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.'
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.'