TheBlueHairedLawyer
Watching this was like watching a Shirley Temple Lifetime movie, or a less bratty version of 'Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?'. It follows the childhood of young actress Shirley Temple as she makes her way to the top of the line by tap dancing at the age of five. Emily Hart was amazing, I doubt anyone could've portrayed Temple any better, but the movie seemed to stretch on despite solid acting performances. The soundtrack was next to null and the plot froze at some parts, making them longer than they needed to be. Still, this movie shows the underlying corruption in the world of child actors (Drew Barrymore and the Olsen Twins went through it and came out as twisted, spoiled brats). There were many powerful scenes in this movie, it's not the best but it passes the time if you're looking for something interesting to watch while cleaning or studying or something.
Ahksehl
Totally dreadful movie. The worst part is Connie Britton's portrayal of Gertrude Temple. She sleepwalks through this movie as if she is in a trance. Her "soothing calmness" becomes terribly grating after awhile to the point where I quit half way through the film. Ashley Rose does a tepid portrayal of Shirley Temple. The only interesting "drama" in this picture was how Fox studios was struggling to pay the bank, otherwise, Shirley's success is portrayed as being effortless . This just makes it all very boring, even nauseating.Combine that nausea with the trance like monotone of Britton's and you get something that becomes unbearable.
dcgenesis
I love Shirley Temple and tried to sit through this movie. I could not get past the fact that Orr (the actress playing Shirley) was eleven playing a five year old. To me the reason Shirley was so successful was because she was so young and small and able to act as well as any adult.To see an eleven year old do something a five year old did was not impressive or entertaining. I know there is only one Shirley Temple but couldn't casting find a smaller younger looking actress? Watching Orr costumed in the short, short dresses that were so adorable on Shirley was truly cringe inducing. Orr was almost as tall as some of her costars making the movie laughable at best and an insult to Shirley at worst.
A M Boyd
I just happened to tune into this movie on Lifetime yesterday. I was bowled over. It was wonderful! The child actress that plays Shirley was magnificent. The scenes with the actor that played Bill Robinson (Bo Jangles) and little Shirley dancing up and down the staircase just made me cry. And the actress that played Gertrude Temple - she was fabulous! The fact this movie could have been so syrupy sweet, but was straight to the point kept me watching. I especially liked the actor that played John Ford; and the Lionel Barrymore actor.....that quote he spews when little Shirley makes peace with him, "Are you a 50-year old midget?", during the filming of the "The Littlest Rebel". Great. Just plain great! This is a movie anyone of any age can watch and love.
AD
