Shirley Temple in "Heidi" - A Wonderful and Beloved Film

Even for those who are not special fans of the 1930s or of Shirley Temple there are two films that most people know: Heidi and The Little Princess. These films are based on classic children’s book. Although new films were made of these stories (Heidi several times), none have ever surpassed the Shirley Temple films – either in production or in acting.

Heidi is a favorite of many people. Made in 1937, it also starred actor Jean Hersholt, whose name is attached to the Humanitarian Award given yearly by the Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences. Mr. Hersholt, who plays Shirley’s grandfather, is an amazing actor and there is never a moment we don’t believe him. We are frightened by him, in awe of him and, later in the film, feel his desperation as he searches for his beloved granddaughter, Heidi.

In 1937, Shirley had an autograph book which she asked her co-stars and visitors to write in. These autograph books recently came to light in the Love, Shirley Temple Exhibit by Theriaut’s which will action them off on July 14^th. About his experience of working with Shirley in Heidi, Jean Hersholt wrote:

“I have been in pictures for almost 32 years and “Heidi” is my 436^th film, so when I tell you that you are the finest little actress, the grandest trooper I have ever worked with, you must realize that I know what I’m talking about…”

Heidi was written by Johanna Spyri of Switzerland and published in 1880. It was said to be the first good, well-written book for children written in German, however, it would be many years before it became well-known and loved as it is.

The little boots Shirley
wore in Heidi

The film opens with Heidi (Shirley Temple) and Aunt Dee Dee hiking through a small town in the Swiss Alps. Heidi’s Aunt Dee Dee has forced her to  wear all the clothes she owns, rather than carrying them for the trip. Eventually, she gets too hot and begins to peel away the layers of skirts and vests.

To the Left, the costume Heidi wears
when climbing the mountain
Right, the final costume of the film.

We soon learn that Heidi is an orphan. Her mother’s sister, Aunt Dee Dee, has takenc are of her for many years, but now, with the offer of a fine job, she’s taking the little girl to live with her grandfather, a hermit who lives in the Alps above the town of Dorfli. Grandfather had much bitterness over his son, (Heidi’s father) and the towns’ people, he separated himself from them by moving to the mountain. Now, the town’s people are afraid of him.

In the film, Shirley/Heidi presents her usual cheerful self with the innocence of a

child. But if you watch the film carefully, she is somewhat different. She has taken on the character of Heidi and we never for a moment believe that she is not that little girl. Even the cadence of her speech has changed somewhat.

Heidi is not blind to the rumors about her grandfather. She seems strong and able to take care of herself, but when she seems him sharpening a knife, she puts her hand to her throat, closes her eyes and prepares to die!

Jean Hersholt as the grandfather is amazing. With his stout figure, huge mop of hair with beard and burning eyes, we are in awe of him. Indeed, he is the man that the villagers are afraid of, he is the grandfather!

As time goes on, we see that this gruff man is amazed by the little granddaughter who has come to live with him. He watches her making her way, and he’s glad to have a companion. Although few words are spoken, a deep relationship grows. The grandfather makes Heidi a bed, a chair and teaches her to milk the goats Swanli and Bearli. Intertwined with this is the happy little tune, which Heidi often hums as she goes about her way. It represents the light and joy she brings into a home where there was only bitterness. She, it seems, is blind to the grandfather’s non-welcoming attitude. In the end, he reads the Bible to her and begins to attend church and becomes welcoming of the villagers.

Originally only seen in black and white
on film, seeing the color and detail
of the little dutch girl is amazing.

Lovely dream sequence minuet costume.

It should also be noted that in this film, there is a dream sequence which includes the story of magic wooden shoes. Here, for the first time, we see Shirley Temple in other than 56 golden curls. She wears a blond wig with braids and she is no less beautiful. She also appears in a minuet, wearing period clothing and wig from the 1700s.

L. The hat and coat Hedi wears when
arriving at Herr Sessman's.
R. Heidi's Christmas Dress

It is during this happy time that Aunt Dee Dee comes and steals Heidi away. Each scene in this film follows with such care, never lingering too long, but filling you with emotion so that you cannot help but continue to watch. Heidi, of course, does not want to leave. She loves the grandfather and, as she later says, knows that he needs her. Dee Dee has no care for what Heidi wants. She is bringing her to the home of Herr Seseman to be a companion for the crippled wealthy girl, Klara. Dee Dee, of course, will get money for her efforts.

Throughout this time, Heidi is lied to about being able to return to the grandfather. She and Klara become friends, but the governess, Fraulein Rottenmeier is not at all pleased. She likes the household as it is – another words where Klara is ill and she is in charge. At one point, Heidi lets an organ grinder’s monkey in, which leads to a hilarious sequence of events with the monkey jumping on Fraulein Rottenmeier’s back and she and the butler (played by the wonderful Arthur Treacher) sliding across the floor on their backs.

The hat Heidi wears, which butler Arthur Treacher
refers to as "That extraordinary hat."
It appears just as it did in the film, worn.

Beautiful coat, hat and
books Heidi wears to the
theater on Christmas Night.

Meanwhile, Heidi encourages Klara to learn to walk again. With the kind of positive attitude we find in most Shirley Temple films, Shirley/Heidi tells Klara, played wonderfully by Marcia Mae Jones, that she didn’t think she could learn to read but Goat Peter said she could if she wanted to and she did, so if Klara wants to walk again, maybe she can too. In the end, thanks to Heidi, Klara does walk.

There are many notable scenes in the film.
There is the lovely scene where Heidi sees a Christmas tree for the first time and touches the tree ball with great wonder, then returns to the piano to sing “Silent Night,” with wonder and love in her eyes. That night, the grandfather has finally reached the city where Heidi is living. There are many close calls when Herr Sesemann takes the girls out for a Christmas show and the grandfather calls her name. Later that night, Fraulein Rottenmeir tells Heidi she is taking her home and tries to sell her to the gypsies in revenge for having lost her position. The scene in the police station between Heidi, the grandfather and Fraulein Rottenmeir is a powerhouse of acting.

One must simply watch this film. It’s fascinating because of the location and all the varied characters, and in the end, it’s a triumph of love. There is nothing more beautiful than the last moments of this film as Shirley prays,

“And please God, make every little boy and girl in the world as happy as I am today.”

 

You won’t see a film like this now.















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Auction, July 14th, 2015