Customer Reviews

Wee Willie Winkie [VHS]

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

 

 

This is an outstanding movie. What makes it so fantastic is that it isn't just a great Shirley Temple vehicle...it's a great FILM all the way around. The director, John Ford, the supporting cast, including Victor McLaglen and Caesar Romero, and the production values are all top of the line.

The story seems predictable at first--once again, Shirley's precocious character, Priscilla, is missing a parent (this time, her father). As in some of her other films, she goes to live in a new environment with a grumpy older relative (this time, her grandfather, a British military general).

This is where the similarities end, however. Priscilla decides she isn't content sitting at home with her Mum, sewing samplers--she wants to join the Queen's Army. With the help of Sgt. MacDuff (McLaglen), she procures an official uniform, learns the drills, and adopts a military name--Wee Willie Winkie (the name, by and by, comes from a Scottish nursery rhyme). She also dabbles in international diplomacy by striking up a friendship with the Indian leader jailed in the army camp, Khoda Khan (Romero). When Khan's chieftains attack the base, it's up to Winkie to find a way to achieve peace.

One neat thing about this film is the theme of empowerment it has for young girls. It was made in 1937, and set in the prim-and-proper Victorian era--and it was about a little girl joining the army! Priscilla holds her own among the soldiers--at one point in the film, unhappy with a decree made by her grandfather, she storms into his office to argue about it (and she wins the argument!). The film sends the message that girls CAN do anything--be it sew or march in the army.

There is also a strong message of peace, in spite of all the military trappings--the battle between the British and Indian forces is not solved with guns or cannons, but through mediation. Winkie impresses her fellow soliders not by killing people, but by using her head and thinking things through.

Ford's direction is beautiful, and the script is strong. There are several extremely memorable scenes: the one that stands out in my mind is at the end of the film, when Khoda Khan, Winkie and the British general meet on a hill, surrounded by British and Indian troops.

Temple is wonderful in this--it is probably her strongest dramatic film and one of the best story-wise. She actually did her own stunts in this film--the scene where she ran across the path of the stampeding horses wasn't done with camera tricks! McLaglen is endearing as Sgt. MacDuff. Romero is also phenomenal--he makes Khoda Khan much more than a one-dimensional villain.

No, this isn't a light, happy musical. It IS, however, a film with a lot going for it, and definitely worthwhile.

One over-looked strength of so many Shirley Temple movies is that they can introduce young children to the topic of death and loss in a sensitive way. When Shirley's soldier friend Victor McLaglen dies of his wounds in his hospital bed during Shirley's visit, it is obvious to the audience, but not to the naive child. I found that scene the most touching in the whole movie. In other respects, it is a very good piece of movie-making, with old war horses C. Aubrey Smith and Cesar Romero turning in solid performances as Shirley's commander-grandfather and the villainous enemy to British concerns, respectively. Shirley manages to quell troubles in India, at least for now, by virtue of her innocence and pluck. Well worth seeing.

I love all Shirley movies, but this one takes her acting
a cut above. It allows Shirley to show her acting range.
I loved the story especially because it made you laugh and cry.
The scenery is beautiful and so is the story!

For anyone who hasn't already seen it, this movie is a pleasant surprise. It tells a rip-snortin' adventure yarn without sacrificing the familiar sentimental elements of a typical Shirley Temple movie. There isn't much of the usual light-hearted singing and dancing, but Shirley's infectious charm manages to shine through in the story of a young girl in 19th century India. Cesar Romero plays Khoda Khan, the rebel leader who wants the British out of his country. C. Aubrey Smith plays Shirley's no-nonsense grandfather, Colonel Williams, commanding the British military outpost. The tough soldiers, especially Sergeant MacDuff (Victor McLaglen), immediately fall under Shirley's spell, and make her the regiment mascot, "Private Winkie." Shirley also charms Khoda Khan while he is held in the garrison jail. (If she could bottle it, she would make a fortune). After Khoda Khan escapes to his rocky fortress, Shirley, with the help of the slightly mad Mohammet Dihn (Willie Fung), follows Khan, seeks to appease his anger at her grandfather, and tries to bring the two men together in peace. Shirley stomping her foot in frustration before the howling rebel chieftains and calling them "...very, very mean!" because nobody takes her seriously is a great moment in this movie. Believing the rebels have kidnapped his granddaughter, Colonel Williams leads the regiment against the great steps of the rebel fortress, and bloody conflict looms.

This movie succeeds for several reasons. Shirley Temple in an action-adventure flick sounds unlikely, but the result is delightfully entertaining. The portrayal of British colonialism reminds the viewer of movies such as "Gunga Din" and Errol Flynn's "Charge of the Light Brigade." John Ford's direction adds a comfortable blend of action, sentiment, and humor. In characteristic John Ford fashion, there is effective use of music (pipes and drums), especially during an emotionally wrenching military funeral segment. Shirley Temple had progressed from her "Good Ship Lollipop" days, and presents a slightly more grownup version of America's sweetheart. Don't worry! Her trademark curls are intact. Cesar Romero, obviously not Indian, does well as the melancholy rebel chief. C. Aubrey Smith is appropriately Kiplingesque as the stuffy colonel. The very Irish Victor McLaglen is amusing as the Scottish sergeant. Nothing particularly artistic to report of this movie, but it's great fun for kids of all ages. Make the popcorn, gather the family around, and enjoy the ride.

