The Littlest Rebel (1935)

Director:

David Butler

Writers:

Edwin J. Burke (writer)
Edward Peple (play)

Release Date:

22 November 1935 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Family | War

Tagline:

America's Little Sweetheart . . . The Dimpled Darling You Love in the Greatest of Civil War Dramas !

Plot:

Shirley Temple's father, a rebel officer, sneaks back to his rundown plantation to see his family and is arrested...

Plot Keywords:

Father | Plantation | Troops | Spy | Protection

Cast

Shirley Temple	...	Virginia 'Virgie' Cary
John Boles	...	Capt. Herbert Cary
Jack Holt	...	Col. Morrison
Karen Morley	...	Mrs. Cary
Bill Robinson	...	Uncle Billy
Guinn 'Big Boy' Williams	...	Sgt. Dudley (as Guinn Williams)
Willie Best	...	James Henry
Frank McGlynn Sr.	...	President Abraham Lincoln
Bessie Lyle	...	Mammy Rosabelle
Hannah Washington	...	Sally Ann

Runtime:

70 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Canada:G (Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Quebec) (video rating) (1994) | UK:PG (video rating) (1989) | UK:U (original rating) | Australia:G | USA:PG (1994)

Company:

Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation

Trivia:

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

Quotes:

Virginia 'Virgie' Cary: Uncle Billy, I don't think it was very polite to chase everybody out of my party like that.
Uncle Billy: Their mammies have to take them home quickly. You see, honey child, they's gonna be a war.
Virginia 'Virgie' Cary: What's war?
Uncle Billy: War is a lot of soldiers and battle where men kill each other with guns.
Virginia 'Virgie' Cary: Really and truly kill each other? Why?
Uncle Billy: Seems to me, honey child, no-one knows why. I heard a white gentleman say there's a man up north who wants to free the slaves.
Virginia 'Virgie' Cary: What does that mean? Free the slaves?
Uncle Billy: I don't know what it means myself.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Landlord (1970)

Soundtrack:

Dixie

good story, suspense, heartwarming. Shirley is a wow

I just finished watching this film with my 7 year old daughter and I am utterly astonished at this young girls gifts. Being a "Mr. Mom", I have come to know what a little girl is capable of, mine as well as neighborhood children, and I can say that young Shirley was far more than just exceptional in many ways. This film certainly puts her to the test and she comes through with flying colors. Her beauty is captivating and her natural charm is startling. Her line delivery is perfect. When faced with bad news, watch as she slowly girds herself to receive it. It's as though she truly believes it herself and cannot contain her emotions. When tears finally fly, it's hard to not want to reach through the screen and comfort her, especially when she is pleading her case to President Lincoln.

As a professional musician I am astonished at her near perfect execution of complex syncopated dance routines with Bill Robinson. It is evident that she is really having fun during these numbers and surely was an attentive student. When she sings, her voice, although not a trained voice (thank goodness) is right on pitch. It is a natural, pleasant voice, free of any coaching. She really sings the lyric, (something that most "pro" singers could stand a lesson in) and not just the song. I never really stopped to listen to "Believe me if all these endearing young charms" but her non-treatment forced me to hear it. It's a very touching song.

How I would enjoy a chat with her to pick her brain. She really was a "perfect storm" as child stars go and I will certainly be screening more of her films....for my...AHEM...daughter, of course.