Frank (Junior) Coghlan portrays Sonny who, along with his best pal (Kenneth Howell) and their tiny friend Mary Lou (Shirley Temple) decide to try prospecting for gold into California's high desert region, the point of which is an attempt to gain enough money for the financing of Sonny's tuition into a military academy which his parents cannot afford for him to attend. A variety of silliness transpires during this short, much of it concerning Mary Lou's new-found desert tramp friend (Huntley Gordon) who is a victim of amnesia, but the ofttimes spontaneous roughhousing between the two teen-aged boys along with their complete artlessness causes the viewer to forget the thinly written script.
10 Reviews
Yoo-hoo! Yoo-hoo!
Anonymous_Maxine17 January 2005
Shirley Temple once again takes on the role of Mary Lou Rogers, co-starring with her irritating brother Sonny, who is just as contrived and unconvincing as he was in the same role in Pardon My Pups, as I imagine he is in most of the other short films that he stars in with Temple playing Mary Lou.
It seems that Sonny's childhood friend is going to be attending what is evidently a very coveted military academy, and after briefly celebrating, Sonny becomes sad, knowing that his own parents can't afford to send him to the same school, and that the news means that he'll be losing his best friend.
What follows is a film during which the two boys constantly act just an unrealistically as the Hardy Boys who, when faced with things like the sounds of ghosts in creepy mansions, are famous for uttering such things as "I don't feel obliged to remain in this house one moment longer!" There are a series of meaningless sight gags thrown into the movie as the boys set out to search for gold in the desert of California, setting off on bumpy dirt roads in an old jalopy (which I suppose may have been brand new at the time) on the sides of which are such crudely scrawled handwritten phrases as "Chickens Ride Inside, Roosters Ride Out," and "No Good on Dirt Roads."
Shirley tags along, the curious little sister who wants to go hang out with the big kids, and ends up running into a strangely well-dressed but crazy man in the desert, who struggles to get her to ask him silly questions but fails because she already knows the answer. Turns out he is a man of some level of fame who has been suffering from amnesia, brought on by a cause which is never explained.
Not that it matters, his whole presence in the movie is never explained. My theory is that they just needed a reason to have a man diving into a mirage that is really just hot sand to add to the sight gag of the kids plowing a wooden shack to the ground because they thought it was a mirage, just like the cavernous mansion that disappeared before their eyes earlier.
Of the few of Shirley Temple's early short films that I've seen, I've found that the ones in which she plays Mary Lou, co-starring with Frank Coghlan Jr. as Sonny, are by far the least entertaining and amusing, and this one is no exception. Temple is just as charmingly adorable as she always is, but with that level of instant adoration, they could certainly do better than this. I think her cuteness worked against her in some ways, because she's been in many films which have little else to offer.
It seems that Sonny's childhood friend is going to be attending what is evidently a very coveted military academy, and after briefly celebrating, Sonny becomes sad, knowing that his own parents can't afford to send him to the same school, and that the news means that he'll be losing his best friend.
What follows is a film during which the two boys constantly act just an unrealistically as the Hardy Boys who, when faced with things like the sounds of ghosts in creepy mansions, are famous for uttering such things as "I don't feel obliged to remain in this house one moment longer!" There are a series of meaningless sight gags thrown into the movie as the boys set out to search for gold in the desert of California, setting off on bumpy dirt roads in an old jalopy (which I suppose may have been brand new at the time) on the sides of which are such crudely scrawled handwritten phrases as "Chickens Ride Inside, Roosters Ride Out," and "No Good on Dirt Roads."
Shirley tags along, the curious little sister who wants to go hang out with the big kids, and ends up running into a strangely well-dressed but crazy man in the desert, who struggles to get her to ask him silly questions but fails because she already knows the answer. Turns out he is a man of some level of fame who has been suffering from amnesia, brought on by a cause which is never explained.
Not that it matters, his whole presence in the movie is never explained. My theory is that they just needed a reason to have a man diving into a mirage that is really just hot sand to add to the sight gag of the kids plowing a wooden shack to the ground because they thought it was a mirage, just like the cavernous mansion that disappeared before their eyes earlier.
Of the few of Shirley Temple's early short films that I've seen, I've found that the ones in which she plays Mary Lou, co-starring with Frank Coghlan Jr. as Sonny, are by far the least entertaining and amusing, and this one is no exception. Temple is just as charmingly adorable as she always is, but with that level of instant adoration, they could certainly do better than this. I think her cuteness worked against her in some ways, because she's been in many films which have little else to offer.
