It's hard to picture America's little cherubic darling Shirley Temple in anything but a 'nice' film, yet here she is in a strange and rather off-putting short as a four-year old femme fatale (!) figure.
She dances for the boys complete with diaper and over-sized safety pin, creates havoc between two young male chums who vie for her attention, is bribed by the offer of lollipops and skulls milk as if it were beer! Yes, Shirley sure is different here.
It's purpose is to satirize adult behavior- the milk 'bar' representing a pub, Shirley the 'femme fatale' etc. Most of the gags come from situations involving the children's consumption of milk and the crude inclusion of a stereotypical Afro-American boy.
This one is only very mildly humorous today- it's more interesting as a historical relic showcasing the vast difference between our rigidly politically-correct society and the attitudes of 1930's audiences. Seen today, it treads a very thin line between vulgar, misguided humor and soft-core child pornography. These 'Baby Burlesk' (sic) shorts could NEVER be made today.
I didn't enjoy it, but if you're a Shirley fan or are interested in Hollywood film-making through the years, I guess you could take a look.
She dances for the boys complete with diaper and over-sized safety pin, creates havoc between two young male chums who vie for her attention, is bribed by the offer of lollipops and skulls milk as if it were beer! Yes, Shirley sure is different here.
It's purpose is to satirize adult behavior- the milk 'bar' representing a pub, Shirley the 'femme fatale' etc. Most of the gags come from situations involving the children's consumption of milk and the crude inclusion of a stereotypical Afro-American boy.
This one is only very mildly humorous today- it's more interesting as a historical relic showcasing the vast difference between our rigidly politically-correct society and the attitudes of 1930's audiences. Seen today, it treads a very thin line between vulgar, misguided humor and soft-core child pornography. These 'Baby Burlesk' (sic) shorts could NEVER be made today.
I didn't enjoy it, but if you're a Shirley fan or are interested in Hollywood film-making through the years, I guess you could take a look.