The Littlest Rebel

The Littlest Rebel_720p(480P)

Shirley Temple's natural way with lines and look of pure enjoyment as she shares a tap dance routine with Bill Robinson, is reason enough for Shirley's fans to want to watch THE LITTLEST REBEL. When these two go into their dance steps, it's a pure pleasure to watch. Not so pleasurable is treatment of the North and South and the Civil War, least of all the dim-witted jokes at the expense of the blacks. How far we've come since 1935 is painfully evident throughout much of the story and is bound to be something audiences have to overcome if they care to enjoy the story. Once again, Shirley's father is handsome John Boles and there are plenty of competent adult performers surrounding her--but make no mistake about it, the film belongs to the little star whose wondrous way with song and dance (and lines) makes her the most precocious and precious of all the child stars. Her "Polly-Wolly-Doodle" and "These Endearing Young Charms" are proof positive of her rare talent.

source: The Littlest Rebel

The portrayal of the Civil War is quite good, but the issue of the treatment of slaves isn't bad here. John Boles and Karen Morley (as Mr. and Mrs. Cary) apparently have about as good a rapport with their slaves as one would expect. Both do an excellent job, but Shirley Temple always steals the show. Willie Best is silly as usual (I've seen him be that in several films, so the "dumb slave" stereotype he seems to get is merely comic relief--and I'm not being racist, I think he's wonderful!). Billy "Bojangles" Robinson gets the most spotlight besides Shirley, with John Boles close behind. Boles plays a well-known Confederate spy, but is fascinating when he's quick-thinking and authoritative, and so tender with Shirley--a bit similar to those that "Uncle Billy" has with her. Jack Holt is also noteworthy as a principled Yankee out to capture Cary (as are many more Yanks), but is tender-hearted when he meets Shirley that when her Dad is discovered in his own Yankee uniform, takes a big risk and gives Cary a pass for Shirley to get to Richmond. Cary says he'll never let her out of her arms again, and Colonel Morrison (Jack Holt) said, "I don't think my country expects me to make war on babies." The value placed on human life here is plain in those two lines.

I loved this movie. I think I'm wearing out this video by constantly watching it. I love John Boles. Next to Cary Grant, he has to be the most handsome actor during the thirties. His voice just sends chills up my spine. He played a great father figure then. I think what makes him so sexy and unique is that mustache. Clark Gable had the mustache, but John's is much sexier. Shirley Temple was just absolutely wonderful in this movie. She's great in every movie. But seeing her playing besides John, makes it even better. I also liked "Bogangles" Robinson. His talent should always be recognized. He was a great dancer, and great humanitarian. I also enjoyed the song Polly Wolly Doodle all day. The most compassionate scene is when Captain Curry came home to see his wife before she died. It made me cry. I will always like when Vergie and Uncle Billy sing Polly Wolly doodle, and when they do that dance during the scene to make money to see President Lincoln. Nana Nana Na na na. Na na na na na na na. The dancing was great with Uncle Billy and Vergie. The steps were in sync. Love ya'll

This film is absolutely my favorite of all Shirley Temple films I've ever seen. Why? Shirley's not just an Orphan(as in most of her films)that is adored by everybody and is adopted by a happy family at the end. This film is certainly a family film, that can be watched by kids and by adults with no doubts. It has a heart-warming story, that teaches how was the relationship between the Yankees and the other ones(sorry can't remember the name right now), and how the racism at the thirties was, of course it's not directly shown in the movie. And the scene when Virgie(Temple) meets the President Lincoln is such a sweetie(that scene is very remembered over here, it's in a very famous book too). And, as in almost all of her movies, Shirley shows her sweet smiles, dances with Bill Robinson and sings one of her cutest songs ever!(Polly-Wolly-Doodle). Anyway, Shirley is sweet as always and giving a great performance!

