The Little Princess
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Movie Reviews of The Little Princess
Movie Review: GOODTIMES DROPPED THE BALL
Summary: 1 Stars
This print is marginal at best. I was diappointed with the washed out look. There has to be a better print out there somewhere for this classic film.Movie Review: Classic Treat For The Whole Family
Summary: 4 Stars
This review refers to the Goodtimes DVD edition of "The Little Princess"(1939)...
At around 10 years old, Shirley Temple, by 1939 was a seasoned veteran. Steadily packing them into the theaters since the early thirties, her performance in "The Little Princess" will bring a tear to your eye and a smile to your face.
Sara Crewe is the daughter of Captain Reginald Crewe. Growing up in her beloved India, she led a life of privilege. Constantly doted on by her loving father, trying to make up for the loss of her mother. When the Captain is called to duty in Africa, Sara is left at an upper-crust school for girls in London. Mrs. Minchin, the snobby head-mistress, treats Sara like a princess, as she knows the money will be rolling in from daddy. But life takes a sudden turn for Sara, her father is reported dead, all the money gone, and poor little Sara must work hard for her keep at the school. She is treated miserably.
Sara knows deep down though, her father is still alive. It's a poignant and heartwarming journey with Shirley, as she takes us on an emotional roller coaster to find him. Directed by Walter Lang, it's a film that has stood the test of time, and a story that may be enjoyed by the enitre family(pretty rare these days).
Shirley does some dance numbers.A delightful one with Arthur Treacher, as they cheer up the wounded soliders in the hospital. And in another beautiful dream sequence, a ballet. Adding to the story is the romance of two teachers that are pulled apart by the evil Miss Minchin. The cast speaks for itself. Ian Hunter, Richard Green, Cesar Romero, Anita Louise, Mary Nash, and the above mentioned Treacher are wonderful.
This DVD by Goodtimes is a real bargain. Don't expect a Criterion-like transfer of this 65 year old film, but a very decent and enjoyable view. The film is not pristeen. It is a bit on the scratchy side, but a very nice picture, in technicolor. The sound is very good. Always clear and distinguishable. Other then some Biographical notes on Temple there are no other special features. There are no subtitles or captions.
Go back in time and enjoy this classic treat with the whole family....Laurie
Movie Review: Painful
Summary: 1 Stars
This movie is nothing like the book. Some of the names are the same. The book is about a girl who loses everything and overcomes to become better because of it. This movie is about a spoiled brat. You must remember that both "A Little Princess" and "The Secret Garden" are a retelling of the author's life story. While the author changed several things to make it interesting the underlying theme was dear to her heart and the reader is able to feel the emotion that was poured into the pages of those books. The script for "The Little Princess" does not have that feeling. In fact, we are given the impression that people call Sara The Little Princess because she pouts when she doesn't get her way. In the book, Sara believes that she should try to act like what she thinks a princess should act like, even when bad things happen. This does not change the fact that she has feelings, but she struggles to control them because that is what a princess must do. In the end she is blessed with the wealth of a princess, but it is not until after she has proven her worth.Movie Review: A candidate for a restoration
Summary: 1 Stars
The Little Princess remains one of my favorite childhood movie memories. Finding the DVD version was simple enough. I was unaware of how widely the quality varied between the different versions available. The first version I purchased from a Canadian group was horrible. This DVD presentation was reasonable but not striking. The image was grainy and lacked that "Technicolor" brilliance I had hoped for. All of the DVD and VHS versions seem to be made from one film transfer made from an old print. The color rendering is poor. Some scenes appear almost Black and White. Unlike "The WIzard of Oz" or "The Secret Garden" I don't think this was intentional. This version is not transfered from Technicolor stock. I wonder if it was even made from 35 millimeter film. The quality if any in this DVD is from some digital processing available to old video. It does not appear a flying spot scanner or any film restoration equipment was used to create this DVD. The only really nice color image was the cover of the DVD package. I wish someone could find the real Technicolor masters, either the negative or positive film. If you were going to restore one Shirley Temple work, this film would be the one. It is a classic of the time with a glimpse at that time. And Shirley Temple was good in this film. You wipe tears away from your eyes at least twice. And Temple sings a great little song. Did I mention she dances a little too.Movie Review: watch the remake, please?
Summary: 1 Stars
This is one of those few times when I like a remake better than the original of a motion picture. I'll confess that, based on this movie, I'm not a Shirley Temple fan (her voice alone is annoying, not to mention her acting ability). She is utterly unconvincing as Sara Crew, and that American accent! Please, can we stop making movies of British literature where all the characters except the main one are truly British? I know this is done so as to appease and appeal to the idiots on our side of the pond, but really, are we so uncultured and stupid, not to mension spoiled, that we won't watch a movie unless it has at least one American actor playing a prominent role? If I had to choose between these two movies, I'd definitely see the 1990's version of this one; at least there, all the characters are Americanized, so one doesn't stick out like a sore thumb. Lisel Matthews' performance is enchanting, and the movie all around is delightful.