Amazon.com

For one-stop convenience, you can't beat this handy compilation of Laurel & Hardy classics. Although it's modestly priced and packaged, this DVD packs plenty of extras along with Stan & Ollie's finest feature and several of the comedy duo's best-loved "talkie" shorts. Sons of the Desert (1933) is the crown jewel in any L&H collection, and with Charley Chase as their stellar comedy costar, the boys reached the pinnacle of their unique partnership, playing a pair of Fez-wearing "Sons of the Desert" sneaking off to a convention in Chicago, but their wives discover the ruse with hilarious results. For L&H fans, it simply doesn't get any better than this, although 1932's "The Music Box" shares equal status--and a 1932 Oscar® for Best Comedy Short--in the L&H pantheon. The remaining shorts on the disc ("Another Fine Mess," "Busy Bodies," and "County Hospital") were produced during the prime of Stan & Ollie's sound-era success (1930-33), each boasting their own timeless bits and flawless routines. Abundant laughs are virtually guaranteed.

Most of the bonus material pays tribute to legendary comedy producer Hal Roach, who first partnered Stan & Ollie in 1926. A film-clip tribute includes interviews with comedy greats like Mel Brooks and Steve Allen, and on-screen articles explore Roach's career in greater detail. A "then and now" photo tour provides an historic tour of Roach Studio locations in Culver City, California, and text biographies are provided for Roach, Laurel, and Hardy. In addition to the films themselves (which never looked or sounded better), these extras make this Laurel & Hardy DVD a perfect choice for old and new fans alike. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (45)

LAUREL AND HARDY FOREVER
Somewhere in the world, every minute of every day, someone's laughing at a Laurel and Hardy comedy. That's a pretty good legacy. The best, most beloved comedy team made about 100 films in 25 years. Laurel & Hardy, Volume 1 (Artisan) is a single disc with five digitally re-mastered (e-wash, audio fixes and signal corrections) titles. Included are the feature Sons of the Desert and the "two-reelers" Busy Bodies, County Hospital, Another Fine Mess and the The Music Box (1932 Oscar© winner for Best Comedy Short). Limited bonus material includes biographies and a "Then & Now Location Tour." Stan Laurel was a genius, it's said he could stand still in front of a night club audience and bring them to screaming hysterics without saying a word. But more than that, the almost mystical on screen relationship of Stan and Ollie, and their genuine off-screen friendship, had at it's roots something about unconditional love in the midst of chaos that still connects. Highest recommendation.

It's been a long wait for these L&H titles to make it to DVD. Let's hope that this is the first in a long, long series of their restored films on digital discs. Contact Artisan Entertainment in Santa Monica, California.

DIGITAL STAN & OLLIE
Somewhere in the world, every minute of every day, someone's laughing at a Laurel and Hardy comedy. That's a pretty good legacy. The best, most beloved comedy team of all time made about 100 films in 25 years. Laurel & Hardy, Volume 1 (Artisan) is a single disc with five digitally re-mastered (e-wash, audio fixes and signal corrections) titles. Included are the feature Sons of the Desert and the "two-reelers" Busy Bodies, County Hospital, Another Fine Mess and the The Music Box (1932 Oscar© winner for Best Comedy Short). Limited bonus material includes biographies and a "Then & Now Location Tour."

Stan Laurel was a genius, it's said he could stand still in front of a night club audience and bring them to screaming hysterics without saying a word. But more than that, the almost mystical on screen relationship of Stan and Ollie, and their genuine off-screen friendship, had at it's roots something about unconditional love in the midst of chaos that still connects.

Highest recommendation.

"Hard boiled eggs and nuts!"
I don't know why the people who have this DVD are complaining about the transfers being bad, that's rubbish. Their all hard boiled eggs and nuts!

Slightly Dissenting Opinion
O.K.,so this isn't the sharp,new restoration seen in Europe.But at least the prints of MUSIC BOX and COUNTY HOSPITAL have some of that crisp sunny look that one also associates with the best prints of silent comedies[especially in the Robert Youngson complilations.]I think the exteriors on HOSPITAL are brighter than they were on the 80's LAUREL AND HARDY SHOW package,and the greys are pretty good for a Film Classics print.BUSY BODIES is dark in comparison,but at least it's better than those contrasty 16MM prints that were once the norm.I think that the transfer of MUSIC BOX is the one prepared by Janus in 1978 for public TV,because I recall being struck by the clear sound quality[hiss notwithstanding]and this is duplicated on the DVD.I would love to find out why the Kirsch group restorations were not used.I know that Kirsch went bankrupt.Maybe Hallmark and Kinowelt are having some kind of feud.

