Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm (1938)

Let's be realistic.

Film Perfection

I am only giving this movie a 1 for the great cast, though I can't imagine what any of them were thinking. This movie was horrible

A story that's too fascinating to pass by...

This is one of the better and more entertaining Shirley Temple pics, although it has virtually nothing to do with the children's book on which it was supposedly based.For starters, there's a dandy cast here. Temple is not a baby anymore, and her wide ranging talents really were quite impressive for a child of 10. Randolph Scott is good here as a radio advertising executive who discovers Rebecca; Scott had made quite a few films before this, but his best years were still in the future. William Demarest is usually an asset to almost any film, as he was here. He provides some comic relief, even as the "bad guy" stepfather. Helen Westley is fine as the owner of the farm and the aunt of Rebecca, although it would have been good if they had developed her character a bit more in the first half of the film so we would know that she loved Rebecca. Gloria Stuart is the primary love interest here, although most movie-goers will remember her better as the old lady in "Titanic". Bill (Bojangles) Robinson plays a farm hand. His role in the first half of the film is negligible, but that is more than made up for with the memorable dancing on the stairs number in the second half of the film. Slim Summerville is cool -- as always -- as the aunt's old sweetheart who jilted her, and adds more comic relief to the film. Jack Haley is pleasant as a radio performer, and while underrated for most of his career is well remembered as the Tin Man in "The Wizard Of Oz".I mentioned above that there is a part 1 and part 2 of this film. What I mean is that the first half of the film is about getting Rebecca into show business. And, it's quite a satisfying tale in and of itself. But then the stepfather returns, takes her away, and the second half of the film is about getting her back to her aunt and Sunnybrook Farm.All things considered, this is a nice little film. Look, however, for the goof -- how can a girl on her first radio show sing her greatest hits???

A pleasant if not brilliant Shirley Temple vehicle, the young actress shines as the charming Rebecca and she sings quite well too. The film itself is formulaic and very predictable with typical characters, but it nevertheless does the job reasonably well, providing an opportunity for Temple to display her talents as and actress and as a singer. The songs are a delight to listen too as well. The main setback for the film is the amateurish editing - at least three or four times continuity is broken by the presence of jump cuts - however this can easily be ignored in light of the charms of the film. It supposedly is not faithful to the source material, but as a film on its own, it does fine.

Shirley Temple definitely deserved some of her popularity after this tailor-made vehicle. The film is as adorable as the young star. It follows Rebecca (Temple) as she tries to fulfill her dream of singing on a popular radio show. She does this with the help of a few adult friends who compliment Temple perfectly. Temple herself, shines in this film. Singing, dancing and acting she shows a natural talent for performing and clearly enjoys herself with this film. All in all I would recommend this film to anyone. It might not be the best Shirley Temple film but it will keep you entertained all the way through and the enchanting lead will captivate you.

A frantic radio producer must find the perfect Little Miss America for an advertiser's national program. He discovers her in his country neighbor, REBECCA OF SUNNYBROOK FARM, an incredibly talented & precocious moppet, who proceeds to charm all around her & bring happiness into the lives of those who love her.Little Shirley Temple turns in another crowd-pleasing performance in this pleasant family film - which bears almost no resemblance to the Kate Douglas Wiggin classic. It's easy to see why the little tyke was Hollywood's top star for years. Her smile & vivacity are still stunning decades later.This time Shirley is surrounded by a plethora of male talent: rugged Randolph Scott, giving a slightly wooden performance no doubt caused by the chagrin of playing second fiddle to a ten-year-old; peppy Jack Haley, always eager to please; veteran William Demerest, displaying some of his best pratfalls; laconic comic Slim Summerville, the unlikeliest lover; flustered Franklin Pangborn, as a very nervous organist; and the great Bill `Bojangles' Robinson, given distressingly little to do in his role as a farmhand - until the film's final moments when he gets to shine in a tap routine with Shirley.Helen Westley is great fun as grumpy Aunt Miranda; lovely Gloria Stuart is given little to do except look, well, lovely.That's champion character actress Eily Malyon as the Reverend's cake-eating wife. Movie mavens will recognize old Clarence Wilson as a shyster attorney.Shirley sings `An Old Straw Hat' & `Come And Get Your Happiness', as well as a medley of her past hits.Query: Why do film makers think radio audiences are thrilled by listening to tap dancing? In films like this you don't ask questions like that.