An unloving aunt deposits cute orphan Shirley Temple (as Heidi) with crusty old grandfather Jean Hersholt (as Adolph Kramer) in the Swiss Alps. People in the small town are concerned about Ms. Temple upbringing, because Mr. Hersholt has become a bitter hermit; he doesn't talk to townsfolk anymore, and has stopped going to church. Not to worry. Hersholt's heart melts as Ms. Temple sings and saunters around the house. She is impossible not to love. Thanks to Temple, Hersholt rediscovers his faith in Jesus Christ (who appears on a bookmark). Temple brings Hersholt to Church, leading the congregation to sing a beautiful hymn.
Then, Temple's nasty aunt returns from Germany. She takes her niece away from Hersholt, having "sold" her as a companion for crippled young Marcia Mae Jones (as Klara Sesemann). Temple is placed in the care of reliably nasty Mary Nash (as Fräulein Rottenmeier, a name Mel Brooks most surely treasured). Temple befriends Ms. Jones, and inspires her to try to walk again. Of course, Hersholt is devastated. He asks God for help in finding Temple, and Temple prays hard, too This interpretation of Johanna Spyri's novel "Heidi" makes its protagonist almost Christ-like, and omits much. But, Temple is at her best throughout.
****** Heidi (10/15/37) Allan Dwan ~ Shirley Temple, Jean Hersholt, Mary Nash, Marcia Mae Jones
Then, Temple's nasty aunt returns from Germany. She takes her niece away from Hersholt, having "sold" her as a companion for crippled young Marcia Mae Jones (as Klara Sesemann). Temple is placed in the care of reliably nasty Mary Nash (as Fräulein Rottenmeier, a name Mel Brooks most surely treasured). Temple befriends Ms. Jones, and inspires her to try to walk again. Of course, Hersholt is devastated. He asks God for help in finding Temple, and Temple prays hard, too This interpretation of Johanna Spyri's novel "Heidi" makes its protagonist almost Christ-like, and omits much. But, Temple is at her best throughout.
****** Heidi (10/15/37) Allan Dwan ~ Shirley Temple, Jean Hersholt, Mary Nash, Marcia Mae Jones