Bright Eyes (1934)

Shirley Temple, the original dancing baby, sings her signature song, "On the Good Ship Lollipop," in this heart-rending drama, one of eight films she made in 1934 (!) at the ripe age of 6, and for which she was honored with a special pint-sized Academy Award. Temple stars as Shirley, the curly-headed "gosh, oh gee"-adorable mascot to a group of aviators since her pilot father "cracked up and went to heaven." Get out your handkerchiefs when Shirley's mother is also killed, setting up a custody battle between the nasty, highfalutin Joy Smythe's curmudgeon uncle Ned; Loop, another pilot; and the society girl who once left Loop grounded at the altar.

Temple's movies are today marketed as children's films, but, like the classic Warner Bros. cartoons, they were made for adults. Her plucky, indomitable spirit helped America get through the Depression. She's perky and precocious to beat the band, but she suffers so on the way to the inevitable happy ending. When she gushes, "It's the best day I've ever had in my whole life," you know tragedy is imminent.

In Bright Eyes she is also at the mercy of bratty Smythe (scene-stealing Jane Withers), a pint-sized tantrum-throwing terror who makes Linda Blair in The Exorcist look like a Teletubbie. A further parental advisory in these politically correct times: Joy's eagerly awaited comeuppance is a real slap in the face. --Donald Liebenson Amazon.com essential video

A Nice Change for the New Generation

My three grandchildren thoroughly enjoyed "meeting" Shirley Temple via the film, "Bright Eyes". They're all singing the song "On the Good Ship Lollipop" Jackie Jackowitz, Andover, New Jersey February 12, 2008

charming Temple vehicle

Shirley Temple shines in her starring role as Shirley Blake in Bright Eyes. Only six years old when the film was made, Temple stole the hearts of millions of Americans and provided them with great entertainment to get people through the hard times of the depression.

The action begins when Shirley is hitchhiking to the local airport so she can spend time with her godfather James 'Loop' Merritt (James Dunn). Once Shirley arrives at the airport it becomes clear that she's the little darling of all the aviators there. They even plan a Christmas party especially just for Shirley! Unfortunately, things aren't going well for Shirley's widowed mother, Mary Blake (Lois Wilson). She works as a maid for the snobby and snotty well off Anita and J. Wellington Smythe (Dorothy Christy and Theodore von Eltz, respectively). Even their spoiled brat daughter Joy (Jane Withers) treats Shirley like dirt. Through it all, however, Shirley stays focused on the good things in her life like "Loop" and her mother.

Things change fast when Shirley's mother dies unexpectedly. A custody battle quickly ensues. The crusty, rich old uncle of the Smythe's, Ned Smith (Charles Sellon) shows his softie inner self when he becomes determined to adopt Shirley Blake for himself. He knows Shirley is the only person who loves him; the Smythe's just humor Ned Smith to stay in Ned Smith's will. On the other hand, "Loop," Shirley's godfather, wants Shirley so badly that even in a bad storm he takes off in his plane for New York to earn money for the court battle.

Of course, the plot has a few twists and turns--although nothing terribly radical ensues. Who will win the custody battle at the end of the court scene? What about Joy Smythe--will she succeed at hurting Shirley's feelings--and pushing Shirley down during their game of "train wreck?" Will the Smythe's be able to talk Ned Smith into letting Shirley go to a home for orphaned children? What about "Loop" in his plane during that fantastic storm--will he make it to New York safely? Watch the movie and find out!

The choreography works well in crowded scenes including the courtroom scene and the scene in which Shirley sings "On The Good Ship Lollipop." The cinematography shines in scenes during the storm when "Loop" flies in plane in bad weather.

The DVD offers you a choice between watching this film in black or white or a colorized version. There are three trailers for other Shirley Temple movies but that's about it.

Overall, Bright Eyes truly made Shirley Temple the star that she remains today. I highly recommend this film for Shirley Temple fans; it is a good, solid family film. James Dunn turns in a stunning performance as "Loop," Shirley's godfather; and look for some great acting by a very young Jane Withers as Joy Smythe, too.

