Blue Bird
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Movie Reviews of Blue Bird
Movie Review: The Blue Bird
Summary: 5 Stars
As a small child I remember seeing this lesser-known movie, and it so impressed me that I wanted our small grandchildren to see it. I hadn't seen it since then, so I watched it again to make sure it was as I remembered. I know that when our "grands" come soon, they will enjoy it as much as I did years ago. Shirley Temple was magical little child, and the story line is unusual for a Shirley Temple movie in that it is a fantasy tale. I heartily recommend it for small children!Movie Review: Much, much better than The Wizard of Oz
Summary: 4 Stars
Why the Wiz. of Oz is counted a classic while this one is brushed aside is beyond me. This one has so much more depth and reality - it's not just some light repetitive annoying vehicle for Technicolour. Here I feel the colour is very wisely used - there are no garish slippers or yellow brick roads, just a lot of understated hues and excellent lighting. The cast is superb though. The people who play Tylo and Tylette (the dog and cat, respectively, in human form) are perfect. I couldn't get over how very catty Gale Sondergaard was. The way she walked, talked, glanced about, touched her hair, lounged around... She had some pretty incredible talent. I did feel some sympathy for her (or was it myself?) when she got trapped in the forest... because she was so much fun to watch! I don't like dogs, so Tylo didn't make such an impression on me, but he did do a very good job.
Shirley as Mytil and the little boy as Tyltyl were also well done and I thought their acting was very good, personally. The Luxuries were very strange.
And I can't help but put in a word for the Light-Lady, who was very gentle and beautiful and had a lovely voice to guide the children with, as well as her luminous gown.
The costumes were astounding, the sets very elaborate and well-done. I guess I can't say enough good things about this movie. I just really liked it.
Oh, I should say though that the forest fire sequence is pretty frightening and that it might be a good idea to watch this before letting children see it... feel it out for yourself, of course, but I just thought that it was pretty intense and a bit much for young children.
Well, I think that is all I should say. Watch this for yourself and enjoy it as much as I did.
Movie Review: Totally Charming Classic With Shirley Temple Excellent In A Very Different Kind Of Role
Summary: 5 Stars
Attacked by critics and a failure at the Box Office at the time of it's release in 1940 "The Blue Bird" has with time been redeemed and is now quite rightly viewed as a classic film of it's time containing one of Shirley Temple's most interesting performances. The public and critical indifference to the film at the time of its release had alot to do with the fact that Hollywood's formerly adorable moppet and sweetheart of the depression years was now playing a selfish young girl who is only reformed near the conclusion of the story and also because film's less upbeat story suffered when inevitably compared with "The Wizard of Oz" released just the year before. I truly love this film with its strong message of appreciating what we actually have in our lives as opposed to always thinking other things are better. Shirley Temple I believe, has never been better than in this slightly older more serious role made just as she was unfortunately slipping from being Hollywood's number one attraction at the Box Office. This film's failure, combined with Shirley's declining popularity finally broke the long string of successes Twentieth Century Fox had enjoyed through the 1930's with Shirley Temple films and after one more unsuccesful release with "Young People", also in 1940 the reign of Shirley Temple as the Box Office Queen of Hollywood was definately over forever.
Certainly the "The Blue Bird" lacks the great songs and show bizzy appeal ...but its theme is a much more serious one with indeed many morbid qualities to it. I believe the two should be viewed as totally separate. ...The whole production is a ravishing feast for the eyes. The sumptous sets, gorgeous color and the costumnes make this film a sight for the eyes. Never has there been a more lavish Shirley Temple film. The graveyard scenes are very eerie and very well done and when Temple along with her younger brother played by child actor Johnny Russell visit the land of luxury the sets are unbelievably beautiful . Nigel Bruce and Laure Hope Crews lend their considerable talents to the scenes in the land of luzury and Gale Sondergaard makes a deliciously wicked Cat.The film , despite the two young children starting off as selfish individuals, has many touching moments in particular when they visit their long dead grand parents. It is a very beautiful scene which stresses the importance of family ties even after death and it never fails to move me.The special effects in the film of the great forest fire, people being turned into animals etc are top notch and give "The Blue Bird" a magical quality that can be enjoyed by all.I think it is a film that should be in all lovers of family films collections. ...I think you will love "The Blue Bird" even if you aren't a fan of Shirley Temple but just love lavish well made classics from Hollwood's golden age when such things were done so well and with so much care.
Movie Review: The Blue Bird with Shirley Temple
Summary: 5 Stars
Since Shirley Temple has been a favorite most of my life. I like all of her pictures. This is one of the first films of hers that I purchased. The scenes about the babies and children being designated to go to earth were extremely helpful when we lost our daughter's full family (5) in a house fire. They were only lent to us for a while! I recommend everyone to view this because we never know what tomorrow will bring! I know they are in Heaven now and this is an easy way to explain it to children.Movie Review: Fox's answer to MGM's "Wizard" falls short
Summary: 2 Stars
20th Century-Fox rushed this fairy tale to the screen following the success of MGM's "Wizard of Oz". Shirley Temple was turned down for Dorothy and Fox wanted to cash in on the reinvigorated fantasy genre. However, Fox had neither the time, talent and resources to rival MGM's classic.Temple's character is too unlikeable for any connection with the audience, and the fairy tale atmosphere is too heavy handed. Even the switch from Black and White to color is abrupt and without the nuance of the transition in "Wizard".
One note: with all the talk of Christmas in the film, why is there a menorah in the children's bedroom?
Beautiful color and costumes cannot save this "turkey" (oops, I meant to say "bird")