Crusty lighthouse keeper Guy Kibbee (as Captain January) gently rouses a sleeping Shirley Temple (as Star) from her slumber. She sings and dances while getting dressed, and washes her cute face while magically putting on her pants and shirt. Little Miss Temple is estimated to be old enough for the third grade, but since she washed up from the Maine coast, Mr. Kibbee can't be sure of the girl's exact age. Local inspector Slim Summerville (as Captain Nazro) is like a surrogate uncle. Temple enjoys song and dance time with rubbery-legged fisherman Buddy Ebsen (as Paul Roberts). He would like to marry schoolteacher June Lang (as Mary Marshall), but the halibut aren't swimming...
The fact that Temple lives with Kibbee and doesn't attend school irks newly appointed "truant officer" Sara Haden (as Agatha Morgan). It doesn't help that mean Ms. Haden walks in on Temple's guardians showing off a series of revealing tattoos. A "hula dance" by Temple was cut from the film, lest the star appear sexually suggestive; considering Temple is briefly seen donning her "grass skirt" while talking to Mr. Ebsen, excising the number can be understood. Marriage-minded Jane Darwell (as Eliza Croft) has a good supporting role. Also watch for "know-it-all" nephew Jerry Tucker (as Cyril Morgan) to forget 1492, and future "Bowery Boy" William "Billy" Benedict (as Bud) to deliver some bad news...
Everything moves a nice pace, with seeming spontaneity and a sprinkling of whimsy; of course, it's really all very predictable (and a re-working of the 1924 silent starring "Baby" Peggy and Hobart Bosworth). The surreal interlude with Temple and Kibbee exchanging roles is a marvelously inserted piece of magic; it also ends at just the right moment, if you're paying close attention. With a fine soundtrack highlighted by "The Right Somebody to Love" (covered by The Mamas & The Papas as the lead song for their 1968 album) and "At the Codfish Ball", plus a perfect co-starring characterization by Kibbee, "Captain January" is quintessential Temple. She made better movies, but became a more calculating performer...
This film is would serve as an excellent first (and possibly last) look at Shirley Temple, especially for young children.
********* Captain January (4/17/36) David Butler ~ Shirley Temple, Guy Kibbee, Slim Summerville, Buddy Ebsen
The fact that Temple lives with Kibbee and doesn't attend school irks newly appointed "truant officer" Sara Haden (as Agatha Morgan). It doesn't help that mean Ms. Haden walks in on Temple's guardians showing off a series of revealing tattoos. A "hula dance" by Temple was cut from the film, lest the star appear sexually suggestive; considering Temple is briefly seen donning her "grass skirt" while talking to Mr. Ebsen, excising the number can be understood. Marriage-minded Jane Darwell (as Eliza Croft) has a good supporting role. Also watch for "know-it-all" nephew Jerry Tucker (as Cyril Morgan) to forget 1492, and future "Bowery Boy" William "Billy" Benedict (as Bud) to deliver some bad news...
Everything moves a nice pace, with seeming spontaneity and a sprinkling of whimsy; of course, it's really all very predictable (and a re-working of the 1924 silent starring "Baby" Peggy and Hobart Bosworth). The surreal interlude with Temple and Kibbee exchanging roles is a marvelously inserted piece of magic; it also ends at just the right moment, if you're paying close attention. With a fine soundtrack highlighted by "The Right Somebody to Love" (covered by The Mamas & The Papas as the lead song for their 1968 album) and "At the Codfish Ball", plus a perfect co-starring characterization by Kibbee, "Captain January" is quintessential Temple. She made better movies, but became a more calculating performer...
This film is would serve as an excellent first (and possibly last) look at Shirley Temple, especially for young children.
********* Captain January (4/17/36) David Butler ~ Shirley Temple, Guy Kibbee, Slim Summerville, Buddy Ebsen