Customer Reviews

Little Princess [VHS]

5 star:		(35)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(13)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

Based on the famous novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, Shirley Temple plays the pampered daughter (Sara Crewe)of a British officer named Captain Crewe. The movie starts with scenes from 1899 and the entire movie revolves around the war going on in South Africa as seen from a British perspective. The cinematography is superb and this is Shirley's first picture in Technicolor. There are a few song and dance routines.

When Sara and her father arrive in London, England, Captain Crewe is again called away to serve his country. Since they just arrived from India, Sara must find a school quickly so her father can leave for military duty.

"Why are they sending so many soldiers daddy, if it is only going to be a little war?" --Sara Crewe

In Sara's mind, her father is invincible. She never imagines that he might not make it through the war. Since she has never been away from her father for any extended time, the separation is more difficult for her.

After a tearful goodbye, the brave little Sara must face the unkind Miss Minchin who runs the Seminary for Young Ladies. Here, reputation is of the utmost concern and due to her wealthy status, she is treated well (at first).

During her time at the school, she learns to ride the pony her father purchased for her. Goeffrey Hamilton is her riding instructor who falls in love with her school teacher Rose. Miss Minchin will have none of that and tries to break up the relationship. Sara has other ideas and is quite the little matchmaker as always.

This is a completely delightful movie which also includes a wonderful ballet scene which is quite funny and you will laugh at many jokes throughout the movie. The little maid Becky is very cute and seems to be Sara's only true friend. When something happens to Sara's father we think she will never stop looking for him.

The beauty of the Shirley Temple films is their ability to teach children something great about life. Sara's hope, optimism and polite spirit helps her to fulfill her social obligations. When someone shows her a kindness, she is quick to show them one in return. I related well to this movie as my own father had gone to India when I was very young and then took me to Africa. All I can say is I am happy he took me to Africa and didn't leave me all alone in England! He did take me to England later when I was a teenager. You will see what I mean after you see this movie. While some of the scenes are sad, you will laugh more than feel sad.

~The Rebecca Review

This review refers to the Goodtimes DVD edition of "The Little Princess"(1939)...

At around 10 years old, Shirley Temple, by 1939 was a seasoned veteran. Steadily packing them into the theaters since the early thirties, her performance in "The Little Princess" will bring a tear to your eye and a smile to your face.

Sara Crewe is the daughter of Captain Reginald Crewe. Growing up in her beloved India, she led a life of privilege. Constantly doted on by her loving father, trying to make up for the loss of her mother. When the Captain is called to duty in Africa, Sara is left at an upper-crust school for girls in London. Mrs. Minchin, the snobby head-mistress, treats Sara like a princess, as she knows the money will be rolling in from daddy. But life takes a sudden turn for Sara, her father is reported dead, all the money gone, and poor little Sara must work hard for her keep at the school. She is treated miserably.

Sara knows deep down though, her father is still alive. It's a poignant and heartwarming journey with Shirley, as she takes us on an emotional roller coaster to find him. Directed by Walter Lang, it's a film that has stood the test of time, and a story that may be enjoyed by the enitre family(pretty rare these days).

Shirley does some dance numbers.A delightful one with Arthur Treacher, as they cheer up the wounded soliders in the hospital. And in another beautiful dream sequence, a ballet. Adding to the story is the romance of two teachers that are pulled apart by the evil Miss Minchin. The cast speaks for itself. Ian Hunter, Richard Green, Cesar Romero, Anita Louise, Mary Nash, and the above mentioned Treacher are wonderful.

This DVD by Goodtimes is a real bargain. Don't expect a Criterion-like transfer of this 65 year old film, but a very decent and enjoyable view. The film is not pristeen. It is a bit on the scratchy side, but a very nice picture, in technicolor. The sound is very good. Always clear and distinguishable. Other then some Biographical notes on Temple there are no other special features. There are no subtitles or captions.

also found here:The Little Princess - check for best deals and availability

Go back in time and enjoy this classic treat with the whole family....Laurie

more treats from the 30's

To the Last Man [VHS] - with Randy Scott and includes a little tiny Shirley Temple in the cast

Alfred Hitchock: Jamaican Inn/Murder - two great thrillers from the master - includes a young Maureen O'Hara and an early talkie

American Madness(early Capra with Walter Huston)

