This is the third Shirley Temple film, that I also enjoy watching during the Christmas season. Again it is not a Christmas story, but it does takes place at Christmas. This film is also a perfect example of the sweet, kind, and adorable curly-topped little girl, that endeared Shirley Temple to the Depression-era audiences of the 1930s. She sings her famous trademark song " On The Good Ship Lollipop " in Bright Eyes, and deals with the snobby, spoiled brat character, that Jane Withers plays so convincingly. Shirley Temple would never be upstaged again by another child in any of her other films. Another scene stealer in this movie, is Charles Sellon, who is wonderful to watch as the cranky Uncle Ned Smith, who softens so sweetly towards Shirley. A very tender scene takes place Christmas eve, when Shirley says her prayers with her mother, and she hangs the longest stocking on her bedpost. Christmas morning, the happy child excitedly tells Mrs. Higgins ( Jane Darwell ) the housekeeper what Santa Claus brought her, meanwhile bratty Jane is seen tearing through her presents. James Dunn has a prominent and important part in this story, and it's always a delight to watch his scenes with Temple. Unfortunately, in this story the mother is struck by a car and killed, which maybe a difficult moment for little children to understand. But as in all Shirley Temple films, a happy ending always prevails. Bright Eyes is one of those endearing stories, that continues to deliver pure entertainment.
Review of Bright Eyes
Bright Eyes
(1934)
" Shirley Temple Sails on The Good Ship Lollipop "
1 October 2013
Warning: Spoilers