This was Shirley Temple's last movie as a "real" child. After this she was always "Little Miss Fixit", usually wiser than the adults, manipulating the people around her, whether by tears, songs or sweet looks to her particular needs. Of course the main reason to see this film is Jane Withers. She is a riot as Joy, whether trying to run Shirley over, slapping her dolls into good behaviour, pounding away on the piano or asking for a machine gun for Christmas. She proved that brats have more fun in the movies (except at the end when she gets her come-uppance). I can remember watching Jane Wither's films as a child - she was certainly a lot more bubbly and energetic than Shirley and I agree with the other reviewers, there should be more of her films in release.
The first sight is of Shirley, looking adorable, in aircap, goggles and leather coat - she is "thumbing a ride" to the airport to see Loop (James Dunn). He was her daddy's best friend and tells her stories about her father's flying adventures before he "cracked up". Her mother is employed by the Smythes, a high flying family (excuse the pun), counting on the expectations of rich "Uncle Ned". Their daughter, Joy, is the ultimate "spoilt brat" whose obnoxious behaviour is encouraged by her psychiatrist, who tells her parents not to criticize but always give her positive encouragement. Jane Withers is the whole show - in her scenes with Shirley she completely dominates the screen (and not only because she is twice as tall)!!!
Uncle Ned's one consolation is Shirley and after her mother is killed in a road accident he is determined to adopt her. Before all the drama Shirley gets to sing her most famous song, "On the Good Ship Lollipop" to the crew of Loop's plane. Did she ever get sick of singing that song I wonder??? Loop's one time fiancé, Adele (Judith Allen) comes to stay with the Smythes and falls under Shirley's spell. She and Uncle Ned join forces to try to adopt her but Loop also wants Shirley. James Dunn had such a rapport with Shirley - he was by far the best of her male co-stars. He was a bright and breezy leading man who should have had a bigger career.
After another scene with Joy - this time about Shirley's dog Wags, Shirley decides to use Loop's magic ring and runs away. She hides in the plane that Loop uses for an unexpected mail run to New York. In the film's most exciting sequence Loop and Shirley bail out when the plane is caught in a fierce storm. Their parachutes almost go over the cliff and Shirley quips "Let's do it again"!!!
This is one of her best films and it is really lifted by the co-stars. Apart from Jane Withers, Charles Sellon is an absolute scene-stealer as Uncle Ned. Jane Darwell often played sympathetic roles in Temple movies and Dorothy Christy, who always enhanced any movie she was in plays Anita Smythe.
Recommended.
The first sight is of Shirley, looking adorable, in aircap, goggles and leather coat - she is "thumbing a ride" to the airport to see Loop (James Dunn). He was her daddy's best friend and tells her stories about her father's flying adventures before he "cracked up". Her mother is employed by the Smythes, a high flying family (excuse the pun), counting on the expectations of rich "Uncle Ned". Their daughter, Joy, is the ultimate "spoilt brat" whose obnoxious behaviour is encouraged by her psychiatrist, who tells her parents not to criticize but always give her positive encouragement. Jane Withers is the whole show - in her scenes with Shirley she completely dominates the screen (and not only because she is twice as tall)!!!
Uncle Ned's one consolation is Shirley and after her mother is killed in a road accident he is determined to adopt her. Before all the drama Shirley gets to sing her most famous song, "On the Good Ship Lollipop" to the crew of Loop's plane. Did she ever get sick of singing that song I wonder??? Loop's one time fiancé, Adele (Judith Allen) comes to stay with the Smythes and falls under Shirley's spell. She and Uncle Ned join forces to try to adopt her but Loop also wants Shirley. James Dunn had such a rapport with Shirley - he was by far the best of her male co-stars. He was a bright and breezy leading man who should have had a bigger career.
After another scene with Joy - this time about Shirley's dog Wags, Shirley decides to use Loop's magic ring and runs away. She hides in the plane that Loop uses for an unexpected mail run to New York. In the film's most exciting sequence Loop and Shirley bail out when the plane is caught in a fierce storm. Their parachutes almost go over the cliff and Shirley quips "Let's do it again"!!!
This is one of her best films and it is really lifted by the co-stars. Apart from Jane Withers, Charles Sellon is an absolute scene-stealer as Uncle Ned. Jane Darwell often played sympathetic roles in Temple movies and Dorothy Christy, who always enhanced any movie she was in plays Anita Smythe.
Recommended.