I've never had the chance to see this film, because it's only on video!
I'm from Britain, so this video format won't work on my machine!
I'm collecting Shirley Temple films on DVD's!

I know from the film 'Child Star - The Shirley Temple Story (2001)' which stars 'Ashley Rose Orr' as the young child 'Shirley Temple' with two other actress' playing her other ages.
That this actress who plays Shirley Temple recreates some of her film scenes.
And on 'Wee Willie Winkie', there's one scene of her singing 'Auld Lang Syne', which I'd love to see in this film!

So, please vote for this film to be released on DVD!

While not my favourite Temple film, this was quite popular in it's day and the children should like it (especially since the colorization process has improved substantially). Shirley goes to live with her paternal Grandfather (C. Aubrey) with her mother (June Lang) in India. Queen Victoria's Regiment is the theme of the plot and in order to get her Grandfather's love and respect, Shirley goes to McLaglen and asks that he make her a soldier! Caesar Romero is good as Temple's Hindu confidante and Temple is credited for ending war. Ponderous and not terribly exciting, the military drills are rather impressive and the colour looks amazingly natural; a semi-classic which should appeal to younger kids.

Rudyard Kipling stories have always translated well to film and television, think The Jungle Book, The Man Who Would Be King, and Wee Willie Winkie is no exception. In India in 1897, young Priscilla Williams and her mother Joyce are traveling by train to a remote British outpost commanded by Priscilla's grandfather. Upon arriving, Priscilla finds out that her grandfather doesn't quite know how to interact with little girls so she decides her best option to get to know him is to become a soldier. With the help of the friendly Sgt. Donald McDuff, Priscilla tries to become a soldier, and with a new name at that, Private Wee Willie Winkie. There is something undescribable about this film that makes it so good. It hits all the right notes throughout. Seen through Wee Willie Winkie's eyes, everything is very innocent and child-like, an example being she can't see why the British and Indians are at war. All this just makes the movie work that much better. Everything is working well here, so don't miss this movie.

Shirley Temple gives one of her best performances as Priscilla Williams, a precocious little girl who is always curious and therefore always asking questions. She's able to do the comedic and dramatic scenes equally well. Victor McLagen is incredible as Sgt. Donald MacDuff, the soldier who befriends Priscilla and teaches her to become a soldier, giving her a new name and a pint size uniform, toy rifle and all. Temple and McLaglen's scenes together are what takes this movie from a very good to a great movie, especially their last scene together. It's too bad the always reliable McLaglen didn't get some kind of recognition for his role here. C. Aubrey Smith plays Colonel Williams, Priscilla's grandfather and commander of the post who initially doesn't know how to interact with his granddaughter but ends up becoming very close. June Lang is good in a small part as Joyce, Priscilla's widowed mother trying to adjust to her new life with a crush on the outpost, "Coppy" as Priscilla calls him, Lt. Brandes. And a young Cesar Romero rounds out the main cast as Khoda Khan, a leader of the Indian opposition to the British. He too has some very strong scenes with Temple.

Now, I haven't seen the VHS so I can't answer to its quality, but the movie is now available in DVD format as part of the "Ford at Fox" collection. I can't say you should buy the whole set, it's pretty expensive, for one movie, but if you like John Ford movies, especially his early ones, then the set is a safe buy. The disc for Wee Willie Winkie doesn't have any special features, but it offers the black and white version and the tinted version. Th B&W version looks very good and cleaned up from some TV versions. So if you get a chance, watch Wee Willie Winkie, you won't be disappointed!

If you care about whether the film you are watching is in the original black and white or colorized, you won't get much help from the product description for this version of the film. Buyer beware.

I'm a huge Shirley Temple fan and as an adult this is probably my favorite movie of hers since she really acts... the kiddies probably won't like this one and the people who are not die hard core Shirley fans will also find this movie boring. But, in my opinon its one of her better movies.

Take into account there is no singing or dance squences instead there are battles, and a lot of gore. You might want to view it yourself before you watch it with your children or grand-children! The story takes place in India when the British were still occupying it Shirley and her widow mother move onto a army base to be with her grandfather. But, they move when the area is on the brink of war with the natives. Shirley trying to please her grandfather asks Sgt. Mc.Duff to help her train to be a solider and Shirley manages to capture the hearts of all those on the base. MacDuff tragically dies Shirley has to deal with the loss of a good friend and trys to make peace with the natives who threten war. In the end Shirley manages to have the two sides compromise.

In her first real acting role Shirley does a steller job showcasing all of her talent, ability, and spark that made her the star of her time. Temple fans and old movie fans this can't be missed!

This Shirley Temple film is one of my least favorites and is not suitable for young children-they'll just be bored. Shirley doesn't dazzle her audience with her musical talents, which gives the movie a downside already. She plays a prim and proper English daughter named Pricilla living in India with her grandfather (a colonel) and mother on military grounds. She then decides she wants to be a member of her grandfather's army to make him proud of her. Her soldier name becomes Wee Willie Winke. The movie is very boring and very much drags it's story line. At the end, Shirley saves the world from war. Although the movie is dull, I must ammit Shirley is a very good actress in the movie. She is dramatic, sweet, and tough. The only reason "Shirley lovers" should buy this movie is to see her great display of acting talent.