Picture and sound worse than European releases
The picture and sound of this DVD are worse compared with the European release. On the other hand it's unfair to compare an NTSC release with a PAL version - anyway the difference is obvious since the masters are different and the master of the German Kinowelt release or the master of the British release (which is the same) is much better. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

OUTSTANDING TRANSFER OF A SPARKLING MUSICAL!
After their resounding success in "You'll Never Get Rich" it remained kismet that Fred Astaire and Rita Hayworth would reunite for another glossy film musical. The project; "You Were Never Lovelier" is a valiant successor to the aforementioned and, in truth, excels beyond the expectations of their previous venture. Astaire plays a penniless hoofer from New York who, through a series of mishaps, comes to the attention of Senior Acuna (Adolph Menjou) while on a vacation in Buenos Aires. Acuna has just married off his oldest daughter and, as his family tradition dictates, the rest of his daughters must get married in sequential order. The two youngest daughters are already fixed with a pair of tennis beaux, but the eldest unmarried daughter, Maria (Hayworth) is not only an ice princess of the highest order, but refuses to marry under any circumstance. That is, until she begins receiving orchids from an unknown admirer. The score by Jerome Kern is magnificent; the poignant 'Dearly Beloved', the jazzy 'Shorty George' and the classy 'I'm Old Fashion'. The latter two songs are danced by Astaire and Hayworth with such polish and finesse that it's impossible not to marvel at their grace and style.
THE TRANSFER: Outstanding. While "You'll Never Get Rich" suffered from an overall dated appearance, "You Were Never Lovelier" appears to have been the benefactor of a digital restoration at some point. It's black and white picture is stunning and smooth. There are brief and minor occasions where fine details slightly shimmer, but these do not distract from your visual pleasure. Fine detail is fully realized. There is a resounding absence of age related artifacts. Digital anomalies are not an issue. The audio is mono but exceptionally well balanced - at times sounding very close to having a stereo spread.
EXTRAS: Sorry, none!
BOTTOM LINE: "You Were Never Lovelier" has certainly never looked more lovely than in its DVD incarnation. An absolute must have for your library!

Classic Hollywood musical
A delightful comedic pairing of the ever-babilicious Rita Hayworth and the ever-dashing Fred Astaire... A followup to their earlier hit, "You'll Never Be Rich." The pacing on this film is great -- it hardly drags at all, has a great ensemble and some genuinely funny routines. The action is set in Argentina (although there's nary a bad accent to be heard in the entire film), and Latin bandleader Xavier Cugat provides all the musical backup. He also gets a BIG speaking part -- if you really want to see Cugie in full swing, this movie is the one to check out! His vocalist, the renowned Miguelito Valdes is also featured in a number at the film's start... Astaire, of course, is also a wonder to behold; these songs aren't his best, but he still shines while performing them! Recommended.

One of the very best musicals ever!
I bought this film on laser disc years ago & have watched it at least a dozen times & never tire of watching it - from beginning to end. Starting with Jerome Kern's exquisite melodies (Dearly Beloved is one of those classics that was covered by just about every great jazz group), it's crammed with the finest talent Hollywood, in its prime, had to offer. Astaire never danced better - solo or with Rita. The number with the cane in Acuna's office is absolutely thrilling - hair-raising in its virtuosity & dexterity. I've repeated the Shorty George dance track a dozen times in a row. It gets better each time. Makes you want to dance. Rita really was never lovelier (no one was) - how could one woman be so regal & beautiful & sexy & a sensational dancer all at the same time? What else? Cugat's funny, his band is fabulous & you get to see him do one of his signature caricatures (of Menjou - another one they broke the mold of). It just doesn't get any better than this.

Lush & elegant in B&W.
I think many people were surprised to learn that Hayworth, one of the screen's most beautiful pin-up girls, began as a dancer herself (and under a Latin name, yet). They were probably further surprised to learn that after Astaire and Rogers' stellar partnership, he would be able to find further success following the whirlwind RKO cycle. This movie, a Columbia baby rather than an RKO, comes awfully close to the same light and airy style of the earlier series- right down to the silky b/w photography. And the mistaken identity plot (SPOILER?!) does have an original flavor regarding the gimmick behind nightclub owner Adolphe Menjou: Hayworth plays his gorgeous daughter- the second oldest of four but the only one unattached, and the father's rule is that the girls marry in order of age. The oldest has just married, and Rita is next to be, but by refusing to fall in love under duress, she upsets the matrimonial apple cart. (The whole notion of her being 'frigid' or 'cold' is utter nonsense, but that was the Hollywood stereotype of an alluring and independent woman back then.) Enter Astaire, and some beautiful dance duets- including the tap-happy "Shorty George" and the stunning ballroom turn "I'm Old Fashioned (radiantly staged in a moonlit garden and showing Hayworth off in a fluid black evening gown.)" Hayworth certainly echoes the title of the film, and she and Astaire made for beautiful music in this second of their two films together.

