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Crappy film

Wow! What a bizarre film! Unfortunately the few funny moments there were were quite overshadowed by it's completely weird and random vibe throughout.

The movie is wildly uneven but lively and timely - in its own surreal way

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

Captain January is Shirley Temple at her best. The film is a remake of a silent film that starred Hobart Bosworth and Baby Peggy. I can't imagine that it is any better than this one.The title role is played by Guy Kibbee who is a lighthouse keeper on the New England coast. Kibbee rescued Shirley from a ship wreck, but other than a photo album has no clue to her identity. Shirley is now a mascot of sorts in the town where the lighthouse is located. The only disturbance to Kibbee's tranquility is the marriage minded Jane Darwell.That all ends when a new truant officer comes to town played by Sara Haden best known for being the maiden aunt who lived with the Hardy family. She's a severe maiden in this film in fact she looks like she could be auditioning for Ms. Gulch and the Wicked Witch of the West in this film. Of course it all works out in the end for our little moppet and for her guardian Captain January.Highlight of the film is Shirley dancing with Buddy Ebsen in the Codfish Ball number. Slim Summerville has an important role her also as Kibbee's best friend and occasional voice of reality.Captain January holds up well today for the kid in all of us.

Let's see...Shirley Temple's best film? Probably not. I would give that kudo to "Heidi". But this is darned good, and one of the few that I actually remember watching as a child...over 50 years ago. In fact, whenever I see Guy Kibbee in an old movie, I think also of this film. And, this is the only film I think of when Buddy Ebsen comes to mind. And then there's that spritely tune "At The Codfish Ball", and the memorable dancing with Ebsen.Temple really was quite remarkable for her age, and while it is easy to criticize the sentimentality of the 1930s, why not just sit back and enjoy the flick. No, it isn't in the same league as films today...but thank goodness.Sometimes supporting casts simply do their jobs. Here they shine. Guy Kibbee is delightfully gruff as Captain January, the lighthouse keeper who adopted Starr (Temple). Slim Summerville is just right as the slightly goofy but lovable Captain Nazro, January's friend (and their mock arguments are a hoot). Sara Haden is the stern truant officer (whom you may recognize as Andy Hardy's aunt). And the wonderful Jane Darwell is on hand as a widow smitten with Captain January.It's been about 50 years since I saw this flick, and I still remembered the ending. That's good film-making!

I like this movie because of how it has such a great happy ending. With the way that mean Truant officer wants to take little Shirley away from the people she has loved and known all her life it starts to look sad for her. Then when one of the men finds out she has an Aunt and Uncle still alive and they come and claim her before that mean truant officer can take her away things start looking good. Then when she is sitting in her room at her Aunt and Uncle's house she is just sitting there staring at the wooden doll that Captain Jaunary made for her. Then her Aunt and Uncle realize they need to do something to cheer her up. Then when they take her to a boat they have purchased and start showing her around she says that she likes it but then she is in for the big surprise. When her Aunt and Uncle call out for the Captain of the boat right there is her old friend Captain January and she is so happy to see him again. Then all of her other friends pop out as the crew! Right there is one of the only movies that the ending is so happy that every time I see it or think about it my eyes bust into tears of joy for that little girl.

Maybe the best all-around movie of Shirley's career in terms of the acting of the entire ensemble and a well-constructed script. Shirley tugs at your heartstrings, of course, but the story never strikes a false note. And some of the scenes of the lighthouse are magnificent. Watch this one with the entire family.