The Littlest Rebel
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Movie Reviews of The Littlest Rebel
Movie Review: Cute Shirley Temple Charms North and South
Summary: 4 Stars
Critics and analysts have used reams of paper to describe the Shirley Temple phenomenon. To summarize that analysis: Shirley Temple appealed to a nation going through economic upheavals because of her cheery disposition and general cuteness. This movie may have its flaws, but Shirley's sunny disposition and a wonderful tap dance performance by Bill "Bojangles" Robinson with Shirley make this movie one to watch for fans of Shirley and Bojangles.
The plot is relatively thin. Virginia "Virgie" Cary's (Temple) father is Confederate Captain Herbert Cary (played by John Boles). Captain Boles is a daring scout who successfully penetrates federal lines to gain valuable information.
Virgie and her mother Mrs. Cary (Karen Morley) live on the Cary plantation with their slaves. The plantation appears to be near the edge of the Confederacy as Yankees make regular appearances. Virgie, her mother and the plantation slaves lead a relatively good life until a battle destroys the plantation house and exposure to the elements causes Mrs. Cary to become ill. Uncle Billy (Bojangles Robinson) heads off to retrieve Captain Cary, traveling with him through federal pickets.
Captain Cary attempts to take Virgie to his sister in Richmond with the aid of Yankee Colonel Morrison (Jack Holt), but Captain Cary is caught and both Cary and Morrison are tried for spying and treason. After a trial and appeal, both are scheduled to be executed in days. Only one chance remains, and that is an appeal to a court in Washington, D.C.
Will Virgie and Uncle Billy be able to raise enough money to get to Washington? Once they get there, will they be able to convince the court that both men are innocent? Will they be able to do all this in time? Will any of this stop Shirley Temple and Bojangles from dancing and singing? Will any of this stop Shirley Temple from being cute? A viewer will need to watch and discover these answers for themselves!
This movie was intended as light entertainment. It succeeds. Shirley is cute, regardless of the circumstances. Shirley and Bojangles put on incredible dance performances. Even more incredible considering that Shirley was about six or seven years old at the time. Bojangles put tap dance into public view and gained his own fame by starring with Shirley Temple.
Some critics point to the inaccurate portrayal of slaves. The criticism is valid. The movie was stereotypical. We know that slavery was an institution that continues to be an embarrassment to our country. However, the movie was a product of its time. Accept the movie for what it is rather than an endorsement of slavery. Note that Uncle Billy is intelligent and incredibly brave. He is also the most talented person in the movie.
Shirley Temple movies remain enjoyable, light entertainment. The plots are simple and rely mostly on Shirley and her cuteness and in the case of this movie, the talent of Bill Robinson. They succeed in their goal of entertaining us. Shirley Temple fans and fans of Bill "Bojangles" Robinson need this movie for their collection.
Enjoy!
Movie Review: Temple at the top of her game
Summary: 4 Stars
One of Shirley Temple's first movies for the newly-amalgamated Twentieth Century-Fox Pictures in 1935 was THE LITTLEST REBEL (based on an earlier play by Edward Peple).
Set in the South during the Civil War, THE LITTLEST REBEL gave audiences another chance to enjoy Temple in a similarly-themed story to "The Little Colonel" (released earlier in 1935 to great acclaim).
In THE LITTLEST REBEL, Shirley Temple plays spunky little Virginia Carey--known as Virgie to her friends. Dearly loved by everybody, Virgie accidentally causes untold tragedy for her father (John Boles), a Confederate soldier, when he's caught sneaking through enemy territory in a bid to see his ill wife (Karen Morley). It looks like curtains for Virgie's Pa, until the enterprising moppet decides to take matters into her own hands...
Temple is reunited with her "Curly Top" co-star John Boles, plus Bill "Bojangles" Robinson. Karen Morley and Jack Holt also turn in fine support. The score includes "Polly-Wolly Doodle", "Believe Me", and "Dixie".
The DVD includes both B&W and computer-colourised versions of the film.
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