Customer Reviews

Sing & Dance Along [VHS]

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

My 20 month daughter has loved this video since she was 16 months old. She calls it "dancing" and watches it DAILY enthralled, or "dances" with it, or even plays her baby piano along with it. Please keep in mind - this video is designed for children, not for adults who collect Shirley Temple memorabilia. This is why some of the songs have been modified, (the addition of children's voices in instrumental dance scenes, scenes of Shirley in action from other movies in some still singing scenes, colorization, and the words to the songs bouncing along the bottom)in order to keep the children's attention. I also wish "On the Good Ship Lollypop" had been included, but can only hope that the studio is saving it for a Sing & Dance Along vol II - we've almost worn vol I out!

This video is very different...it isn't a Shirley Temple movie. It is a recent video; a collection of some of Shirley's songs. They have added other children's voices to the original songs and this totally spoils them! Another thing...I know that every review mentions this, but I still can't believe that this video doesn't even feature "ON THE GOOD SHIP LOLLIPOP"! Personally, I think this is just another scam to make money off Shirley collectors, who will buy anything as long as it has anything to do with Shirley Temple. One can always buy a Shirley CD, or go to the website: Shirley Temple-The World's Darling and listen to her songs on the postcard page for free! Well, if you are a serious collector, go ahead...but if you are a fan of the movies, leave this on the shelf and pick something else!

The new video, Shirley Temple: Sing and Dance Along, is wonderful for Shirley Temple fans, or even as an introduction to Shirley Temple for young children. Each of the songs has words accompanying the music, so kids can sing along if they want.

There were a few things that I was not too pleased with. First of all, during two of the songs, children's voices have been added to sing along with the music. Not only is this annoying for Shirley Temple purists, but in my opinion the children who are singing are somewhat tone-deaf. This was only included in two of the songs, both of which were from "Captain January". Second, there is a glaring omission of Shirley's most famous song, "On the Good Ship Lollipop". As a Shirley Temple fan, that would have been the first song I would have included in a compilation such as this. I would suggest to Fox that they could put out another volume of "Sing and Dance Along", and include the lollipop song, as well as some of the others that made her movies so enjoyable, such as "Polly-Wolly-Doodle", "That's What I Want For Christmas", and "Baby, Take A Bow."

I bought this video 8 years ago when my daughter was 2-1/2. She could not get enough of it and quickly had all the songs down and Codfish Ball routine down pat! Definitely something you don't mind hearing over and over (as you will, trust me). It was a sweet and gentle influence on her and created interest in seeing Shirley's movies too. Now my daughter has a little brother who is 2 and I'm buying a new copy for him to enjoy -- yes the other got completely worn out! Don't hesitate with this -- so few pleasures as simple and innocent as this one, and I have no doubt it contributed to my daughter's love of dance, which she continues to study and enjoy to this day. Buy it!

My daughter is three and watches this video over and over. She is mesmerized. She dances while she watches it, and sings the songs later in the day. I don't mind watching it repeatedly, unlike some shows.

My neices and nephews love watching this dance and sing along specifically made for children. It has tons of positive songs and messages - you've got to S-M-I-L-E to be HAPPY! My family smiles the entire time we watch it! Shirley Temple is adorable!!!

My kids love Shirley temple. I frankly find the movies a bit long to watch. I love the songs and Dance. This gives us the songs and dances. They love to watch and sing the songs in the house and car.

This has about 40 minutes of Shirley's singing and dancing. There are 12 numbers:

1. Early Bird (Captain January)
2. On Account-A-I-Love You (Baby Take A Bow)
3. Animal Crackers in My Soup (Curly Top)
4. At the Codfish Ball (Captain January)
5. You Gotta S-M-I-L-E to Be A H-A-Double-P-Y (Stowaway)
6. He Was a Dandy (Dimples)
7. In Our Little Wooden Shoes (Heidi)
8. When I Grow Up (Curly Top)
9. Be Optimistic (Little Miss Broadway)
10. This Is a Happy Little Ditty (Just Around the Corner)
11. I Love to Walk in the Rain (Just Around the Corner)
12. Goodnight My Love (Stowaway)

The footage is colorized. I'm inclined to give this five stars just for the content. But, the format leaves much to be desired. The onscreen sing-a-long lyrics at times cover too much of the screen and are too animated. They often detract from the footage. For that reason some of the best numbers are the ones where there is more dancing than singing (like "At the Codfish Ball" and "He Was a Dandy").

It was ok but I wondered why they just HAD to add those annoying voices to the two songs from Captain January. The rest of the songs were good. Hey, at least I know all the lyrics! :-D

I was delighted to find this compilation tape to introduce my daughter to one of my favorites from childhood. it has become a favorite birthday gift for others, too. I, too, miss "Good Ship Lollipop", but maybe they were saving that so we would buy the next volume. Now my daughter knows who was the namesake for the gingerale drink we let her have when we go out for a fancy dinner.