The Littlest Rebel (1935)

Spun Sugar

A sweet, heart-warming film about a brave little girl who remains cheerful and optimistic despite her tragic circumstances. It's like watching a children's version of Gone With The Wind, and possibly one of Shirley's best performances. An interesting footnote: the movie does not openly proclaim in which region of the Confederacy it takes place, but there are plenty of hints for the observant:
1) Shirely's character name is "Virgie," short for Virginia.
2) An opening scene depicts tobacco fields.
3) Virgie's father crosses back and forth between enemy lines throughout the movie, hinting at a hotly contested region.
4) There are several references to Gen. Lee--who served mostly in Virginia.
5) Mr. Cary states that he wishes to take Virgie to stay with her aunt in nearby Richmond. August 15, 2008

Charming but substantive

This one is full of the famous Shirley Temple charm, and Bill Robinson's unequaled tap routines, against the backdrop of the South at the outbreakof the Civil War. The part played by Mr. Robinson is played with dignity. The story line is well written and the supporting cast is excellent. This one and Heidi are my personal favorites. March 11, 2008

"The Littlest Rebel (1935) ... Shirley Temple ... 20th Century Fox (2006)"

20th Century Fox presents "THE LITTLEST REBEL" (released: 22 November 1935) (73mins) (B&W/Color Versions) - Under David Butler (Director), Buddy G. DeSylva (Producer), Edwin H. Burke (Screenwriter), Edward H. Peple (Play Author), Harry Tugend (Screenwriter), John F. Seitz -(Cinematographer), Cyril Mockridge (Musical Direction/Supervision), Irene Morra (Editor), William S. Darling (Art Director), Thomas K. Little (Set Designer), Gwen Wakeling (Costume Designer) - - - - our plot line takes place during the Civil War. Shirley Temple plays Virginia Cary, a young girl who lives in the south with her parents --- Her father is called to the Confederate Army, and tries to sneak back to visit his family --- He's arrested, and a Yankee arranges an escape, but it doesn't work, and they are both arrested and sentenced to death --- But Virginia and Uncle Billy (Bill 'Bojangles' Robinson) a friend of Virginia's, goes to visit President Lincoln and begs him to intervene --- gotta love it when Shirley and Robinson sing "Polly Wolly Doodle" --- take all of in when they do that dance during the scene to make money to see President Lincoln, steps were in sync --- as always another happy ending with Shirley leading the way.

the cast includes:
Shirley Temple ... Ms. 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
Willie Best ... James Henry
Frank McGlynn Sr. ... President Abraham Lincoln
Bessie Lyle ... Mammy Rosabelle
Hannah Washington ... Sally Ann

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: 73 mins on DVD ~ 20th Century Fox. ~ (3/21/2006) August 13, 2007

Temple at the top of her game

One of Shirley Temple's first movies for the newly-amalgamated Twentieth Century-Fox Pictures in 1935 was THE LITTLEST REBEL (based on an earlier play by Edward Peple).

Set in the South during the Civil War, THE LITTLEST REBEL gave audiences another chance to enjoy Temple in a similarly-themed story to "The Little Colonel" (released earlier in 1935 to great acclaim).

In THE LITTLEST REBEL, Shirley Temple plays spunky little Virginia Carey--known as Virgie to her friends. Dearly loved by everybody, Virgie accidentally causes untold tragedy for her father (John Boles), a Confederate soldier, when he's caught sneaking through enemy territory in a bid to see his ill wife (Karen Morley). It looks like curtains for Virgie's Pa, until the enterprising moppet decides to take matters into her own hands...

Temple is reunited with her "Curly Top" co-star John Boles, plus Bill "Bojangles" Robinson. Karen Morley and Jack Holt also turn in fine support. The score includes "Polly-Wolly Doodle", "Believe Me", and "Dixie".

The DVD includes both B&W and computer-colourised versions of the film. May 11, 2007

Cute Shirley Temple Charms North and South

Critics and analysts have used reams of paper to describe the Shirley Temple phenomenon. To summarize that analysis: Shirley Temple appealed to a nation going through economic upheavals because of her cheery disposition and general cuteness. This movie may have its flaws, but Shirley's sunny disposition and a wonderful tap dance performance by Bill "Bojangles" Robinson with Shirley make this movie one to watch for fans of Shirley and Bojangles.

The plot is relatively thin. Virginia "Virgie" Cary's (Temple) father is Confederate Captain Herbert Cary (played by John Boles). Captain Boles is a daring scout who successfully penetrates federal lines to gain valuable information.

Virgie and her mother Mrs. Cary (Karen Morley) live on the Cary plantation with their slaves. The plantation appears to be near the edge of the Confederacy as Yankees make regular appearances. Virgie, her mother and the plantation slaves lead a relatively good life until a battle destroys the plantation house and exposure to the elements causes Mrs. Cary to become ill. Uncle Billy (Bojangles Robinson) heads off to retrieve Captain Cary, traveling with him through federal pickets.

Captain Cary attempts to take Virgie to his sister in Richmond with the aid of Yankee Colonel Morrison (Jack Holt), but Captain Cary is caught and both Cary and Morrison are tried for spying and treason. After a trial and appeal, both are scheduled to be executed in days. Only one chance remains, and that is an appeal to a court in Washington, D.C.

Will Virgie and Uncle Billy be able to raise enough money to get to Washington? Once they get there, will they be able to convince the court that both men are innocent? Will they be able to do all this in time? Will any of this stop Shirley Temple and Bojangles from dancing and singing? Will any of this stop Shirley Temple from being cute? A viewer will need to watch and discover these answers for themselves!

This movie was intended as light entertainment. It succeeds. Shirley is cute, regardless of the circumstances. Shirley and Bojangles put on incredible dance performances. Even more incredible considering that Shirley was about six or seven years old at the time. Bojangles put tap dance into public view and gained his own fame by starring with Shirley Temple.

Some critics point to the inaccurate portrayal of slaves. The criticism is valid. The movie was stereotypical. We know that slavery was an institution that continues to be an embarrassment to our country. However, the movie was a product of its time. Accept the movie for what it is rather than an endorsement of slavery. Note that Uncle Billy is intelligent and incredibly brave. He is also the most talented person in the movie.

Shirley Temple movies remain enjoyable, light entertainment. The plots are simple and rely mostly on Shirley and her cuteness and in the case of this movie, the talent of Bill Robinson. They succeed in their goal of entertaining us. Shirley Temple fans and fans of Bill "Bojangles" Robinson need this movie for their collection.

Enjoy!
December 4, 2006

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