Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm (1938)

Director:

Allan Dwan

Writers:

Kate Douglas Wiggin (novel) and
Don Ettlinger (writer)

Release Date:

18 March 1938 (USA)

Genre:

Family | Comedy | Drama | Musical

Plot:

Rebecca's Uncle Harry leaves her with Aunt Miranda who forbids her to associate with show people. But...

Plot Keywords:

Talent Scout | Orphan | Radio | Affection | Beautiful Woman

Cast

Shirley Temple	...	Rebecca Winstead
Randolph Scott	...	Tony Kent
Jack Haley	...	Orville Smithers
Gloria Stuart	...	Gwen Warren
Phyllis Brooks	...	Lola Lee
Helen Westley	...	Aunt Miranda Wilkins
Slim Summerville	...	Homer Busby
Bill Robinson	...	Aloysius
Raymond Scott	...	Leader of Musical Ensemble (as Raymond Scott Quintet)
Alan Dinehart	...	Purvis
J. Edward Bromberg	...	Doctor Hill
Dixie Dunbar	...	Receptionist
Paul Hurst	...	Mug
William Demarest	...	Harry Kipper
Ruth Gillette	...	Melba

Runtime:

80 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:G | Finland:S

Filming Locations:

Santa Catalina Island, Channel Islands, California, USA

Company:

Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation

Trivia:

The title is taken from a book by Kate Douglas Wiggin, but outside of the character of Aunt Miranda and the plot element of Rebecca coming to live with her aunt, the film has absolutely nothing in common with the book.

Quotes:

Harry Kipper: Are you sure you got that song right?
Rebecca Winstead: Uncle Harry, I'm awfully hungry.
Harry Kipper: Not so loud. We'll be eating regular as soon as I hand these guys the old one-two.
Rebecca Winstead: The last time you gave someone the old one-two, you came home with a black eye.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Hidden Hollywood: Treasures from the 20th Century Fox Film Vaults (1997) (TV)

Soundtrack:

You've Gotta Eat Your Spinach, Baby

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

REBECCA OF SUNNYBROOK FARM owes whatever charm it has to its leading lady (SHIRLEY TEMPLE was still the number one box-office attraction in America) and a modest but pleasing supporting cast. However, it's obvious that nobody paid much attention to the original story and what we're left with is a rather threadbare story mixing Shirley with her show biz talent background. And along the way, Bill Robinson gets lost in the shuffle of background characters, with only William Demarest enlivening the proceedings with his pratfalls and Helen Westley with her grumpy old maid. Edna May Oliver must have been busy.

Aside from the star, GLORIA STUART does nicely as a leading lady for RANDOLPH SCOTT--the two make a handsome pair. Stuart never got her big break in these sort of films but was certainly a stunning blonde in her day with very fine features. Scott seems a little standoffish, not cast in his regular western mode, perhaps even a little uncomfortable in his scenes with Shirley.

Shirley has a change of hairdo (away with all those curls) but just to make sure her audience won't pine for the good old days, she delivers some of her old song numbers with customary ease. It has to be noted, though, that her singing voice (although on key) was always very slight indeed. She fares much better in the few tap routines she does, always with that big smile and cheery presence.

Not one of the best Temple films, but OK. Franklin Pangborn is fun as a nervous stand-in who gets his big chance and blows it.