When I was a very little girl, every Saturday morning featured "Shirley Temple Theatre", which is how I came to see almost every Shirley Temple movie. But every Saturday, I had the same hope, that the movie that morning would be "The Little Princess", and whenever it was, I was overjoyed. And why was that? Because I loved the Victorian setting of the movie. Here Shirley plays Sara Crewe, for the first time in her life being separated from her British officer father, who must report for duty in the Boer War. Sara is deposited in an exclusive girls school in London, where her wealth and manners earn her the monniker, "The Little Princess". Yet in spite of her advantages, Sara is a down to earth girl, with a kind and loving heart, and it is these qualities which endear her to the more sensitive inhabitants of the boarding school. Then, tragically, Sara's strength of character must be tested: on her birthday, word is received that Captain Crewe has been killed during the seige of Mafeking, and Sara is left not only an orphan but penniless to boot. The headmistress forces Sara now to be a servant in the house where she used to be treated as a princess, enduring the insults of vindictive students whom she must wait on hand and foot. What is Sara's response? She behaves like the good soldier her father trained her to be, performing her duties to the best of her ability, with one important exception: she refuses to admit that her father is dead. And so the rest of the movie concerns her stubborn insistence that her father is alive, and that she will find him again. Being a Shirley Temple movie, after all, the ending must needs be a happy one, but achieved through a very special agent--you'll have to view it to find out who. In many ways, "The Little Princess" is atypical of Shirley's movies: it is a costume drama (most of hers are set in the 1930s), there are only two dance numbers in the whole movie, and it is a relatively late Shirley picture, 1939. So while other reviewers have commented on how "cute" she is, at this point Shirley was past the really adorable phase of her career, as evident in "Bright Eyes" or "Little Miss Marker". Yet her performance in this movie clearly demonstrates that Shirley could really act, contrary to what some detractors have said about the post-babyhood Shirley. The expression on her face when the headmistress tells her she should be grateful to assume the role of servant relays shock and disbelief, and in another scene with the same woman, just as that headmistress is able to strike Sara, Shirley gives her an un-cute look that stops her cold. Her near-breakdown at the end of the movie when her fortitude receives its final test also testifies to better acting than she is generally credited with. I loved "The Little Princess" as a child; I still watch it, now with a different appreciation, as an adult. I invite you to do the same.

Unlike some of the other reviewers, I absolutely adore this Shirley Temple movie. It is one that brings back many memories of watching Shirley Temple movies with my sister when we were little. My favorite parts are when Shirley and her little friend wake up and see all the beautiful gifts that were given to her by the Indian guy, and when she throws the bucket of soot on the snotty Clarissa, but most of all, when she finds her "Daddy" at the end,as he keeps calling "Sara, Sara."
This one is excellent, and I highly recommend it!

After MGM'S successful Technicolor fantasy THE WIZARD OF OZ set the box office on fire, Fox decided to give Shirley Temple a big Techicolor vehicle as well. Turning, as they had done with 1937's HEIDI, to classic literature for a new story idea, they chose the classic novel "A Little Princess" by Frances Burnett.

THE LITTLE PRINCESS gave Temple her first real dramatic role, as well as showing off her astute singing and dancing skills in a lavish dream sequence.

Sharing the screen with Temple is a wonderful and capable supporting cast including Arthur Treacher (MARY POPPINS), Mary Nash (who also co-starred with Temple in HEIDI), Marcia Mae Jones (also from HEIDI), Anita Louise, Arthur Malet, Caesar Romero and Sybil Jason (who would go on to co-star with Temple again the following year in THE BLUE BIRD).

The film is a lovingly-crafted tale of young Sara Crewe, who is sent to Miss Minchin's school for girls during the Boer War when her father is called into service. When her father is listed as missing in action, the girl is forced into labor at the school in order to repay the debt she owns to Miss Minchin.

Stunning color photography, a good three years before the system was fully-developed, and an equally-colorful script engage the viewer from beginning to end.

Utterly delightful, and still regarded as one of Temple's best films.

The Little Princess is an excellent movie starring the great child star Shirley Temple. Shirley and the rest of the cast act very convincingly throughout the film; and the plot held my interest. The choreography and cinematography enhance the movie quite a bit.

The action begins in England in 1899 at the start of the Boer War. Captain Reginald Crewe (Ian Hunter) is being deployed to South Africa to fight in the Boer War; and he is leaving his rather pampered and emotionally vulnerable child Sara (Shirley Temple) at a prestigious seminary for girls run by a nasty old lady named Amanda Minchin (Mary Nash). Amanda Minchin runs the school although Hubert 'Bertie' Minchin (Arthur Treacher) also lives with her.

