Advertising man Randolph Scott is trying to cast a singing Little Miss America for a radio show, sitting in his office, while assistant Jack Haley deals with the stage mothers and their brats. When Shirley Temple sings, that's it, but there's a misunderstanding and everyone goes home. Miss Temple's stepfather, William Demarest has had enough, so he takes her to her aunt Helen Westley's farm, where she charms everyone, including next-door neighbor Scott. When he finds out that she's the girl he's wanted -- besides Miss Temple's cousin, Gloria Stuart -- joy reigns supreme, except for Mrs. Westley, who wants nothing to do with show business. So they arrange a secret hookup at Randolph's house. When Demarest hears her performance, dollar signs flash in his eyes.
Although I remember almost none of this from when I read Kate Douglas Wiggin's 1903 book, that was more than sixty years ago, so I trust I can be forgiven for that. As a movie, it strikes me as a confabulation of bits and pieces from other Temple movies, with a cast she was seen with before, and even a medley of her greatest hits. Still, the big final number has her dancing with Bill Robinson to the Raymond Scott Quintette playing "The Toy Trumpet", so what is there to complain about? With Slim Summerville, Alan Dinehart, J. Edward Bromberg, Paul Harvey, and Franklin Pangborn.
Although I remember almost none of this from when I read Kate Douglas Wiggin's 1903 book, that was more than sixty years ago, so I trust I can be forgiven for that. As a movie, it strikes me as a confabulation of bits and pieces from other Temple movies, with a cast she was seen with before, and even a medley of her greatest hits. Still, the big final number has her dancing with Bill Robinson to the Raymond Scott Quintette playing "The Toy Trumpet", so what is there to complain about? With Slim Summerville, Alan Dinehart, J. Edward Bromberg, Paul Harvey, and Franklin Pangborn.