The Little Princess (1939)
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88% of critics liked it
(8 reviews) -
74% of users liked it
(15,148 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… 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
- Directed By
- Walter Lang, William A. Seiter
- Written By
- Walter Ferris, Ethel Hill
- Genres
- Drama, Kids & Family, Musical & Performing Arts, Classics, Comedy
G,
- In Theaters
- Mar 10, 1939 Wide
- Studio
- Slingshot Entertainment
Critic Reviews
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Irresistible Shirley Temple showcase vehicle.
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Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan
Heart tugging Temple with payoff ending
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Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Good Temple vehicle.
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Bob Bloom, Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)
Too sweetly cloying. Not one of little Shirley's best efforts.
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Cast
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Shirley Temple
as Sara Crewe
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Richard Greene
as Geoffrey Hamilton
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Anita Louise
as Miss Rose
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Ian Hunter
as Capt. Crewe
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Cesar Romero
as Ram Dass
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Arthur Treacher
as Bertie Minchin
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Sybil Jason
as Becky
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Miles Mander
as Lord Wickham
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Marcia Mae Jones
as Lavinia
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Beryl Mercer
as Queen Victoria
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Deidre Gale
as Jessie
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Ira Stevens
as Ermengarde
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E.E. Clive
as Mr. Barrows
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Eily Malyon
as Cook
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Clyde Cook
as Attendant
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Will Stanton
as Groom
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Harry Allen
as Groom
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Evan Thomas
as Doctor
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Holmes Herbert
as Doctor
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Guy Bellis
as Doctor
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Kenneth Hunter
as General
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Lionel Braham
as Colonel
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Olaf Hytten
as Man
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Mary Nash
as Amanda Minchin
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Rita Page
as Girl
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Keith Hitchcock
as Bobbie
