oh, my goodness". But in the closing frames, she changes it to "Oh, my word", which was Treacher's standard exclamation.
John Boles was also the lead male in the S.T. film "The Littlest Rebel". He obviously had great rapport with Shirley. This is the first of 4 S.T. films that Arthur Treacher played the eccentric, if proficient, butler. Jane Darwell played a minor character in quite a few S.T. films.
The second half of the film, which takes place in Boles' aunt's home, where Boles lives, is almost free of significant conflicts. There is the question who is going to marry Mary. The obvious choice is Boles. However, he inexplicably doesn't let on that he's interested in her until the end, although it's obvious he likes her. This leaves Mary open to other suitors, and Boles almost looses her. Such conflicts are mostly kept under wraps.
There are 5 main songs. Shirley's lengthy rendition of "Animal Crackers in my Soup", sung during supper at the orphanage, is much the best remembered. However, I think all are catchy. Shirley's other big song "When I Grow up" is actually composed of several distinct segments, making it quite long, with changes of wardrobe. Later, Arthur Treacher, as the very tall, thin, amusing butler, and Billy Gilbert, the chubby cook, sing their version of this song. Shirley also briefly sings "On the Beach at Waikiki", while doing the hula. Rochelle Hudson(Mary)sings "The Simple Things in Life". Near the end, John Boles sings "Curly Top" to Shirley, primarily. He had a great singing voice.
All in all, a pleasant viewing experience, and one of the most tuneful of S.T. films... I lost count of the number of times Shirley exclaimed "Oh, my goodness". But in the closing frames, she changes it to "Oh, my word", which was Treacher's standard exclamation.
John Boles was also the lead male in the S.T. film "The Littlest Rebel". He obviously had great rapport with Shirley. This is the first of 4 S.T. films that Arthur Treacher played the eccentric, if proficient, butler. Jane Darwell played a minor character in quite a few S.T. films.