Rating: 
Summary: ONE OF SHIRLEY'S WORST FILMS
Review: I have not read the book by F.H. Burnett, on which this film was based, or seen the 1995 remake, but I agree with the majority of reviewers who feel that Shirley Temple did not give one of her best performances in THE LITTLE PRINCESS as Sara Crewe, the poor little rich girl who goes from "riches to rags". This film, in my opinion, suffers from an excess of overacting, not only from Shirley but also from her supporting cast. Shirley is unconvincing in her attempts to display emotion, whether it is grief over her father's reported death, or joy when she is finally re-united with him at the end of the film. Though I never considered her a remarkable child actress, still she seemed unable here to re-create the irresistible charm of her earlier films, which so endeared her to the public of the 1930s. Not helping her in any way are the British actors and actresses who fill the supporting roles. They overplay their "Englishness" to the point of irritation (especially Arthur Treacher), which detracts from the enjoyment of the film. Shirley, too, overplays the English bit in her song-and-dance routines with Treacher, and has as much trouble with the Cockney accent as the poor American actress who was stuck playing the part of the Cockney servant girl who befriends Shirley at the school. In THE LITTLE PRINCESS her talent for dance never has the opportunity to shine as it did in previous films. It was obvious in the ballet sequence that she didn't possess the strength to dance in point shoes, and her duets with Treacher cannot compare with the memorable scenes of her dancing with Bill "Bojangles" Robinson in THE LITTLE COLONEL, or with Buddy "Jed Clampett" Ebsen in CAPTAIN JANUARY. For children and adults who want to see examples of her dancing prowess, these two films are strongly recommended. And for those wishing to see Shirly performing at her best, take a look at WEE WILLIE WINKIE or POOR LITTLE RICH GIRL. (A note to fans of Marcia Mae Jones: My favorite scene in THE LITTLE PRINCESS, and possibly the highlight of the film, occurs near the end when Marcia, playing the haughty schoolgirl Lavinia, gets a pail of ashes dumped on her head. Touche', Shirley.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Movie, Bad DVD
Review: I have recently bought this DVD from the brand/company, and it came with a scrach and would only play the first half of the movie. Having opened the DVD I could not return it, but because it was such a cheap price it wasn't to bad. I have seen the full movie, and I think it is one Shirley's better ones. One of my favorite parts is when Shirley and Arther Treacher sing "Knock'd Em In The Old Kent Road". I loved the movie, but I don't think I would buy from the DVD company again.
Rating: 
Summary: The little princess
Review: I love the book "A Little Princess" and this movie is nothing like the book. The end with Queen Victoria just makes me sick. Don't buy this movie, but the 1995 version is good, i like that one, or read the book. Shirly Temple was a horrible actress for the part of Sarah Crewe, she was nothing like her. I don't reccommend this movie.
Rating:
Summary: Not one of my favorites
Review: I really did not like this movie. Perhaps it is because I do not like Shirley Temple-- all her pouting and her annoying voice. Also, I preferred the Warner Brothers version much better.
Rating: 
Summary: One of the best movie ever
Review: I saw this movie on TV when i was young. It made me cry, laugh and every kind of emotion a person can have. Watch this movie and you'll know what i mean.
Rating:
Summary: THE BEST MOVIE
Review: I think that this is one of Shirley's best films. It's sad, but cute. It is pretty much like the book. It is a really good movie. It doesn't have any songs in it. I've been watching it since I was 2 years old. It has always been my favorite movie.
Rating:
Summary: The Little Princess
Review: I think The Little Princess movie is the best movie Shirley
Temple ever made because she played the part like it was real.
The movie was about Shirley Temple as Sarah Crew and she had to live in an orphanage while her daddy was in the war. Sarah Crew`s mother died. The headmaster and the girls were jealous of her and made Sarah clean and sleep in the attic.
At the end of the movie Sarah thinks that her daddy is in the hospital. She escapes from the orphanage and finds him there. My favorite part about the movie is when Sarah has a dream and then she awakes and has lots of pretty things.
Rating: 
Summary: Not Particularly Good - But Entertaining...
Review: I was about to write a review that so many people on this site have repeated: "Shirley Temple is SO cute in this film! She is beleivable and makes you think as a child might about the world. The film was made in lush technicolor and the sets and costumes are lavish!" Then, I thought that I should write a review, honestly stating what I felt about this film. This movie is a popular one, and a very good Shirley Temple vehicle, but it is not a particularly good movie. I grew up with the Francis Hodgeson Burnett(The Secret Garden) book. I loved it's charm and message. The characters were priceless and the tale was brilliant, melancholy, but beautiful. The tale was about a young girl of seven named Sara Crewe, who has always had a wonderful relationship with her young and wealthy papa, Captain Crewe. When she is seven, she is left with a dissagreeable caretaker named Ms. Minchin in her seminary for 'distinguished young ladies.' As the years pass she makes friendships with the dumpy, comic, and sweet Ermangarde, and the cockny maid, Becky. She is pampered, and treated quite royaly, and is given the nickname of the 'little princess.' On her birthday, it is found out that her papa has passed away, and she is left to work as a scullery maid with nothing but a black frock, and a doll named Emily. Throughout her left as a miserable maid, she keeps her dignity, and the theme of the novel becomes not to let the hate around you make you bitter, and hateful. Sara is eventualy saved, in the end. The plot of this movie is not at all faithful to the novel. Shirley Temple is only Shirley Temple throughout the film. Her dimples and teary eyes are, in comparison to the Sara of the novel, a baby. Sara of the novel was one 'who never cried' and was 'always dreaming and making up stories.' Temple's Sara cries often throughout the film, and it never dreams as the Sara of the book does. She is just a regular seven year old girl. The characters of Ermengarde, and Ms. Minchin's sister, Miss Amelia, have been either removed completly, or replaced with new characters. This leaves for a very miscast and confused film, that does not offer any of the beautiful lessons of the novel. As a movie, it might seem entertaining. Throughout the film, a dance sequence with Sara and Miss Minchin's brother, Bertrand, appears. It is commonplace for Temple, also, to have a dance sequence of some sort. This has a 'fairy tale' dance sequence. The script has small bits of humor, but not anything quite so nice. This is a nice movie, but not a good one to offer the lessons of the original book. All the same, it is best to watch it, as it will offer family entertainment. But, those who read the book will be disapointed.
Rating:
Summary: Not My Favorite Shirley Temple Movie
Review: I was dissapointed with this adaptation, as it lacked the spirit and philosophy of the original. Sara Crewe, as originally written, was a thoughtful girl who never was mean to others, even if they treated her badly. The Sara Crewe of this video dumps a bucket of coal on one of the students of the school when she is angered. I knew then that this Sara in no way resembled the Sara I had read about and loved as a child. If you are a big Shirley Temple fan, you will probably like this movie anyway, but if you have ever loved the book, steer clear of this, as it does not do the book justice.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful!
Review: I watched this after enjoying the newer version so much... This one is even better!
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