People sometimes make fun of Shirley Temple. The fact of the matter is that not only was she precocious, she was incredibly talented. She could sing, dance, and, especially, act. This is the famous story of the little orphan girl who is not wanted and is sent off to live with her reclusive uncle (played beautifully by Jean Hersholt) who initially resents her but recognizes she needs a place. Just when they have bonded and she begins to love him, she is uprooted from this life, place in a family where she is to be the caretaker of a little disabled girl. She is immediately despised by Fraulein Rottenmeier who sees her as a threat, especially when Heidi gets the little girl, Klara, to walk. This is really a good movie with some very memorable characters. It also has the beauty of the Alps as a kind of character. Shirley Temple was one of the most popular actresses of her time and this showed how engaging she could be.