Enjoy!
October 7, 2007

"Bright Eyes (1934) ... Shirley Temple ... 20th Century Fox (2005)"

20th Century Fox present "BRIGHT EYES" (released: 28 December 1934) (84 mins) (B&W/Color Versions) - Under David Butler (Director / Screenwriter), Sol Wurtzel (Producer), Edwin H. Burke (Screenwriter), William Conselman (Screenwriter), Arthur C. Miller (Cinematographer) - - - - One of Shirley Temple's best movies is stolen by an absolutely riotous performance by Jane Withers as Temple's bratty nemesis-the mean rich kid who picks on poor,noble motherless Shirley ---.Worth seeing if you haven't seen a Shirley Temple film --- And this was one of the major hits of the 1930's featuring Hollywood's smallest and biggest star Shirley Temple plays an orphan caught up in a custody battle --- Shirley worships a daredevil pilot (James Dunn) and through the course of the movie gets the chance to sing and make immortal "On the Good Ship Lollipop" --- Also in the steadfast cast are: Jane Darwell, Judith Allen, Charles Sellon and probably the show stealer Jane Withers --- Withers is the perfect rich brat to be mean to the poor little orphan(Temple) --- One of the better projects of the busy little "curly top".

the cast includes:
Shirley Temple ... Shirley Blake
James Dunn ... James 'Loop' Merritt
Jane Darwell ... Mrs. Elizabeth Higgins
Judith Allen ... Adele Martin
Lois Wilson ... Mary Blake
Charles Sellon ... Uncle Ned Smith
Walter Johnson ... Thomas, Chauffeur
Jane Withers ... Joy Smythe
Theodore von Eltz ... J. Wellington Smythe (as Theodor von Eltz)
Dorothy Christy ... Anita Smythe
Brandon Hurst ... Higgins
George Irving ... Judge Thompson

BIOS:
1. Shirley Temple
Date of Birth: 23 April 1928 - Santa Monica, California
Date of Death: Still Living

If you enjoyed this film, check out 20th Century Fox present "The Shirley Temple - America's Sweetheart Collection, Vol. 1" (Heidi/Curly Top/Little Miss Broadway) (Fully Restored/Dolby Digitally Remastered) --- now in COLOR and Glorious Black and White --- In 2004, Shirley Temple teamed with Legend Films to restore, colorize and release her earliest black and white films, as well as episodes of her 1960 television series, The Shirley Temple Storybook Collection --- a patented coloring and remastering process makes her picture perfect charm more vivd than ever --- no one can resist Shirley's charm in all her heart warming films.

Hats off and thanks to Barry B. Sandrew Ph.D. (Founder, COO & CTO) and his Legend Films Staff --- looking forward to more high quality releases from the vintage era of the '20s, '30s & '40s --- order your copy now from Amazon where there are plenty of copies available on DVD --- if you enjoyed this title, why not check out Legend Films where they are experts in releasing long forgotten films and treasures to the collector --- all my heroes have been cowboys!

Total Time: 84 mins on DVD ~ 20th Century Fox. ~ (11/22/2005) August 12, 2007

ONE OF MY FAVORITE TEMPLE FILMS

This is an early Shirley that is hard to resist. The movies features Shirley singing "On the Good Ship Lolli Pop" and shows off her talents as a very young actress. There are only a hand full of her films that I will always remember and this is one of them. Heidi,Curly Top and The Little Colonel were the others. The DVD has both Black and White and Colorized version. I am not a fan of colorizing anything,but since they kept the original intact, I did enjoy watching both. March 26, 2007

Next generation of Shirley Temple watchers

My three-year old daughter was recently dancing around and someone told her she looked like Shirley Temple. Of course, she kept asking me who Shirley Temple was. I showed her photos on the internet and decided to get her "Bright Eyes" because I knew it had the song "On the Good Ship Lollipop." What's nice about this DVD is that you have the option of watching it in black and white or color. My daughter often asks to watch "the gray one"!!! It's a cute movie but obviously dated. But a good movie to introduce the young ones to Shirley Temple. November 6, 2006

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