In 1936, the biggest star in Hollywood wasn't Clark Gable, Fred Astaire, William Powell or Greta Garbo. It was Shirley Temple, who allegedly single-handedly rescued Fox studios from bankruptcy. Fox was quick to take advantage of their young star, revamping classic children's stories to make use of her talent.

Poor Little Rich Girl was loosely based on a silent feature from 1917 featuring Mary Pickford. Pickford was 24 years old, but played a character that was only eleven. The story was radically modified to suit Shirley Temple, so that she could sing and dance.

Barbara (Shirley Temple) is the pampered, isolated daughter of widower soap magnate Richard Barry (Michael Whalen). Barbara is now of age to attend school, and is to be taken there by her governess (Sara Haden). Unluckily, the governess is hit by a motorcar, and Barbara is now alone in the big city.

Barbara is continually stalked by a creepy man (John Wray) who assumedly is a child molester. But she is instead provided for, at first by Tony, a kindly Italian-American organ grinder (Henry Armetta). She is promptly discovered by Tony's neighbor Jimmy Dolan (Jack Haley), who along with his wife Jerry (Alice Faye) are struggling vaudeville entertainers.

Barbara soon becomes a singing and dancing (!?) sensation on a radio show owned by curmudgeon Peck (Claude Gillingwater). Peck also happens to run a soap empire, and is the chief business rival of Barry. Peck's secretary is Margaret (Gloria Stuart), who by coincidence is being heavily courted by Barry. A happy ending is in store for all, except for the would-be child molester.

The theme of 'little girl lost' was common to many Temple films, including her best: Wee Willie Winkie, The Little Princess, and The Littlest Rebel. Of course, she is happily reunited with her parent at the end of each of those films.

One difference with Poor Little Rich Girl is that it is a musical. Temple charms her way through seven different songs, which will try the patience of many viewers. I have to admit that I found the songs tiresome, which was not the case for The Littlest Rebel. The difference may have been the latter's Southern flavor, which was preferable to the manufactured craftsmanship of Tin Pan Alley.

Amid all the sweetness and sunshine of the story (even grumpy Peck soon comes around), the characters played by Haden and Wray are incongruous. Haden's horrible death is given slight treatment, providing a grisly excuse for Temple to roam the streets of New York by herself.

Poor Little Rich Girl is charming but trivial fluff. It is a passable and predictable vehicle for Shirley Temple's talents. (44/100)




Recommended: No