Shirley stows away in Sonny's car when he and a pal hunt for gold.
tinman1960200318 October 2005
In another short film by "Educational Films", Director Charles Lamont has re-united Sonny (Junior Coughlan) and Mary Lou (Shirley Temple)in this early Temple vehicle. In this one, Little Mary Lou is watching her big brother Sonny do a chemistry experiment. Sonny's pal shows up and they make plans to look for gold in the desert, to raise money for Sonny, so he can attend the military school his friend will be attending in the fall. Mary Lou hides in the trunk of Sonny's car, much to the consternation of Sonny when he finds her. While he and his pal look for gold, Mary Lou befriends a man she calls "GUS", who seems lost and can't recall his identity. When the boys tell him they're searching for gold, "Gus" shows them bags of "gold dust". Back at home, the boys show their find to a local assayer while "Gus" fiddles with Sonny's chemistry set. The resulting explosion helps "Gus" regain his memory and he rewards Sonny. Director Lamont is better known for other films, including Abbott and Costello features, Ma and Pa Kettle films and "Hit the Ice" and "Where She Danced"
Silly, But Has Some Good Moments
Snow Leopard23 November 2005
Overall, this is pretty silly and rather far-fetched, but it has some good moments, mostly thanks to young Shirley Temple. Like a great many of her short features, the story throws together a lot of offbeat ideas that don't always fit together very well. It seems to have been designed strictly as a showcase for Temple and for her co-star Junior Coghlan, who plays her older brother Sonny.
The story starts with an implausible premise and then builds on it. When Sonny's father cannot afford to send him to a military academy, Sonny and his friend decide that prospecting for gold in the desert is the natural solution to their problem. The rest of the plot ties together Temple stowing away to join them, a hooting owl, a chemistry set, an amnesiac, and other incongruous elements. It's goofy, but there are times when it is actually rather entertaining.
Temple is always full of energy, and it's a little unfortunate that her cute appearance and lively persona led to her being cast in so many insubstantial features. This one does have some amusing moments, though, and although it's probably not worth seeing more than once, it works all right as light entertainment.
The story starts with an implausible premise and then builds on it. When Sonny's father cannot afford to send him to a military academy, Sonny and his friend decide that prospecting for gold in the desert is the natural solution to their problem. The rest of the plot ties together Temple stowing away to join them, a hooting owl, a chemistry set, an amnesiac, and other incongruous elements. It's goofy, but there are times when it is actually rather entertaining.
Temple is always full of energy, and it's a little unfortunate that her cute appearance and lively persona led to her being cast in so many insubstantial features. This one does have some amusing moments, though, and although it's probably not worth seeing more than once, it works all right as light entertainment.
A Warning Label
bkoganbing3 July 2011
Managed Money ought to come with a warning label on it, that even Shirley Temple's cuteness cannot save a bad picture even a short subject like this.
Junior Coghlan and Shirley are brother and sister and he's upset because his parents can't afford to send him to the military academy where his best friend Sidney Miller is going. Got to get money, what to do. Why go out and look for gold in the desert as if either of these two kids had a clue to the finding of it.
Worse than that Shirley declares herself in on the treasure hunt and stows away. Out in the desert Shirley comes across a real down in the mouth character in Kenneth Howell. Here's where the warning label really should have been. Howell's the kind of guy kids are usually warned to avoid like the plague.
But as it does in Temple films it all magically works out. However this is not one of her best pieces of work.
Junior Coghlan and Shirley are brother and sister and he's upset because his parents can't afford to send him to the military academy where his best friend Sidney Miller is going. Got to get money, what to do. Why go out and look for gold in the desert as if either of these two kids had a clue to the finding of it.
Worse than that Shirley declares herself in on the treasure hunt and stows away. Out in the desert Shirley comes across a real down in the mouth character in Kenneth Howell. Here's where the warning label really should have been. Howell's the kind of guy kids are usually warned to avoid like the plague.
But as it does in Temple films it all magically works out. However this is not one of her best pieces of work.
Painfully Unfunny.
Space_Mafune15 January 2008
Mary Lou (Shirley Temple)'s older brother Sonny (Frank Coghlan Jr.) wants desperately to go to a coveted military school along with his buddy Sidney but his Dad cannot afford it. This doesn't deter Sonny however who hatches up a scheme to go prospecting for gold so his Dad will have money to pay for his education at the institute. Mary Lou, ever getting into trouble, decides to stow away in the back of Sonny's old car.