It isn't long before Sara befriends two of the staff at the school: Geoffrey Hamilton (Richard Greene) and Rose (Anita Louise), her teacher. She also befriends a young servant girl at the seminary named Becky (Sybil Jason).

The war doesn't end quite as quickly as planned. In fact, things become rather nasty--and, after several long months Sara must celebrate her birthday in the seminary without her father. There is a sweet exchange of presents just before the horrific news comes that Sara's father was killed in the war and Sara is left penniless. Amanda Minchin suddenly isn't so accommodating toward Sara; she makes Sara a servant at the seminary until her bills can be paid off; and Sara must live in a dingy old and dirty room in the attic that isn't even fit for a dog.

Of course, from here the plot can go anywhere. How will Sara handle the huge change going from pampered little rich girl to servant in the seminary? Will the other girls tease her or show sympathy for Sara? What about Sara's insistence that her father is alive--is Sara dreaming this all up or could it be true? Sara even goes so far as to search army hospitals to try to find her father. Well, there are no plot spoilers here--you'll just have to watch the movie to find out!

The ballet sequence is marvelous to behold; this is Sara's dream of being out of the hands of the evil villain, that nasty Amanda Minchin. The dancing and the music are quite good.

The DVD has few extras. There is a brief trivia quiz about the movie; and we get a brief one screen long biography about Shirley Temple's career and her life after leaving show business. Sorry, folks!

Overall, The Little Princess is a fine movie vehicle for Shirley Temple. Expect some great performances from Mary Nash as Amanda Minchin and Arthur Treacher as Bertie Minchin looks great dancing with little Shirley. I highly recommend this film for fans of Shirley Temple; and people who enjoy classic movies from the golden era of Hollywood would do well to get this film.

I think that this is one of Shirley's best films. It's sad, but cute. It is pretty much like the book. It is a really good movie. It doesn't have any songs in it. I've been watching it since I was 2 years old. It has always been my favorite movie.

This is an amazing film that shows love, friendship, and respect. Shirley Temple was so cute. She played a marvelous Sarah Crewe. At the part when she was by the window crying to say goodbye to her daddy. It was sad that he had to go to war. Ian Hunter was a great actor too. Now for Becky played by Sybil Jason. She was one of the cutest and best actress I've ever seen. I like it when Sarah gave Becky a wonderful present, and Becky almost fainted! I also like it when she says, Oh no, miss. She is so adorable. I felt so bad when Becky slipped in the street with the police after her and Sarah just because miss Minchin thought that Sarah stole a bunch of stuff. But they didn't, Sarah thought her dreams came true. That caring indian that owns the parrot snuck in and gave it to her. Well, this was a great movie, and I'll never lose this VHS. Well, bye actors, and actress.

I watched this after enjoying the newer version so much... This one is even better!

Sara, played by Shirley Temple, is sent by her father to a boarding school. He is her only surviving parent. He tells her to remain strong. He says that, on her birthday, he will think of her at a specific hour, and he tells her to do the same about him at that hour. She does this.

So long as the father's wealth is relevant, the girl enjoys the status of a privileged child. She is treated to a lavish birthday party. But when news comes of her father's death in the Boer War, however, the party is stopped immediately, and she is henceforth treated as the lowest of servants. Other girls laugh at her. In a moment of rage, Sara dumps a bucket of coal-ashes over the head of one of her tormentors.

Sara never believes that her father is actually dead. Others try to convince her to "accept reality." She makes many desperate trips to a wounded-men's shelter in hopes of finding her father. The headmaster of the school realizes that Sara is skipping out of school.

The father indeed is not dead, but he is either wounded or very ill. He is in some sort of coma, and is unable to identify himself. There is no other identification on him. All the hospital staff can say about him is the fact that he keeps repeated the word, "Sara".

The suspense builds. Will Sara encounter and identify him before he is shipped away? Sara eventually gets an audience before Queen Victoria and begs that the entire premises be searched for her father. The Queen agrees, and gives the order for this to take place. Sara gets to examine every ward in the hospital. Meanwhile, her semi-comatose father is about to be taken away in an ambulance to another institution. At one point, they pass within a few feet of each other, unawares.

Sara's father is wheeled into a waiting room for the next ambulance. Sarah goes into hiding in the waiting room when she hears the headmaster and the police seeking her. At that point, Sara hears the word "Sara" uttered by her semi-comatose father. What happens next is a tear-jerker.