A really good musical!
I highly recommend this film. It has romance, drama, and some comedy. Also the dance number done by Fred Astaire and Rita Hayworth are so beautiful. It's well worth seeing. ... Read more

Amazon.com

A Lady Takes a Chance is probably the best American romantic comedy of the '40s that hardly anyone knew about--at least, in the last three or four decades of the 20th century. That's chiefly because, as a semi-independent production mounted for Jean Arthur by her husband, Frank Ross, the movie couldn't claim a place in any studio archive (It's a Wonderful Life was long neglected for similar reasons). So this lovely gem is ripe for rediscovery, not only for Arthur at her most enchantingly distracted, as a New York gal on a bus tour of the modern Wild West, but also for John Wayne's sly sexiness as the rodeo rider who literally falls into her lap. James Agee, no less, approvingly noted that "Wayne suggests how sensational he might be in a sufficiently evil story about a Reno gigolo." Lady isn't evil, but it's surely a delight. --Richard T. Jameson ... Read more

Reviews (4)

John Wayne and Jear Arthur sizzle onscreen
An unusual wartime comedy-romance, starring the ever-delectable Jean Arthur as a big-city girl who takes a bus tour out West to see some of the world, and gets a real eyeful when she hooks up with John Wayne, a lanky, laconic cowboy who's rambling around on the rodeo circuit. The script is fairly minimal, and many scenes even seem improvised, but what's remarkable is the underlying sexual frankness of the film -- the two meet by accident, and are inexorably drawn together by sheer sexual chemistry. When they finally give in and go out on a real date, they have nothing to say to each other -- the attraction is purely physical. Certain scenes, such as when he invites her up to his hotel room, offers her a drink, and bed to bunk in, are surprisingly raw, at least for the time. Arthur and Wayne also seem to have chemistry together -- in fact, this is the only film in which I've seen him play opposite a gal when the sizzle seemed real... It's a funny film with an offbeat sense of humor, one that's worth seeing particularly if your a fan of Jean Arthur's work... She's about as cute as ever in this one!

Classic Boy-Meets Girl With a Twist.
A LADY TAKES A CHANCE stars Jean Arthur as Molly Truesdale, a young and hip Eastern American woman tired of all her suitors. To escape from them for a spell, she takes a bus-tour west to see America. While out west she literally bumps into Duke Hudkins (John Wayne) at a rodeo. They end up spending the rest of the day together and most of the evening and Molly ends up missing her bus. Duke takes her to the city where she can catch it for the ride home.

Though this is a pretty typical boy-meets-girl movie, there are a lot of elequant touches that make it stand out above the rest. Besides, it's enjoyable watching the Duke play a role so different from the ones he was to become famous for. Jean Arthur is just adorable and makes a grand lady that is at first pursued, but then becomes the pursuer. As a bonus, Phil Silvers has a small role as the bus tour guide. Not only will Wayne fans and oldies fans like this movie, but it makes for a great date picture.

Lassos, leather and laughs
Story of two fish out of water--a city girl in the West, and a cowboy in love. Arthur is, as always, funny, sexy and smart as the bored lady of the title who falls for Wayne, and the Duke gently spoofs his own he-man image. The bar scene, in which Arthur gets her first taste of "red-eye", followed by the wildest bar fight ever filmed and a classic exit line by Wayne, is worth the price all by itself.

Arthur, Wayne Shine in Romantic Comedy!
Jean Arthur sparkles in this wartime comedy, as Molly Truesdale, a sweet, pretty salesgirl overwhelmed by 3 overzealous suitors! To get some peace and quiet, she takes a bus tour out west, a trip that sounded romantic in the travel brochures, but grows tedious, after monotonous days pass, and she has to fend off passes by the tour guide (Phil Silvers, in one of his many terrific comic relief roles of the '40s)!

Truesdale finally decides to combat her 'cabin fever' on the bus by attending a rodeo. She has a wonderful time, until one of the contestants literally falls into her lap! As the two disentangle themselves, she gets a good look at Duke Hudkins (John Wayne), and it's love at first sight!

Duke is the suitor she'd always dreamed of; handsome, virile, and 'all-man', and she begins a pursuit of the cowboy that is both uncharacteristic for her, and confusing for him! Despite warnings from his best friend, Waco (Charles Winninger) that this girl was after more than just a night of partying and passion, Duke invites Molly out, and the innocent city girl experiences her first evening of carousing! When, at evening's end, she puts the brakes on his amorous advances, he discovers she's not just another 'groupie', and that he's falling in love with her, too...nearly as much as he loves his horse!

