PamelaShort
As you have probably guessed by now, Shirley Temple is the shining light in this rather hum-drum musical comedy. Composer, songwriter, producer Jay Gorney was ecstatic with his prized find, after auditioning close to 150 little girls for this picture. Shirley Temple was exactly what was needed to add some sparkle. As she was rushed into the production, the studio decided to save time, by having Shirley Temple teach James Dunn the dance routines she already knew, rather than teaching her something different. For the next five working days, she and Dunn rehearsed their routine between the few non-musical scenes she had to do. Finally, after lunch one day they were ready to film her song and dance with Dunn. Upon leaving the studio commissary with her mother, an excited Shirley skipped down the stairs, and slipped, falling head first onto the red-brick paving. A small cut on her forehead began oozing blood, a cold compress was immediately applied, but the lump grew larger as the ice melted. Filming was due to start, in desperation Mrs. Temple pulled one of her loose curls across the bump and plastered it down as a spit curl. It did the job, and after that it would always be fifty-six curls and one spit curl. "Stand Up And Cheer" was the big break Mrs.Temple had been waiting for and Shirley Temple was now on her way to becoming the biggest child star of all times.
mark.waltz
A pointless attempt at a feel good musical has the silly premise of a secretary of amusement to cheer the struggling people of the depression. It sort of feels like giving a death row inmate ribeye steak just before pulling the switch. The highlights are the production numbers which includes Shirley Temple and James Dunn performing "Baby Take a Bow", the name of their next movie. "Broadway's Gone Hillbillv", which emulates "Oklahoma!" more than "Li'l Abner" in spite of some snazzy choreography. Warner Baxter basically repeats the same role he played in "42nd Street". Those hoping for a Shirley Temple movie will be sorely disappointed. She has the one musical number, a brief scene and a close-up in the special effects filled finale. A truly tacky scene has Stepin Fetchit confused by a talking penguin who sounds like Jimmy Durante. Aunt Jemima also makes a cameo appearance in the opening musical number. If it wasn't for the camp element, this would rank as a pointless, sometimes tacky bore.
maurylovesoldhollyw
I just watched this movie again, and I think it is wonderful. Shirley Temple is adorable, as always. Madge Evans is terrific. She was way underrated as an actress. She was so good in so many films; Dinner at Eight , Beauty For Sale, and Mayor of Hell are a few that come to mind. Warner Baxter is good, but his role does not offer him the acting opportunity that 42nd Street did , one year earlier.As for Stepin Fetchit, he is marvelous!!! The man was a comic genius. I rate him as good as Stan Laurel. People nowadays keep stressing the stereotypes of minorities in old films. That's true, but even so, actors like Fetchit displayed great talent. And didn't most comedians, of any color, play stereotypical roles? Silliness has always been a source of comedy, whether it was performed by Stepin Fetchit, Stan Laurel, Cary Grant, or Willie Fung. I love the musical numbers! They are upbeat, and happy. my favorite one is not Baby, Take A Bow, but Broadway's Gone Hillbilly. I think that The Picken Sisters sing in this number, although they are not listed in the cast.
Neil Doyle
Only the scene featuring SHIRLEY TEMPLE singing the title tune is worth watching. Othersise, this has got to be one of the worst musicals ever to come out of the '30s.The script is a mess, the editing is downright atrocious, the performances are flat, and nothing to keep your eyes open happens until Shirley bursts upon the screen with James Dunn and chorines in one of her most charming song-and-dance routines.Believe me, the rest is worthless as entertainment and not even satisfying as a curiosity piece of the Depression era.Let's face it. Shirley Temple became a star despite this mess of a movie and all because of one great number.
AD
