Little Princess (1939)

Rating:
Summary: Overrated Shirley Temple vehicle.
Review: I've only seen two film versions of "Little Princess": this one and the 1995 Warner Bros. version. I can say that the latest film is miles better than this one. As Sara Crewe, Shirley Temple is WAY miscast. But since 20th Century Fox had her as their studio prodigy, it's pretty understandable. However, I never though she could really ACT, and this film didn't change my perception of her. When she tries to display emotions, she simply overacts during her numerous crying scenes in the film. Thank God this was one of her last films as a child star. In the 1995 remake, Liesel Matthews gave a more realistic child performance, didn't overact during her crying scenes, and she made me believe that her character was in danger and somehow suffering. That's something Shirley Temple could only DREAM of doing [making the viewer believe her]. This film version can't hold a candle to the 1995 remake.

Rating:
Summary: Sweet movie, a little to sappy for some
Review: My kids don't seem to care this one.

Rating:
Summary: The Little Princess Shirley
Review: Ok overall Shirley is really cute in this film and the technicolor is really good.I actually saw this video on Liketelevision online . It is really cute - but it's nothing like the book. It adds its own little twist and turns and they could have made it lots better. In the book I believe little Sara never cried and well Shirley did. I don't regret seeing this film or anything because i love temple movies but overall I thought this movie could have been much better.

Rating:
Summary: It is one of the most beatiful film I ever seen.
Review: Sara Crew is an exemple of how a child has to see a world. We need to hope in our future and the people around us.

Rating:
Summary: Great Movie!!!!!!!!!
Review: Shirley Temple is a very good actress in this movie. If you pay really good attention to this movie you'll understand this great movie.

Rating:
Summary: Not Bad
Review: Shirley Temple is adorable as always, and this film has some merits, but it is a poor adaptation of the novel. Too many liberties are taken with the plot--some things added, some things excluded, and still some more are altered in significant ways. If you like Shirley Temple or are interested in a classic, cute, "feel good" movie, then you will enjoy this. If you are interested in an accurate, or even valid, adaptation of the original novel, do look elsewhere.

Rating:
Summary: Good Movie, Bad DVD
Review: Shirley temple was an amazing actress as a children that has had at best several who come close. But she was and is unique. My kids just don't care for ST movies made when their grandma was 16 and I don't know why.

Rating:
Summary: Stunning talent that should be appreciated by more
Review: Shirley temple was an amazing actress as a children that has had at best several who come close. But she was and is unique. My kids just don't care for ST movies made when their grandma was 16 and I don't know why.

Rating:
Summary: Charming story
Review: The book and movies are favorites in our family. Though the 1995 version is a much better script with better acting, this film gives attention and details of the story that the new version does not - it provides some historical data as well. But the best selling point of this film is the "dream scene." Here is a poem in monologue and dialogue that is pure comedy combined with dance and exaggeration of characters to the extreme. This scene makes the movie worth owning even if you own the newer (better) story "A Little Princess".

Rating:
Summary: SHIRLEY'S BEST
Review: THE LITTLE PRINCESS is a lavishly mounted production which provided that greatest of all child stars, Shirley Temple with what many believe to be her best vehicle. It was also coincidentally, her first picture filmed in Technicolor. The story is set in Victorian England at the turn of the century. Shirley plays Sara Crewe, who's wealthy and respected Captain father (Ian Hunter) is drafted into the Boer War in Africa. Because of her Daddy's wealth and social position, Sara is given special treatment at Miss Minchin's Seminary and quickly earns the nick - name of "the little princess". Mary Nash plays the cross Miss Minchin, but Sara's winning personality earns her several quick friends at the school. Eventually the little girl goes looking for her Daddy in military hospitals. Great is the scene in which Sara awakes from a dream and the whole room has been transformed into a dream-like atmosphere with a buffet of good food on the table, expensive clothing and fancy furniture which has been provided by the anonymous "Lord Wickham". Dimpled Richard Greene plays Geoffrey Hamilton with considerable charm and as Ram Das, the Hindu Cesar Romero is excellent. Mary Nash does her usual scene stealing as the intimidating Miss Minchin. Younger children should love this picture even today, because the theme is universally timeless.