A romantic comedy of 'opposites' finding true love, 'A Lady Takes a Chance' benefits from the delightful performances of the two leads! Jean Arthur had a Meg Ryan-like quality of projecting both innocence and sexiness, and she makes Molly's transition from 'pursued' to 'pursuer' both believable, and understandable! John Wayne is equally good, sexy and easy-going, yet conveying Duke's confusion at the feelings he has for Molly, and his gradual realization that he'll have to 'take a chance', himself, to earn her love!

True, the tale follows your basic 'boy meets girl-boy loses girl-boy gets girl' scenario, but under the sure direction of pros William A. Seiter (who directed Astaire and Rogers in 'Roberta', and Shirley Temple, in 'Stowaway'), and Henry Hathaway (the legendary filmmaker who would direct Wayne's Oscar-winning performance in 'True Grit', 26 years later), the story has a freshness and charm that is unbeatable!

Whether you're a Wayne and Arthur fan, or you just love a romantic comedy with a happy ending, 'A Lady Takes a Chance' will bring a smile! ... Read more

Reviews (39)

Not Particularly Good - But Entertaining...
I was about to write a review that so many people on this site have repeated: "Shirley Temple is SO cute in this film! She is beleivable and makes you think as a child might about the world. The film was made in lush technicolor and the sets and costumes are lavish!" Then, I thought that I should write a review, honestly stating what I felt about this film. This movie is a popular one, and a very good Shirley Temple vehicle, but it is not a particularly good movie.

I grew up with the Francis Hodgeson Burnett(The Secret Garden) book. I loved it's charm and message. The characters were priceless and the tale was brilliant, melancholy, but beautiful. The tale was about a young girl of seven named Sara Crewe, who has always had a wonderful relationship with her young and wealthy papa, Captain Crewe. When she is seven, she is left with a dissagreeable caretaker named Ms. Minchin in her seminary for 'distinguished young ladies.' As the years pass she makes friendships with the dumpy, comic, and sweet Ermangarde, and the cockny maid, Becky. She is pampered, and treated quite royaly, and is given the nickname of the 'little princess.' On her birthday, it is found out that her papa has passed away, and she is left to work as a scullery maid with nothing but a black frock, and a doll named Emily. Throughout her left as a miserable maid, she keeps her dignity, and the theme of the novel becomes not to let the hate around you make you bitter, and hateful. Sara is eventualy saved, in the end.

The plot of this movie is not at all faithful to the novel. Shirley Temple is only Shirley Temple throughout the film. Her dimples and teary eyes are, in comparison to the Sara of the novel, a baby. Sara of the novel was one 'who never cried' and was 'always dreaming and making up stories.' Temple's Sara cries often throughout the film, and it never dreams as the Sara of the book does. She is just a regular seven year old girl. The characters of Ermengarde, and Ms. Minchin's sister, Miss Amelia, have been either removed completly, or replaced with new characters. This leaves for a very miscast and confused film, that does not offer any of the beautiful lessons of the novel.

As a movie, it might seem entertaining. Throughout the film, a dance sequence with Sara and Miss Minchin's brother, Bertrand, appears. It is commonplace for Temple, also, to have a dance sequence of some sort. This has a 'fairy tale' dance sequence. The script has small bits of humor, but not anything quite so nice.

This is a nice movie, but not a good one to offer the lessons of the original book. All the same, it is best to watch it, as it will offer family entertainment. But, those who read the book will be disapointed.

A candidate for a restoration
The Little Princess remains one of my favorite childhood movie memories. Finding the DVD version was simple enough. I was unaware of how widely the quality varied between the different versions available. The first version I purchased from a Canadian group was horrible. This DVD presentation was reasonable but not striking. The image was grainy and lacked that "Technicolor" brilliance I had hoped for. All of the DVD and VHS versions seem to be made from one film transfer made from an old print. The color rendering is poor. Some scenes appear almost Black and White. Unlike "The WIzard of Oz" or "The Secret Garden" I don't think this was intentional. This version is not transfered from Technicolor stock. I wonder if it was even made from 35 millimeter film. The quality if any in this DVD is from some digital processing available to old video. It does not appear a flying spot scanner or any film restoration equipment was used to create this DVD. The only really nice color image was the cover of the DVD package. I wish someone could find the real Technicolor masters, either the negative or positive film. If you were going to restore one Shirley Temple work, this film would be the one. It is a classic of the time with a glimpse at that time. And Shirley Temple was good in this film. You wipe tears away from your eyes at least twice. And Temple sings a great little song. Did I mention she dances a little too.

watch the remake, please?
This is one of those few times when I like a remake better than the original of a motion picture. I'll confess that, based on this movie, I'm not a Shirley Temple fan (her voice alone is annoying, not to mention her acting ability). She is utterly unconvincing as Sara Crew, and that American accent! Please, can we stop making movies of British literature where all the characters except the main one are truly British? I know this is done so as to appease and appeal to the idiots on our side of the pond, but really, are we so uncultured and stupid, not to mension spoiled, that we won't watch a movie unless it has at least one American actor playing a prominent role? If I had to choose between these two movies, I'd definitely see the 1990's version of this one; at least there, all the characters are Americanized, so one doesn't stick out like a sore thumb. Lisel Matthews' performance is enchanting, and the movie all around is delightful.

