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Visitors Review

lugonian 2012-05-24 20:41:20

Rebecca of Radio Land

REBECCA OF SUNNYBROOK FARM (20th Century-Fox, 1938), directed by AllanDwan, stars Shirley Temple as the title character in a screenplaysuggested on but not entirely from the story written by Kate DouglasWiggin. Returning to the formula best suited for Temple's musicaltalents following her performances in the more faithful adaptations tothe literary works of 1937's WEE WILLIE WINKIE and HEIDI, REBECCA isactually a rehash of Temple's earlier effort, THE POOR LITTLE RICH GIRL(1936), which not only has her singing some songs composed for thatproduction, reuniting her with co-stars Jack Haley and Gloria Stuart,with much of the setting taking place in a radio station, but anotherwell staged military dance number finish.The story revolves around Anthony Kent (Randolph Scott), a radiostation manager, assisted by Orville Smithers (Jack Haley), on apromotional talent search auditioning hundreds of little girls fortheir upcoming "Little Miss America" campaign sponsored by CyrusBartlett (Paul Harvey), an important client for Crackling Grain Flakes.Enduring through the intercom of listening of one bad singer afteranother vocalizing the same song of "You Got to Eat Your Spinach, Baby"over and over again, plus having to deal with overbearing parents, Kentfinally gets to hear Rebecca Winstead's (Shirley Temple) singing and isvery much impressed by her. However, due to a misunderstanding byOrville, Rebecca, accompanied by her stepfather/manager Harry Kipper(William Demarest), leave the studio thinking the audition a failure.Now that he has found himself evicted from their 950 10th Avenueapartment, and flat broke, Harry, who is unable to support hisstepdaughter, decides to have Rebecca live upstate with her AuntMiranda (Helen Westley) at Sunnybrook Farm. Realizing Orville'smistake, and now at this point of a nervous breakdown, Kent decides toget away from it all by taking a rest on his farm in the country, whichalso happens to be at Sunnybrook. Eventually the paths of Kent andRebecca meet, thanks to a little piggy, and discovering that Rebecca isthe talented child he's been searching for, he sets out to star her onthe "Crackling Grain Flakes Hour," but there's only one problem, AuntMiranda, who detests show people, especially since her late daughterhad married an actor, refuses to give Rebecca permission to perform onthe radio. Gwen (Gloria Stuart), Rebecca's first cousin, also livingunder Miranda's roof, and in love with Kent, schemes in having Rebeccasneak out at night on a hook to book broadcast set in Kent's home. Allgoes well, even after Miranda hears her on the radio, until UncleHarry, now remarried to a tough babe (Ruth Gillette), returns toSunnybrook Farm with an attorney (Clarence Wilson) to reclaim histalented stepchild.Amusing moments consist of Haley's love for Scott's temperamentalfiancée (played by Phyllis Brooks), who performs with him but refusesto give him the satisfaction; William Demarest's frequent pratfalls onAunt Miranda's loose board in front of her home; and Helen Westley asthe strong-willed Miranda, who continues to hold a grudge on Scott'sservant, Homer Busby (wonderfully played by Slim Summerville), herformer fiancé, due to some misunderstanding 25 years ago. One thingabout Wesley's character, every time she speaks, one expects her to layan egg. Also in the cast are Alan Dinehart as Mr. Purvis, Kent's radiostation rival; J. Edward Bromberg as Doctor Hill; and best of all,Franklin Pangborn as Hamilton Montgomery, a substitute organ playerwaiting for his big chance to go on the air; and Bill Robinson asMiranda's dancing farm hand.The motion picture soundtrack includes: "Happy Ending" (sung by PhyllisBrooks); "You've Got to Eat Your Spinach, Baby" (sung by individualauditioning girls); ""An Old Straw Hat" (sung by Shirley Temple);"Crackling Grain Flakes" (sung by quartet); "Alone With You" (sung byPhyllis Brooks and Jack Haley); "Come and Get Your Happiness" (sung byTemple/by Jack Yellen and Sam Polgrass); a medley of Temple oldies: "Onthe Good Ship Lollipop" (by Richard Whiting and Sidney Clare); "AnimalCrackers in My Soup" (by Ted Koehler, Irving Caesar and Ray Henderson);"When I'm With You," "Oh, My Goodness," and "Goodnight, My Friends(formerly "Goodnight, My Love" (all sung by Temple); and "The Parade ofthe Wooden Soldiers" (performed by Temple and Bill Robinson/by SidneyMitchell, Lew Pollack and Raymond Scott).One of the better radio musicals of the period, Temple shines as thelittle girl who is very self-reliant. This is also the initial film inwhich she loses her legendary curls, which comes after living underAunt Miranda's roof on Sunnybrook Farm. And speaking of legendary, hertap dancing opposite Bill Robinson ranks one of their better teamefforts, even if the tapping takes place on the radio for listeners tohear and not see, except for the movie viewing audience. REBECCA OFSUNNYBROOK FARM is not the sort of movie for grammar school students tobase a book report on, for that this is the least faithful of theearlier screen treatments, 1917 with Mary Pickford, and 1932 withMarian Nixon. It seems interesting that the writers didn't come upon amusical version to the book from which it is based, as MGM later didwith THE WIZARD OF OZ (1939), and not stray away from its originalconcept, but overlooking these major changes, with no harm done, itdoes make fine family viewing.Distributed on video cassette and later DVD, REBECCA OF SUNNYBROOK FARMis currently available in both colorized and black and white versions.Formerly shown on American Movie Classics from 1997 to 2001, it'stelevision broadcast can be found on the Fox Movie Channel. (***1/2)

