Customer Reviews

Shirley Temple The Early Years (Black and White)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Don't get this for kids - they'll hate it! As for me, I'm glad I bought it.
There are eleven short black-&-white films on this DVD, plus a nine-minute compilation of Movietone News items from the 1930's. Only six of the shorts are the controversial "Baby Burlesk" titles, the others are later films, with Shirley used as a supporting player, not the star. The "Baby Burlesks" were send-ups of movies and stars, so the jokes will be lost on most people, and the odd costumes were a bad idea(however,Shirley's were made by her Mom). On top of that, microphones in 1932 were terrible at recording high-pitched voices, so following the dialogue is a real chore. This is only a problem in the "Baby Burlesks"- the later shorts are fine for sound. One of the "Baby Burlesks" has atrocious picture quality(Pie Covered Wagon), all the others are watchable, but not great.
Is this worth getting? 30's film buffs (I'm one) should enjoy the satire in the "Baby Burlesks", and die-hard Shirley fans should enjoy the occasional Shirley moment in the others. No-one else should bother.

Of coarse these films are in black and white, they are filmed in 1930's! They are absolute adorable short films Shirley did when she was about 3. But, I absolutely adore Shirley Temple and have since when I was about 5 (I am 30 now). I don't know if kids these days will watch it, but then again, look at what kids do and watch today. Get it for yourself or if you know you have a sophisticated young one who can appreciate "old movies" get it for them.

I bought this and I wish I hadn't. I agree with the previous reviewer, the picture quality is extremely poor and sound quality is even poorer. I can only hear 1 or 2 words out of a whole conversation. This is not like any of the Shirley Temple shows that I've seen on TV. This DVD consists of several short films/skits, and they are all terrible. The kids don't act like kids, and none of the skits were funny at all. I ordered the Little Rascal Vol 1&2 at the same time and just love that one. The kids in Little Rascal act like kids and are hilarious.

We had a copy of this on a video and it was not good quality...had problems with rolling, etc. It is nice to have on DVD because there is no more rolling, and also it is much easier to find the short you wish to view.

My children enjoy this collection of Shirley shorts, but then we don't have TV and they are not "ruined" by the pathetic, modern entertainment offerings dished out to children today. These do have some cute moments, and I find them interesting to watch. The one that shows a woman singing like a chicken on a radio show is hilarious! I wonder if she isn't the woman who did all the early Disney chicken voices?

We have most of Shirley's films and we have enjoyed them for years. It is nice to have this DVD of her early work before she was famous. Yes, the quality on some is very bad...I think The Pie Covered Wagon is worst of all, both visually and audibly.But most are very watchable. Would be nice to see these restored though!

If you like Shirley, you will enjoy this. I give it 4 stars not for quality. I would say quality would be 2 and 1/2, but it rounds to 4 because I give it 5 for its availability.

This was a huge dissapointment. It started at the very begining when the first screen warns you that the quality of the material does not match todays standards. Naturally you'll find this out only after you open the wrapper. In fact the picture and sound quality were extremely poor.

Secondly I have serious reservations about the people who put these movies together. The children are dressed and act as if directed by Pedophiles. Whats with the underpants, bare legs etc As a mother of a three year old I was appalled. Not to mention the racist casting; all the toddlers of color were either maids, servants or porters. I don't care if this was a sign of the times, its still very insulting. This one WILL NOT grace our TV screen again as I 'd hate to send the wrong message to my child. FORGET THIS ONE

let this be a lesson to all of you dissatisfied customers, as I have been saying in several of my reviews here on amazon : if you pay peanuts for old classic movies...you GET peanuts! ONLY buy from respected big studios or high standard companies that put out well restaured and high quality product..after all THEY have a reputation to hold up! All those small kitchen sink dvd purveyors of old films in the public domain don't care about movies, only a quick buck... and that is what you are giving them!

There isn't much i can say about this product simply that it's interresting to see Shirley in these early films of her life, i've watched it lest three or four times aleady and i still can't get enough of it they are a bit week yes but there supposed to be that way i mean they were made back during the early 1930 all film of that age were made that like the our gang well that i want to say hope this helps Wilson r Tibbo jr.

It's hard to believe that a little girl could be that good.

Compared to the other "baby" actors, she definately stands out in the crowd.

Sure, the price and the fact that the DVD contains 12 movies may appeal to you. But this product is AWFUL! The picture and sound quality are terrible, it isn't even in colour! The skits are SO NOT funny. You only see shirley once or twice in each film. Each skit is only five minutes long, and the DVD doesn't have any good bonuses. i should have listened to the first three reviews. Don't buy this, even if you're a big Shirley fan, you'll be extremely disappointed and feel guilty about the big waste of money.

On the plus side, it IS a good way to easily collect every Baby Burlesk movie, and I must admit, they're adorable. Although you might feel like skipping "Pie-Covered Wagon" because the picture quality is so awful, the bodies of each child blends with the background and sometimes you can't even see their eyes! There's a short, but good documentary at the end that lasts a couple of minutes, containing original clips of Shirley at her 7th birthday, accepting her oscar, etc. And it's a lot better to buy this movie...than pay...for each Baby Burlesk tape.

So, in conclusion, this is probably the best deal ever for serious fans and collectors of Shirley. But children who adore the tap-dancing cutie won't be pleased. I know I wasn't. The only thing to be glad about was the fact that I'm now able to say I own the complete Baby Burlesk collection:( but that's about it.

hoildays are almost here and i no im going to enjoy them with my family my sister is waiting to watch them