The Littlest Rebel is probably one of Shirley Temple's infamous and most controversial movie that she has starred in. It is extremely sympathetic toward the Confederate side of the Civil War but the eternal charm that Shirley Temple gives in each of her movies can't help being repressed. The story is simple. Shirley T plays a little Southern girl named Virgie Cary a adorable moppet who seems to hold the social graces that would put Emily Post to shame. Because she is so cute and polite, everyone finds her irresistible. Oh! She is also a TERRIFIC tap dancer to boot! One sunny afternoon (April 12th) while she is celebrating her birthday, news flies in the door that Fort Sumter was fired upon and The War between the States has begun! Virgie is the child of Southern parents on a beautiful plantation with the happiest bunch of slaves that you ever seen---so we know what side her father will fight for. Life for Virgie changes somewhat after that. Like any child in the Civil War, she misses her father who has gone off to battle. But Virgie has incredible spunk and bravery when she confronts the "Yankee" army and actually seems to want to do battle with them when some of the soldiers get mean with her and try to steal from her home and pushes her mother roughly down the stairs. Luckily, her bravery and stubborn pluck captures the heart of a Union Commander who later tries to help her father. When Virgie's mother is stricken with an illness and dies, her father is captured and the kind Union Commander is also implicated. There is only one person who can save them....Can Virgie charm the socks off of Abraham Lincoln in Washington D.C and get a reprieve for them? African American's will not view this movie favorably because it shows a preposterous view of the treatment of slavery. The slaves seemed so happy that they don't want to leave. The Cary's seem to be kind slave owners---the slave quarters are furnished tastefully like a roadside motel. There are no beatings or mention of abuses. Of course, there are dreadful black stereotypes like John Henry. But the most interesting actor besides Shirley T is Bill "Bojangles" Robinson whom I consider one of the greats in tap dancing. Temple and Robinson enjoyed a very close friendship outside the studio. It was said when Temple saw Bill Robinson on a movie set, she had a mad compulsion to run up to him, take him by the hand, tug at him and look into his eyes and smile. When Bill Robinsonlooked down and saw her tugging at his hand, he couldn't resist her childish charm and smiled back at her. Temple maintained that "Uncle Billy" was the one adult who never treated her like a child but as an equal adult. Robinson said that Temple was one of the most talented young person when it came to dance--all he had to do was show her a routine twice and she picked it up immediately. Robinson also displayed a fatherly protective figure with Temple. A story was said that when Temple married John Agar, Robinson congratulated him but said "Be good to my little girl or I'll kill you" If you watch the interaction between these two on film, you could see Shiley Temple's eyes light up like a Christmas tree. I am sure that they felt some type of respect for each other off screen that carried into their outside lives. Relationships between black and white actors were not forbidden at that time but they were not encouraged. But we could say Temple and Robinson have been dubbed the first inter-racial couple on screen. Despite the false picture of slavery, The Littlest Rebel entertains us thanks to the talents of Bill Robinson and Shirley Temple. There is a tap dancing scene halfway in the picture that can't be missed. Sure, the plot is campy and corny, and Shirley's sugar sweet demure is gut wrenching---but for some reason it entertains.

During the War for Southern Independence, THE LITTLEST REBEL, all of 6 years old, defies the Yankee soldiers with spunk & courage. 20th Century Fox gave this film a rather lavish production, knowing they would recoup all their costs because they had a box-office bonanza in Shirley Temple. The Diminutive Dynamo does not disappoint. Oozing charm from every pore, she establishes her complete dominance of the movie early on and never relinquishes it. Either defiant or disarming, she is equally delightful. John Boles & Karen Morley play Shirley's parents and do quite well, especially considering that they're really only there to help showcase the Mighty Tyke's talents. Jack Holt gives a sympathetic performance as a ‘good' Yankee, while Guinn Williams is properly villainous as a rotten one. Willie Best steals a scene or two as a timid slave, and Frank McGlynn Sr. scores in his few minutes as Abraham Lincoln (yes, the Great Emancipator is not immune to Shirley's tears). The legendary Bill Robinson has a sizable role as a faithful slave of Shirley's family. He plays the part with grace & dignity, flashing a smile that is every bit as engaging as hers. His dancing is beyond praise - as always - and in little Miss Temple he has a partner who can match him step for step. It should be noted that there is quite a bit of racism in the film, showing that Hollywood of the 1930's had much in common with the America of the 1860's. Shirley sings ‘Believe Me If All Those Endearing Young Charms' & ‘Polly Wolly Doodle.'

I almost believe Shirley could end a war single-handed. Not the entire war, of course, but a few regiments from each side, camped across a creek from each other, going over their plans for tomorrow's battle... but wait! What's that noise? Why, it sounds like singing! And tap dancing! Then from out of nowhere, floating down the creek on a raft is little Shirley herself, singing 'Those Endearing Young Charms' in her prettiest dress, a pink bow in her hair. Hooray! shout the rebs, Hooray! shout the yanks! The generals from each side wade out to meet her and carry little Shirley off on their shoulders to the White House where an oddly blond-bearded Abe Lincoln asks her help in ending the war, reconstructing the south, appeasing the slaves, preventing his own assasination, working things out with Mary, and sobering up Grant. Accomplishing this in less time than it takes to curl her hair, our three-foot heroine bids a tearful farewell to America and sails to Germany, where she charms the baby Kaiser out of starting World War I.

At her Richmond birthday party, six-year-old Shirley Temple (as Virginia "Virgie" Cary) is delighted when dutiful dancing slave Bill "Bojangles" Robinson (as "Uncle Billy") entertains on cue. The towering tap-dancer doesn't understand slavery. And yet, Mr. Robinson is one of the smarter servants in the cast. The others, led by Willie Best (as James Henry), can most politely be described as mentally challenged. The outbreak of the US Civil War disrupts Ms. Temple's happy life. Handsome father John Boles (as Herbert Cary) is called to duty, and "The Littlest Rebel" must see President Lincoln himself, to set things right... Unless some subversive statement is being made by having the confederate "Curly Top" leading a group of Black children in white-coned caps, the motive is strictly to entertain. However, the story features abhorrently rampant racism. Here, the slaves are happy to serve the obviously superior white folks - and why shouldn't they? They wouldn't know how to say, "Emancipation Proclamation," let alone understand slavery. Other racially problematic films have some depth to the characters, attempt to honestly reflect the times, or advance film as an art. You have little of that, here. Temple and Robinson dance appealingly together, however. *** The Littlest Rebel (12/19/35) David Butler ~ Shirley Temple, Bill Robinson, John Boles, Willie Best