Dreadful Audio
This review is of the Madacy DVD of "The Little Princess." The picture quality of this DVD is acceptable, more or less, but the audio portion is another thing. The sound is limited to a very narrow band in the midrange. Shirley's voice, for example, is quite tinny throughout the film. At times the sound volume changes abruptly or even disappears completely. One has the impression that the DVD audio engineer tried to regulate the sound volume at a single sitting by turning the knob in real time as he listened to the film. This movie has always sounded quite good on broadcast TV, which obviously wasn't playing back this Madacy disaster.

Unfortunately, it would seem that this writer's experience with "The Little Princess" is not unlike others' experiences with Madacy products. Read Doug Pratt's review of "Two Women" in his Video and DVD Guide (available from amazon.com but also readable on DVDLaser.com) and be forewarned. I now avoid Madacy DVDs.

This is one of my favorite Shirley Temple movies
Unlike some of the other reviewers, I absolutely adore this Shirley Temple movie. It is one that brings back many memories of watching Shirley Temple movies with my sister when we were little. My favorite parts are when Shirley and her little friend wake up and see all the beautiful gifts that were given to her by the Indian guy, and when she throws the bucket of soot on the snotty Clarissa, but most of all, when she finds her "Daddy" at the end,as he keeps calling "Sara, Sara."
This one is excellent, and I highly recommend it! ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Two Great Movies
Having read two of the reviews where this DVD was panned I felt after watching it that the reviews were unfair and misleading. The box actually says Heidi is the Maximillian Schell version and not the Shirley Temple version... on the front and the back!

As to the films, the story of a little girl's search for her father and her struggle aginst poverty is a lovely story. Arthur Treacher is a treat to watch as he dances with Shirley Temple in this fantastic story.

Heidi is much the same, a treat for any child, especially young girls.

The prints from this studio are first rate, the sound is perfect. I have to wonder about the motivation of the person who panned this disk. For the price this is a great value and I am very pleased and I am sure you will be too.

where's shirley? quality poor
I was surprised to see that Shirley Temple is not the star in Heidi. I feel that I was mislead. Also, the quality is not up to par. I would spend the extra money and buy the studio release of these films.

Shirley Never Looked So Good!
This is the best print I have ever seen of this film! Hats off to Dallas, TX based film buffs Marengo Films, they really take the time and effort to do it right.

Best Version of This Film Ever!
The Little Princess is one of my all time favorite movies, I have seen it on AMC and other TV stations over the years. I was so impressed by the quality of this film released by Marengo Films!

Heidi is not Shirley Temple
I was extremely disappointed to find that even though this DVD is billed as Shirley Temple that she is only in The Little Princess and not Heidi on the same DVD. Clearly mislabeling and maybe even worse. The Heidi version is from the 1960's and is an unknown Heidi. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Still cute, but mediocre movie.
I couldn't watch this one all the way through, and we returned the rental.

Research Needed on Cover Material
While this is not one of the best of Temple's efforts, the film held your interest and had excellent acting by Frank Morgan and Helen Westley. However, the material on the dvd cover indicated "See the Famous Staircase Dance with Bill Robinson". Unfortunately, that is not in this film. Bill Robinson is not in this film, although he directed some of the dance sequences. I think the people producing these products need to check their research BEFORE they develop the cover materials. While I knew Bojangles was not in this film, there could be others misled by this material.

Disappointing
Shirley Temple, arguably the most famous child star ever, deserves much better treatment than this! 20th Century Fox has released 3 of her movies to DVD (Bright Eyes, Heidi, and Dimples). With no extra features (other than a trailer for Heidi), Fox certainly didn't hurt themselves in packaging these films. In addition, the print used for Dimples is terrible; very grainy and dark. Hopefully for future releases, Fox will dish up some extra features. Heidi is the only one of the three that includes a theatrical trailer. Don't bother with the colorized versions that are on the disks; the colors are garish and bleed badly.

