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The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

We have a first rate cast here, and minimally offensive racial issues for the times, unlike in "The Littlest Rebel". Yes, Bill Robinson and Hattie McDaniel fill roles typically filled by African Americans of the 1870s, as before slavery was abolished, the African Americans often butcher proper English language, and Lionel Barrymore, as Colonel Lloyd, does once call African American children pikaninnies. Hattie serves as housekeeper and cook, and sometimes participates in the action. Robinson serves as Shirley's dance companion and friend ,as well as Colonel Lloyd's butler and companion. Shirley and Robinson do two dances together. The first is the well remembered stair step dance, first Robinson alone, then Shirley joins in, after she sees what Robinson does. Later, they dance together in the stable to "Oh, Suzanna".We have two major conflicts we want resolved. One is between Colonel Lloyd(Barrymore) and the family of his daughter, Elizabeth, which includes Shirley. Colonel Lloyd is a dyed in the wool Southerner and Confederate, this being the 1870s, and Elizabeth's husband is a damned Yankee. To the Colonel, that's the worst thing that could happen to her. The Colonel(who looks very much like Colonel Sanders of Kentucky Fried Chicken fame) and Elizabeth swear they don't want to see each other again. So, it's up to Shirley to try to make amends. She is allowed in the Colonel's mansion, whereas her mother is not. She tries to match the Colonel in bluster, alternating with little girlish fun and tricks. Shirley, is the little Colonel, of course(an honorary rank conferred by the commander of an army outpost in the West). She takes her rank quite seriously, as seriously as does her grandfather, who soon finds out she is as stubborn as he and her mother.The second major conflict is between Shirley's father: Jack, and his 2 prospecting partners. His partners claim there is some gold on their claim, but they still want to sell their shares of the claim to Jack. Their asking price requires all of Jack's savings, but he finally gives in. Bad decision. The supposed evidence for gold is fake, and Jack finds none. He decides to return to Elizabeth and Shirley, who are living in an abandoned cottage Elizabeth inherited from her mother, near Colonel Lloyd's mansion. It appears they may soon have to go to the county poor house unless they can somehow get help from the Colonel. But, they have a lucky day. A railroad representative shows up and offers a handsome sum for rightaway rights on Jack's claim. But the deed is not immediately available, being kept in a bank. So, the representative suggests he return the next day, and leaves. Then, Jack's two old partners show up wanting to buy back their shares in the claim.(How they got the news that the claim is suddenly valuable is not discussed!). When Elizabeth brings the claim document, they pull a gun on them, ordering John to sign over the claim to them. Shirley runs for help from the Colonel, who reluctantly decides to travel to the cottage. He outshoots the one with a pistol as he opens the door. Also, luckily, the sheriff soon arrives, Hattie having fetched him. The Colonel has broken his rule that he would never enter the cottage. Thus, he decides it's time to make a whole-hearted amends. Thus, the swindlers inadvertently solved one problem, while a relay of people simultaneously solved the new problem of the swindlers. Handsome John Lodge, who played Shirley's father, was a member of the politically prominent Lodges, and would enter politics later. Evelyn Venable, who played Shirley's mother was quite beautiful, classy, and smart. Later, she would teach classical Latin and Greek, and sponsor Greek plays.Some of the other musical numbers include a harp solo by Elizabeth at the very beginning, and a combo of "Wade in the Water" and "The Sun Shines brighter", during an outdoor baptism in the river. Shirley was so impressed with the power of this sacrament to wash away one's sins, she pretended to be a minister and dunks her small friend Henry Clay twice, presumably because he had so many sins. Shirley was the dominating personality in the film, as cute and mischievous as ever.

1st watched 12/17/2004 - 4 out of 10(Dir-David Butler): Cute but minimalistic fare from the Olsen Twins of her generation, Shirley Temple. The best parts of this movie are the dance routines with the black slave butler-like character and Miss future Temple-Black. We really don't get enough of these and the story itself, set in post-Civil war times in the south is pretty flimsy and setup just so "the cute one" can save the day with her charm. She is definitely charming, but it doesn't carry this particular movie unless maybe for the younger girls of this generation who also like the similar plot-less "Olsen twin" type movies.

There will never be a child star to match Shirley Temple. A born actress, dancer, and entertainer. In this movie she has an amazing support cast of Lionel Barrymore who plays the part of a crusty grandfather but Shirley with her cute and charming ways soon melts the heart of the old grandfather.Hattie Mac Daniel plays the faithful servant and once again it made you realize just how much these beloved negroes sometimes knew more than " The white folks". The dancing down the steps with "Bojangles Bill Robinson" is something that can make you appreciate the talent of a young and not so young. The story line can be weak in places and the acting might be a bit corny to todays standards but if you need a feel good movie then drag out a Shirley Temple movie . You won't be disappointed.

Crusty old Colonel Lloyd (Lionel Barrymore) is used to having his ornery way so when he finds out his daughter Elizabeth (Evelyn Venable) is determined to run off with Yankee Jack Shermon (John Lodge) to be married, he confronts her in a heated exchange and vows never to see her again if she does, and then she leaves.Several years later Elizabeth, with her husband and their young daughter Miss Lloyd (Shirley Temple), decides to return to a small house that belonged to her mother and which happens to be next door to her stubborn father's home. Obviously there are soon accidental meetings between all concerned, and a few clashes of granddaughter and the elderly Colonel just to see who is the most stubborn! Troubles descend on the Sherman family through some persuasive dishonest men who are out to rob them of their legal rights, and things start to get serious but grandpa comes to the rescue.Becky (Hattie McDaniel) and Walker (Bill Robinson) certainly add some amusing dialog during their stroll, as in spelling out "pohos"; and Robinson's tap dancing is superb. Not surprisingly, little Shirley is right in there keeping pace with him as they both tap dance up the stairs. A great moment in film.Nice family entertainment.