Trivia

Both John Boles and Bill Robinson nearly drowned while trying to cross a raging, 15-foot river for an escape scene that was cut from the film.

In one scene Shirley Temple disguises herself as a black child using boot polish. A controversial act by modern standards, the use of blackface was already fairly uncommon in Hollywood films outside of scenes that showed characters specifically performing in blackface (taking part in a minstrel show, etc). The fact that characters in the film readily accept blacked-up Virgie as an actual African American child is likely an artifact of the original play; 1935 audiences would have likely expected this plot element in the film adaptation.

"Lux Radio Theater" broadcast a 60 minute radio adaptation of the movie on October 14, 1940 with Shirley Temple reprising her film role.

The play "The Littlest Rebel" opened in New York at the Liberty Theater on November 14, 1911, and closed in January 1912 after 55 performances. The opening night cast included William Farnum as Mr. Cary and Mary Miles Minter as Virgie Cary.

Virgie Cary was born on April 12, 1855.