The Little Princess (1939)

88% of critics liked it
(8 reviews)
74% of users liked it
(14,936 ratings)

Shirley Temple's first Technicolor feature, The Little Princess was inspired by the oft-filmed novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Set in turn-of-the-century England, the film finds Temple being enrolled in a boarding school by her wealthy widowed father (Ian Hunter), who must head off to fight in the… More Shirley Temple's first Technicolor feature, The Little Princess was inspired by the oft-filmed novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Set in turn-of-the-century England, the film finds Temple being enrolled in a boarding school by her wealthy widowed father (Ian Hunter), who must head off to fight in the Boer War. At first, Temple is treated like royalty; her behavior couldn't be more down to earth, but this preferential treatment foments resentment. When her father is reported killed in the war, circumstances are severely altered. The spiteful headmistress (Mary Nash) relegates Temple to servant status and forces the girl to sleep in a drafty attic. She keeps her spirits up by hoping against hope that her father will return, and to that end she haunts the corridors of a nearby military hospital. Queen Victoria doesn't have to make a guest appearance in the tearfully joyous closing sequence, but it does serve as icing on the cake to this, one of Temple's most enjoyable feature films. Reliable Shirley Temple flick supporting actors Cesar Romero and Arthur Treacher are back in harness in The Little Princess, while adult leading lady Anita Louise figures prominently in a sugary dream sequence. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: G, 1 hr. 31 min.
Directed By: Walter Lang, William A. Seiter
Written By: Walter Ferris, Ethel Hill
Genres: Drama, Kids & Family, Musical & Performing Arts, Classics, Comedy

In Theaters: Mar 10, 1939 Wide
On DVD: Jul 18, 2002
Studio: Slingshot Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Irresistible Shirley Temple showcase vehicle.
Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan
Heart tugging Temple with payoff ending
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Good Temple vehicle.
Bob Bloom, Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)
Too sweetly cloying. Not one of little Shirley's best efforts.

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Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

I read the book when I was a kid, and saw the remake, and this movie was pretty good too. It could have been better, though.
Deb S

Shirley Temple plays a rich girl in an exclusive boarding school, whose father is suddenly killed in the British War. She becomes a pauper and the hateful headmistress has her stripped of all privileges and forces her to work in the kitchen to earn her keep. Temple refuses to believe… More
Shirley Temple plays a rich girl in an exclusive boarding school, whose father is suddenly killed in the British War. She becomes a pauper and the hateful headmistress has her stripped of all privileges and forces her to work in the kitchen to earn her keep. Temple refuses to believe her father is dead and searches the hospitals for him where she encounters Queen Victoria.
Donna D

Cute Shirley Temple movie. The movie was adorable and loved the part when she dumped Ashes on the snotty rich girl! haha. ;) A favorite of mine back in the day.
Sunil J

I think it's hard not to like the Little Princess story. It's sweet and heartfelt and i've never seen a bad version of it.
Sarah P

One of my favorite Shirley Temple movies of all time.

Cast

            Shirley Temple as Sara Crewe

            Richard Greene as Geoffrey Hamilton

            Anita Louise as Miss Rose

            Ian Hunter as Capt. Crewe

            Cesar Romero as Ram Dass

            Arthur Treacher as Bertie Minchin

            Sybil Jason as Becky

            Miles Mander as Lord Wickham

            Marcia Mae Jones as Lavinia

            Beryl Mercer as Queen Victoria

            Deidre Gale as Jessie

            Ira Stevens as Ermengarde

            E.E. Clive as Mr. Barrows

            Eily Malyon as Cook

            Clyde Cook as Attendant

            Will Stanton as Groom

            Harry Allen as Groom

            Evan Thomas as Doctor

            Holmes Herbert as Doctor

            Guy Bellis as Doctor

            Kenneth Hunter as General

            Lionel Braham as Colonel

            Olaf Hytten as Man

            Mary Nash as Amanda Minchin

            Rita Page as Girl

            Keith Hitchcock as Bobbie
See full cast