Dimples didn't Help
Shirley is the most precious little girl I've ever seen and this movie did nothing for her ! I am like a huge Temple fan but I think this movie was a waste . I think this was one of her worst films.It hasn't even a good story line. Shirley was cute in it,but the movie was playing boring

Dimples,a lovely and charming film
Hello,I'm from Germany and an absolute Shirley Temple-worshipper. This movie is vintage -shirley, although I have to admit more on the sentimental side. If you love a good cry and lots of musicalnumbers,you will take this one. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Credit this informative review to Michael from Muskogee OK
This is a bland little crime drama that screams for a decent story line and script. Two undercover agents(Fred MacMurray and Claire Trevor)try to bust up a drug-smuggling ring in Mexico. The two not knowing the real identity of the other end up falling in love. MacMurray proves he can play any kind of role. Trevor seems out of place and wrong for the part. Raymond Burr plays a heavy in more ways than one. Also in the cast are: Jose Torvay, Roy Roberts and Don Diamond.

I would add to this that if you want great film noir with Clair Trevor then check out "Key Largo"; as for Fred Mac Murray, "Double Indemnity."

A good movie to see, at least once
I found this movie to be fun to watch. It has a fresh plot, that is kind of noce for a change. I sugest viewing it at least once ... Read more

Reviews (39)

Not Particularly Good - But Entertaining...
I was about to write a review that so many people on this site have repeated: "Shirley Temple is SO cute in this film! She is beleivable and makes you think as a child might about the world. The film was made in lush technicolor and the sets and costumes are lavish!" Then, I thought that I should write a review, honestly stating what I felt about this film. This movie is a popular one, and a very good Shirley Temple vehicle, but it is not a particularly good movie.

I grew up with the Francis Hodgeson Burnett(The Secret Garden) book. I loved it's charm and message. The characters were priceless and the tale was brilliant, melancholy, but beautiful. The tale was about a young girl of seven named Sara Crewe, who has always had a wonderful relationship with her young and wealthy papa, Captain Crewe. When she is seven, she is left with a dissagreeable caretaker named Ms. Minchin in her seminary for 'distinguished young ladies.' As the years pass she makes friendships with the dumpy, comic, and sweet Ermangarde, and the cockny maid, Becky. She is pampered, and treated quite royaly, and is given the nickname of the 'little princess.' On her birthday, it is found out that her papa has passed away, and she is left to work as a scullery maid with nothing but a black frock, and a doll named Emily. Throughout her left as a miserable maid, she keeps her dignity, and the theme of the novel becomes not to let the hate around you make you bitter, and hateful. Sara is eventualy saved, in the end.

The plot of this movie is not at all faithful to the novel. Shirley Temple is only Shirley Temple throughout the film. Her dimples and teary eyes are, in comparison to the Sara of the novel, a baby. Sara of the novel was one 'who never cried' and was 'always dreaming and making up stories.' Temple's Sara cries often throughout the film, and it never dreams as the Sara of the book does. She is just a regular seven year old girl. The characters of Ermengarde, and Ms. Minchin's sister, Miss Amelia, have been either removed completly, or replaced with new characters. This leaves for a very miscast and confused film, that does not offer any of the beautiful lessons of the novel.

As a movie, it might seem entertaining. Throughout the film, a dance sequence with Sara and Miss Minchin's brother, Bertrand, appears. It is commonplace for Temple, also, to have a dance sequence of some sort. This has a 'fairy tale' dance sequence. The script has small bits of humor, but not anything quite so nice.

This is a nice movie, but not a good one to offer the lessons of the original book. All the same, it is best to watch it, as it will offer family entertainment. But, those who read the book will be disapointed.

A candidate for a restoration
The Little Princess remains one of my favorite childhood movie memories. Finding the DVD version was simple enough. I was unaware of how widely the quality varied between the different versions available. The first version I purchased from a Canadian group was horrible. This DVD presentation was reasonable but not striking. The image was grainy and lacked that "Technicolor" brilliance I had hoped for. All of the DVD and VHS versions seem to be made from one film transfer made from an old print. The color rendering is poor. Some scenes appear almost Black and White. Unlike "The WIzard of Oz" or "The Secret Garden" I don't think this was intentional. This version is not transfered from Technicolor stock. I wonder if it was even made from 35 millimeter film. The quality if any in this DVD is from some digital processing available to old video. It does not appear a flying spot scanner or any film restoration equipment was used to create this DVD. The only really nice color image was the cover of the DVD package. I wish someone could find the real Technicolor masters, either the negative or positive film. If you were going to restore one Shirley Temple work, this film would be the one. It is a classic of the time with a glimpse at that time. And Shirley Temple was good in this film. You wipe tears away from your eyes at least twice. And Temple sings a great little song. Did I mention she dances a little too.