Neil Doyle 2012-05-24 09:40:38

Her charm was still there but the stories were wearing thin...

REBECCA OF SUNNYBROOK FARM owes whatever charm it has to its leadinglady (SHIRLEY TEMPLE was still the number one box-office attraction inAmerica) and a modest but pleasing supporting cast. However, it'sobvious that nobody paid much attention to the original story and whatwe're left with is a rather threadbare story mixing Shirley with hershow biz talent background. And along the way, Bill Robinson gets lostin the shuffle of background characters, with only William Demarestenlivening the proceedings with his pratfalls and Helen Westley withher grumpy old maid. Edna May Oliver must have been busy.Aside from the star, GLORIA STUART does nicely as a leading lady forRANDOLPH SCOTT--the two make a handsome pair. Stuart never got her bigbreak in these sort of films but was certainly a stunning blonde in herday with very fine features. Scott seems a little standoffish, not castin his regular western mode, perhaps even a little uncomfortable in hisscenes with Shirley.Shirley has a change of hairdo (away with all those curls) but just tomake sure her audience won't pine for the good old days, she deliverssome of her old song numbers with customary ease. It has to be noted,though, that her singing voice (although on key) was always very slightindeed. She fares much better in the few tap routines she does, alwayswith that big smile and cheery presence.Not one of the best Temple films, but OK. Franklin Pangborn is fun as anervous stand-in who gets his big chance and blows it.

Ron Oliver 2012-05-22 06:43:39

Another Shirley Temple Crowd Pleaser

A frantic radio producer must find the perfect Little MissAmerica for an advertiser's national program. He discoversherin his country neighbor, REBECCA OF SUNNYBROOK FARM, anincredibly talented & precocious moppet, who proceeds tocharm all around her & bring happiness into the lives ofthosewho love her.Little Shirley Temple turns in another crowd-pleasingperformance in this pleasant family film - which bearsalmostno resemblance to the Kate Douglas Wiggin classic. It's easytosee why the little tyke was Hollywood's top star for years.Hersmile & vivacity are still stunning decades later.This time Shirley is surrounded by a plethora of male talent:rugged Randolph Scott, giving a slightly wooden performanceno doubt caused by the chagrin of playing second fiddle toaten-year-old; peppy Jack Haley, always eager to please;veteran William Demerest, displaying some of his bestpratfalls; laconic comic Slim Summerville, the unlikeliestlover;flustered Franklin Pangborn, as a very nervous organist;andthe great Bill `Bojangles' Robinson, given distressingly littletodo in his role as a farmhand - until the film's final momentswhen he gets to shine in a tap routine with Shirley.Helen Westley is great fun as grumpy Aunt Miranda; lovelyGloria Stuart is given little to do except look, well,lovely.That's champion character actress Eily Malyon as theReverend's cake-eating wife. Movie mavens will recognizeoldClarence Wilson as a shyster attorney.Shirley sings `An Old Straw Hat' & `Come And Get YourHappiness', as well as a medley of her past hits.Query: Why do film makers think radio audiences are thrilledby listening to tap dancing? In films like this you don'taskquestions like that.

