Heidi (1937)
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100% of critics liked it
(14 reviews) -
69% of users liked it
(18,009 ratings)
Johanna Spyri's perennial children's favorite Heidi was retailored to the talents of Shirley Temple, resulting in one of her best vehicles. Orphaned early in the proceeding, Heidi is left in the care of her bitter, misanthropic grandfather Adolph Kramer (Jean Hersholt). It doesn't take… More Johanna Spyri's perennial children's favorite Heidi was retailored to the talents of Shirley Temple, resulting in one of her best vehicles. Orphaned early in the proceeding, Heidi is left in the care of her bitter, misanthropic grandfather Adolph Kramer (Jean Hersholt). It doesn't take long before the sweet little child has melted grandpa's hardened heart, and the two "outcasts" become inseparable. But things take a sinister turn when Heidi's cruel and avaricious aunt (Mady Christians) kidnaps the girl and sells her into servitude in the home of wealthy Segemann (Sidney Blackmer). Making the best of the situation, Heidi befriends Segemann's invalid daughter Klara (Marcia Mae Jones), encouraging the girl to walk unassisted for the first time in years. The grateful Segeman promises to reunite Heidi with her grandfather, but Jones's wicked governess Fraulein Rottenmeier (Mary Nash) contrives to keep the girl and her grandpa separated once more -- until the very, very last moment! Perhaps feeling that the Alpine setting of Heidi did not allow Shirley Temple full scope for her musical talents, the screenwriters contrived to include a dream sequence, wherein Heidi imagines herself to be in Holland and clogs to the tune of "In My Little Wooden Shoes." ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Allan Dwan
- Written By
- Walter Ferris, Julien Josephson
- Genres
- Drama, Kids & Family, Classics
G,
- In Theaters
- Jan 1, 1937 Wide
- On DVD
- Jan 29, 2002
- Studio
- Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
Critic Reviews
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, TIME Magazine
Like all Shirley Temple stories, Heidi traces the reaction of human wickedness to the Temple dimples; unlike many of them, it has a craftsmanlike dramatic structure.
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Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
It's far from being a personal work, but as always with Dwan, it's the best movie imaginable from the limited material at hand.
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Brian Costello, Common Sense Media
Classic Shirley Temple film promotes positivity.
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Michael E. Grost, Classic Film and Television
Decent film with some inventive scenes, and values that still echo today.
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Under Dwan's capable hands, this so-so children's story classic by Johanna Spyri comes out much better than expected.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Shirley Temple
as Heidi
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Jean Hersholt
as Adolph Kramer
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Arthur Treacher
as Andrew
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Helen Westley
as Blind Anna
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Pauline Moore
as Elsa
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Thomas Beck
as Village Priest
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Mary Nash
as Fraulein Rottenmeier
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Sidney Blackmer
as Herr Sesemann
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Mady Christians
as Aunt Dete
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Sig Rumann
as Police Captain
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Marcia Mae Jones
as Klara Jesemann
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Delmar Watson
as Peter the Goat Boy
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Egon Brecher
as Innkeeper
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Christian Rub
as Baker
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George Humbert
as Organ Grinder
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Greta Meyer
as Village Woman