watch the remake, please?
This is one of those few times when I like a remake better than the original of a motion picture. I'll confess that, based on this movie, I'm not a Shirley Temple fan (her voice alone is annoying, not to mention her acting ability). She is utterly unconvincing as Sara Crew, and that American accent! Please, can we stop making movies of British literature where all the characters except the main one are truly British? I know this is done so as to appease and appeal to the idiots on our side of the pond, but really, are we so uncultured and stupid, not to mension spoiled, that we won't watch a movie unless it has at least one American actor playing a prominent role? If I had to choose between these two movies, I'd definitely see the 1990's version of this one; at least there, all the characters are Americanized, so one doesn't stick out like a sore thumb. Lisel Matthews' performance is enchanting, and the movie all around is delightful.

Dreadful Audio
This review is of the Madacy DVD of "The Little Princess." The picture quality of this DVD is acceptable, more or less, but the audio portion is another thing. The sound is limited to a very narrow band in the midrange. Shirley's voice, for example, is quite tinny throughout the film. At times the sound volume changes abruptly or even disappears completely. One has the impression that the DVD audio engineer tried to regulate the sound volume at a single sitting by turning the knob in real time as he listened to the film. This movie has always sounded quite good on broadcast TV, which obviously wasn't playing back this Madacy disaster.

Unfortunately, it would seem that this writer's experience with "The Little Princess" is not unlike others' experiences with Madacy products. Read Doug Pratt's review of "Two Women" in his Video and DVD Guide (available from amazon.com but also readable on DVDLaser.com) and be forewarned. I now avoid Madacy DVDs.

This is one of my favorite Shirley Temple movies
Unlike some of the other reviewers, I absolutely adore this Shirley Temple movie. It is one that brings back many memories of watching Shirley Temple movies with my sister when we were little. My favorite parts are when Shirley and her little friend wake up and see all the beautiful gifts that were given to her by the Indian guy, and when she throws the bucket of soot on the snotty Clarissa, but most of all, when she finds her "Daddy" at the end,as he keeps calling "Sara, Sara."
This one is excellent, and I highly recommend it! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Credit this informative review to Michael from Muskogee OK
This is a bland little crime drama that screams for a decent story line and script. Two undercover agents(Fred MacMurray and Claire Trevor)try to bust up a drug-smuggling ring in Mexico. The two not knowing the real identity of the other end up falling in love. MacMurray proves he can play any kind of role. Trevor seems out of place and wrong for the part. Raymond Burr plays a heavy in more ways than one. Also in the cast are: Jose Torvay, Roy Roberts and Don Diamond.

I would add to this that if you want great film noir with Clair Trevor then check out "Key Largo"; as for Fred Mac Murray, "Double Indemnity."

A good movie to see, at least once
I found this movie to be fun to watch. It has a fresh plot, that is kind of noce for a change. I sugest viewing it at least once ... Read more

Reviews (39)

Not Particularly Good - But Entertaining...
I was about to write a review that so many people on this site have repeated: "Shirley Temple is SO cute in this film! She is beleivable and makes you think as a child might about the world. The film was made in lush technicolor and the sets and costumes are lavish!" Then, I thought that I should write a review, honestly stating what I felt about this film. This movie is a popular one, and a very good Shirley Temple vehicle, but it is not a particularly good movie.

I grew up with the Francis Hodgeson Burnett(The Secret Garden) book. I loved it's charm and message. The characters were priceless and the tale was brilliant, melancholy, but beautiful. The tale was about a young girl of seven named Sara Crewe, who has always had a wonderful relationship with her young and wealthy papa, Captain Crewe. When she is seven, she is left with a dissagreeable caretaker named Ms. Minchin in her seminary for 'distinguished young ladies.' As the years pass she makes friendships with the dumpy, comic, and sweet Ermangarde, and the cockny maid, Becky. She is pampered, and treated quite royaly, and is given the nickname of the 'little princess.' On her birthday, it is found out that her papa has passed away, and she is left to work as a scullery maid with nothing but a black frock, and a doll named Emily. Throughout her left as a miserable maid, she keeps her dignity, and the theme of the novel becomes not to let the hate around you make you bitter, and hateful. Sara is eventualy saved, in the end.

The plot of this movie is not at all faithful to the novel. Shirley Temple is only Shirley Temple throughout the film. Her dimples and teary eyes are, in comparison to the Sara of the novel, a baby. Sara of the novel was one 'who never cried' and was 'always dreaming and making up stories.' Temple's Sara cries often throughout the film, and it never dreams as the Sara of the book does. She is just a regular seven year old girl. The characters of Ermengarde, and Ms. Minchin's sister, Miss Amelia, have been either removed completly, or replaced with new characters. This leaves for a very miscast and confused film, that does not offer any of the beautiful lessons of the novel.