This whole short is built on and relies on the prospect of Temple's being cute enough to entertain most viewers and get a laugh because there's sure very little else here to really laugh about. Temple's meeting with the crazy "gold prospector" in the desert is more often uncomfortable than funny and all attempts made here at comedy feel far too forced to be the least bit effective. Only required viewing if you like to see a young Shirley Temple being cute.
This whole short is built on and relies on the prospect of Temple's being cute enough to entertain most viewers and get a laugh because there's sure very little else here to really laugh about. Temple's meeting with the crazy "gold prospector" in the desert is more often uncomfortable than funny and all attempts made here at comedy feel far too forced to be the least bit effective. Only required viewing if you like to see a young Shirley Temple being cute.
Not terrible...
planktonrules6 March 2012
Warning: Spoilers
This short was one of several Shirley Temple made before she was catapulted to fame in full-length films. And, while the film isn't very good, she is adorable and you can see some of what made her very popular during the era. In addition to Temple, Frank Coghlan, Jr. starred in this one--a very popular actor who is somewhat forgotten today.
The film begins with Sonny (Coghlan) talking with his friend. It seems the friend is excited about going off to military school and Sonny then asks his father if he can go, too. However, school is expensive and the family cannot afford it--so Sonny decides to go explore for gold(!)--and Mary Lou (Temple) tags along--hiding in the car. Eventually, they meet up with a rather insane character--a crazy prospector who gives them gold--or so he claims. How does it all turn out? Well, if you care, give it a look. The film has a few laughs and Temple is adorable. But the film suffers from a sub-par script--with MANY impossible to believe moments. It also has footage of a turtle fight that has NOTHING to do with the film--nothing! Not terrible....just not all that good.
The film begins with Sonny (Coghlan) talking with his friend. It seems the friend is excited about going off to military school and Sonny then asks his father if he can go, too. However, school is expensive and the family cannot afford it--so Sonny decides to go explore for gold(!)--and Mary Lou (Temple) tags along--hiding in the car. Eventually, they meet up with a rather insane character--a crazy prospector who gives them gold--or so he claims. How does it all turn out? Well, if you care, give it a look. The film has a few laughs and Temple is adorable. But the film suffers from a sub-par script--with MANY impossible to believe moments. It also has footage of a turtle fight that has NOTHING to do with the film--nothing! Not terrible....just not all that good.
Cute, silly, wholesome fun.
KennethEagleSpirit13 January 2007
When viewing films like this one, from this era, I think it important to keep certain things in mind. It helps keep the film in proper perspective. With that in mind, consider ... "Talkies" were still thought by some to be a passing fad. Many things were done purposely in an over-the-top manner so as to insure they came across on film. Subtle wasn't much of a consideration back then. There was a great deal of inexperience, both behind and in front of the camera, in what was still a fairly young industry, especially as it related to talkies and newer equipment that was steadily being developed. Much was new, untried and unknown. Its just as important to be able to spot raw, untrained talent as it is to know no talent. Comparing yesterdays cinematography by todays standards does a disservice to both the art of THAT era and the modern viewer. With these things remembered ... This film is one of those cute, silly, wholesome things churned out by Hollywood daily to meet the demands of the entertainment industries growing number of theatre goers. And thats all it is. But, that was good enough in the day for a smile and chuckle or two to relieve the tension of the day and it ought to be worth that much now. And so it is. ... One last thing to consider. The word "review"? Its synonymous with "opinion" here.
Yes amusing.
PatrynXX4 May 2020
DVD I had rough copy but for a 1934 film hard to find. Says 4 movies on this but there's only 3. So off to the next one. Quality on this one. eh dumb. :P But for Shirley fans only (which is my grandmothers first name, only one left for the moment. I'm am serious :) This movie isn't.
Quality: 3/10 Entertainment: 7/10 Re-Playable: 5/10
Quality: 3/10 Entertainment: 7/10 Re-Playable: 5/10
Shirley Steals the Film!
Sylviastel13 August 2011
There is no doubt why Shirley Temple stole the scenes in her films especially the short. She's adorable and precocious as the little sister. Anyway, she is here again as Mary Lou Rodgers. Her brother and his friend decide to seek their fortune in gold in the desert. Somehow Mary Lou ends up tagging along even though she can't help since she's so young and small. Anyway they meet a prospector who offers them the answer their looking for in gold that is. Anyway, Mary Lou has given her warning that there is something wrong with this guy. Well there is something wrong with this guy. Anyway you have to watch the short to see it. The audio and video quality has eroded over the years since this film was in the movie theater. There is a happy ending of course. It's not classic cinema just some mindless fun to help cheer up those in the Great Depression era.
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