heidi sammon 2012-05-21 13:22:19

Shirley lights up the screen....again!

Shirley temple at her peak as a girl singer who is sought by two rivalcereal companies to promote their radio commercials.Randolph Scott andGloria Stuart provide the romance. Helen Westley, Slim Summerville andWilliam Demarest head the supporting cast but it is 9 year old Shirley'smovie from first to last, full of charm and innocence and loosely adaptedfrom the childrens classic by Kate Douglas Wiggan.Shirley's numbers include "Come and get your happiness" and she also singsamedley of hits from her previous movies (among them On the good shiplollipop, When Im with you, Animal crackers in my soup and more)and danceswith Bill "Bojangles" Robinson.running time 71 minsb&w

bkoganbing 2012-05-19 16:04:52

"I'm Very Self Reliant"

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

Franklin McAlister III 2012-05-18 18:01:06

One of the funniest Shirley Temple movies

This is one of the good movies that Shirley Temple made because I justlove how you get so much laughter out of it. I just laughed like crazywhen that one neighbor helped get little Shirley out of the upstairsbedroom and down the ladder to the other house then he got trapped upthere because the ladder fell off the side of the house. I just crackedup and laughed because of how many funny scenes there are in thismovie. I really laughed when the Aunt came upstairs and found that manin the bed instead of little Shirley. I also got a huge amount oflaughs out of one of the final scenes in the movie when Shirley istaken away from her Aunt and how she fakes loosing her voice just toget back around the people she loves.

lpnarnialover09 2012-05-17 22:42:12

Okay if you never read the book

If you have never read or even know the original story of " Rebecca ofSunnybrook farm" then you will enjoy this movie if however you read thebook, you might want to avoid this movie if you are expecting afaithful adaptation this is not it .While I don't particularly hatethis particular Shirley Temple movie based on a classic children's bookI would only recommend it to die hard Shirley fans . I would notrecommend it to anyone who wants to see a faithful adaptation of awonderful book I would recommend the Mary Pickford version first and Ialso just found out they made a 1932 version except I don't know ifit's even available on DVD or VHS

sol- 2012-05-17 10:50:56

My brief review of the film

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

SpookyPie88 2012-05-17 02:11:19

An adorable film...

Shirley Temple definitely deserved some of her popularity after thistailor-made vehicle. The film is as adorable as the young star. Itfollows Rebecca (Temple) as she tries to fulfill her dream of singingon a popular radio show. She does this with the help of a few adultfriends who compliment Temple perfectly. Temple herself, shines in thisfilm. Singing, dancing and acting she shows a natural talent forperforming and clearly enjoys herself with this film. All in all Iwould recommend this film to anyone. It might not be the best ShirleyTemple film but it will keep you entertained all the way through andthe enchanting lead will captivate you.

Randy Rodman 2012-05-16 14:25:12

Best Non-Hog Movie Ever.

I thought this was a dandy picture until little Shirley nearly ruined thatfine Swedish Landrace piglet by picking him up and darn near rubbing thehide off him. Don't those Hollywood people know anything? You rub up on ababy Landrace too long and you spoil him for his mama, and everyone knows aspoiled pig ain't no good to nobody, especially a Swedish Landrace. After aChester White their the most delicate hogs there is! Now, you take one ofyour hardier breeds, like a Berkshire or a Saddleback, you can pick them upall you want. It won't hurt them at all; matter of fact, they like it. Butyou handle your Landraces too much when their young and you'll never getthem back on their mama's teat. They are fussy ones, thoseLandraces.Otherwise, a dandy picture.