As a movie, it might seem entertaining. Throughout the film, a dance sequence with Sara and Miss Minchin's brother, Bertrand, appears. It is commonplace for Temple, also, to have a dance sequence of some sort. This has a 'fairy tale' dance sequence. The script has small bits of humor, but not anything quite so nice.

This is a nice movie, but not a good one to offer the lessons of the original book. All the same, it is best to watch it, as it will offer family entertainment. But, those who read the book will be disapointed.

A candidate for a restoration
The Little Princess remains one of my favorite childhood movie memories. Finding the DVD version was simple enough. I was unaware of how widely the quality varied between the different versions available. The first version I purchased from a Canadian group was horrible. This DVD presentation was reasonable but not striking. The image was grainy and lacked that "Technicolor" brilliance I had hoped for. All of the DVD and VHS versions seem to be made from one film transfer made from an old print. The color rendering is poor. Some scenes appear almost Black and White. Unlike "The WIzard of Oz" or "The Secret Garden" I don't think this was intentional. This version is not transfered from Technicolor stock. I wonder if it was even made from 35 millimeter film. The quality if any in this DVD is from some digital processing available to old video. It does not appear a flying spot scanner or any film restoration equipment was used to create this DVD. The only really nice color image was the cover of the DVD package. I wish someone could find the real Technicolor masters, either the negative or positive film. If you were going to restore one Shirley Temple work, this film would be the one. It is a classic of the time with a glimpse at that time. And Shirley Temple was good in this film. You wipe tears away from your eyes at least twice. And Temple sings a great little song. Did I mention she dances a little too.

watch the remake, please?
This is one of those few times when I like a remake better than the original of a motion picture. I'll confess that, based on this movie, I'm not a Shirley Temple fan (her voice alone is annoying, not to mention her acting ability). She is utterly unconvincing as Sara Crew, and that American accent! Please, can we stop making movies of British literature where all the characters except the main one are truly British? I know this is done so as to appease and appeal to the idiots on our side of the pond, but really, are we so uncultured and stupid, not to mension spoiled, that we won't watch a movie unless it has at least one American actor playing a prominent role? If I had to choose between these two movies, I'd definitely see the 1990's version of this one; at least there, all the characters are Americanized, so one doesn't stick out like a sore thumb. Lisel Matthews' performance is enchanting, and the movie all around is delightful.

Dreadful Audio
This review is of the Madacy DVD of "The Little Princess." The picture quality of this DVD is acceptable, more or less, but the audio portion is another thing. The sound is limited to a very narrow band in the midrange. Shirley's voice, for example, is quite tinny throughout the film. At times the sound volume changes abruptly or even disappears completely. One has the impression that the DVD audio engineer tried to regulate the sound volume at a single sitting by turning the knob in real time as he listened to the film. This movie has always sounded quite good on broadcast TV, which obviously wasn't playing back this Madacy disaster.

Unfortunately, it would seem that this writer's experience with "The Little Princess" is not unlike others' experiences with Madacy products. Read Doug Pratt's review of "Two Women" in his Video and DVD Guide (available from amazon.com but also readable on DVDLaser.com) and be forewarned. I now avoid Madacy DVDs.

This is one of my favorite Shirley Temple movies
Unlike some of the other reviewers, I absolutely adore this Shirley Temple movie. It is one that brings back many memories of watching Shirley Temple movies with my sister when we were little. My favorite parts are when Shirley and her little friend wake up and see all the beautiful gifts that were given to her by the Indian guy, and when she throws the bucket of soot on the snotty Clarissa, but most of all, when she finds her "Daddy" at the end,as he keeps calling "Sara, Sara."
This one is excellent, and I highly recommend it! ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

Shirley Temple stars in this 1939 version of the Frances Hodgson Burnett novel about a little, motherless girl left in the care of a girls boarding school by her soldier father, and then made into a servant there when he's missing in action during World War I. The fine tear-jerking film is a good vehicle for the famous moppet, and director Walter Lang (The King and I) makes a memorably lavish production of the Victorian milieu. The final scene, in which our Shirley is helped by one of the most famous women in history, brings down the house. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

Shirley Temple stars in this 1939 version of the Frances Hodgson Burnett novel about a little, motherless girl left in the care of a girls boarding school by her soldier father, and then made into a servant there when he's missing in action during World War I. The fine tear-jerking film is a good vehicle for the famous moppet, and director Walter Lang (The King and I) makes a memorably lavish production of the Victorian milieu. The final scene, in which our Shirley is helped by one of the most famous women in history, brings down the house. --Tom Keogh ... Read more