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It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties.

Watching it is like watching the spectacle of a class clown at their best: you laugh at their jokes, instigate their defiance, and "ooooh" when they get in trouble.

Shirley Temple was her adorable best in this 1937 marvelous film. Orphaned and living with a nasty aunt, the latter drops her at the door of her hermit grandfather, a bitter man who cursed the town in siding with his son who married a girl he didn't approve of.With that Temple charm, she is able to soften grandfather and he even shows up in church among the town people. All goes well until the aunt reappears and takes the girl to the house she is working at, to be of comfort to a young girl in a wheelchair. Mary Nash steals the scenes she is in as the woman taking care of the girl, making sure she doesn't walk so she can stay on and make loads of money.Nash begins to get what she deserves, especially in the monkey scene where a monkey throws things at her.Heidi is happy with the girl but wants to go home. Her grandfather sets out to bring her home.When Sidney Blackmer, the girl's father, returns home for Christmas, and discovers how cruel the Nash character is, he discharges her and she then grabs Heidi and plans to sell her to gypsies before Heidi runs off only to be caught by the wicked Nash.How Heidi finally reunites with her grandfather is exciting and how Nash tries to fool the authorities by saying that she is the girl's mother makes this a memorable film.

I am no expert on "Heidi". I know it's a super-famous book and I've seen a few of the movies. But what I do know is that this Twentieth Century-Fox version was FAR from the original tale. It's still entertaining, but it's not "Heidi".The story begins in the German mountains. This is odd, as it was actually supposed to be Switzerland and I wonder why the studio changed this--especially in light of the rising oppression in Nazi Germany. It begins with Heidi's aunt bringing the girl to live with her Grandfather. He has no interest in the child or anyone else, as he long ago disowned his child and became a hermit. But, VERY quickly (much more quickly than it should), Heidi brings out the man's love and humanity and all is well. However, the aunt returns to kidnap the child (not in the original story) and the rest of the tale is set in Frankfurt--where Heidi becomes the companion of a disabled girl. This portion of the story is somewhat like the original, though there was no kidnapping and the housekeeper was NOTHING like the original--and instead of just being stuffy, she's evil and a criminal who eventually tries to sell Heidi to gypsies!!! Again, certainly NOT in the original story. But, in the end, all is finally well and Heidi is returned to her loving grandfather.If you have never read or seen a film based on the original story, the 1937 version is wonderful. As usual, Shirley Temple is great and I can even forgive the totally unnecessary song and dance number inexplicably inserted into the movie. Having watched the 1993 Noley Thornton version which closely follows the story, however, I know that the story can be a lot better. Decent but see the 1993 version instead...or in addition.

I did not know the story of Heidi and thought it would be boring. This movie proved me wrong. Although the descriptions of her grandfather as "mean", "grouchy" or "crotchety" seem more than a bit exaggerated.I have some problems with the film -- first and foremost that the goal seems to be presenting Shirley Temple as adorable. Did the character of Heidi need to be so precious? What if she was a plain, average child? The point should be about the relationship between the grandfather and Heidi. Taking the focus off of them and putting it on her is a serious mistake.All in all, I was greatly entertained and for 1937 the film is of great quality. Whether or not it should be called a classic depends on your definition.

This was the first Shirley Temple film I had seen. Shirley plays Heidi, a little girl goes to live with her grandfather in the Swiss Alps. Her aunt Dede 'kidnaps' and takes her to Germany. A good movie with wonderful actors/actresses, and something the whole family can enjoy! 10 out of 10 stars.