When I was growing up, “Curly Top” was my favorite film. I
loved the little girl Shirley Temple was
By the time “Curly Top” was made, America was already
fascinated by Shirley Temple and her 56 golden curls. People knew and loved
her, and soon the entire world would follow. Although one might wonder about the
title of this film now, in 1935 there was no doubt as to what it was about, and
people flocked to movie theaters to see it.
In “Curly Top,” Shirley plays an orphan living in the
private but strict Lakeside Orphanage. She has an older sister, Mary, who must
be 16-18 years old. Played by the lovely dark haired and blue eyed Rochelle
Hudson, Shirley’s movie sister is an aspiring songwriter. Soon after the film
begins, we learn that the girls’ parents were show people who were killed in a
car crash. Besides the two girls, they also left behind a trained pony and duck,
who also live at the orphanage. Funny that may sound, it all works together
quite well in the film.
The film begins on a cold, rainy night as the orphan girls are
led up a rather grand staircase to their dormitory, a large room with a long
line of beds. In the first scene, we see a variety of little girls in long,
white flannel nightgowns saying their prayers. It isn’t long after the matron
turns off the light that we meet Shirley, whose name in the film is Elizabeth
Blair.
Now, Shirley or Elizabeth’s pony is standing out in the
freezing rain, and the little girl is worried about him. She’s a very determined
little girl, who breaks the rules to get her beloved “Spunky” inside. “Spunky”
was actually Shirley’s pony in real life. He was given to her by Joseph
Schenek, and brought over from England on the Queen Mary which docked in New
York. Worried that her pony would be frightened if they sent him cross-country
on a plane – he would have been the first horse transported by air, Shirley
insisted that they put him on a train. When she met him at the station with a
lei, because she thought he’d been so brave to travel that far, she named him “Spunky.”
This same name was used for him in the film.
Shirley’s character in Curly Top is constantly in trouble.
She sings when she’s not supposed to, has her pony sleeping in a bed in the
dormitory and imitates her elders, but through it all we are charmed. When told
that her pony and her duck will be sent away because of her behavior, she begs
her sister not to let that happen. Mary’s only response is that she must not
cry in front of Spunky so he won’t be afraid when he has to go away. One cannot
help but wonder what would have happened had the wealthy Mr. Morgan in the form
of John Boles not appeared to rescue her.
 |
| Shirley's dress on right and doll with matching costume |
 |
| Elizabeth and Mary arrive at their new home. |
In real life, things do not always work out this well, but
Shirley’s joy in the
picture seems to bring only good things to her. She is
adopted by the wealthy Mr. Boles and goes to live in a beautiful home by the
ocean. She has beautiful clothes and all the playthings she can dream of, but
along with her happiness and thankfulness is her concern about her friends back
at the orphanage. As a result, she puts on a benefit to raise money to buy play
things for her old friends. And in the midst of it” all, she plays matchmaker
for her sister.
Though “Curly Top” may not have as much deep meaning as
“Bright Eyes,” what it does have are wonderful musical numbers. It is difficult
to imagine that children now would be as fascinated with “Animal Crackers” as I
was when I first saw the film, but Shirley’s performance makes it fascinating.
She is the little girl in overalls who sings, standing on a chair while the
other children move back and forth and tap the table and glasses with their
forks. She skips down the aisle and sings about the grocer with his big
mustache and our eyes never leave her for a moment.
Later, Shirley sings about “When I Grow Up” and we believe
her when she says “you can call me up and I’ll come down when I grow up.” She
plays herself at sweet 16, at 21 getting married and as an old lady who plans
to sit in her rocker all day. Then she jumps in in her old lady dress, wig and
spectacles and taps like mad. Following this, she comes out with a jump rope
does an amazing tap dance while she jumps rope.
 |
| 1 of 2 Beautiful Pajamas in Curly Top |
There are charming scenes between her and Mr. Edward Morgan
aka John Boles, beautiful costumes such as her satin pajamas. And finally, there
is the moment when Mr. Morgan lifts her onto the baby grand white piano and
sings “Curly Top.” It is the culmination of childhood romance when Shirley
jumps up in her beautiful dress and dances on that baby grand.
A short time later, this little girl innocently—as children
do—blurts out some information that leads Mary to run out of the room and “Uncle
Edward” to follow her. It all ends charmingly and perfect the way fairytales do
and children’s films should.
 |
| Shirley Temple's Curly Top Dress Outfits which appear white in black and white films were usually a pastel color. |
“Curly Top” is glowing and uplifting, charming and funny.
Notable in the cast is Arthur Treacher who plays the butler with great style.
The script is also witty. Somehow, though others may, I can’t see this film as
dated. To me, it is perfect, perhaps a perfect capsule in time. It fascinates
and sweeps you along, and when it ends, rather than feeling drained and empty
as many of the films now leave you, one feels whole, rested and happy, with a
brighter view of life. It’s not too late to get that DVD or download of the film
and watch it! You’ll feel better.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_LLPYo7Ykc
Clip for "Curly Top" above.
Note: On July 14th, 2015, Theriault's will auction off Shirley Temple's costumes in Curly Top and all her other films. What will happen to them? Will they end up in a museum where they can be seen by everyone?
No comments:
Post a Comment