Curly Top (1935)

Wealthy Edward Morgan becomes charmed with a curly-haired orphan and her pretty older sister Mary and arranges to adopt both under the alias of "Mr. Jones." As he spends more time with them, he soon finds himself falling in love with Mary.

Director:

Irving Cummings

Writers:

Patterson McNutt (screenplay), Arthur J. Beckhard (screenplay) (as Arthur Beckhard)

Stars:

Shirley Temple, John Boles, Rochelle Hudson

1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Shirley Temple	...	Elizabeth Blair
John Boles	...	Edward Morgan
Rochelle Hudson	...	Mary Blair
Jane Darwell	...	Mrs. Denham
Rafaela Ottiano	...	Mrs. Higgins
Esther Dale	...	Aunt Genevieve Graham
Etienne Girardot	...	Mr. Wyckoff
Arthur Treacher	...	Butler
Maurice Murphy	...	Jimmie Rogers

Storyline

Wealthy Edward Morgan becomes charmed with a curly-haired orphan and her pretty older sister Mary and arranges to adopt both under the alias of "Mr. Jones." As he spends more time with them, he soon finds himself falling in love with Mary.

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Plot Keywords:

remake | ukulele | orphan | protective male | composer | 

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Genres:

Family | Musical | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 July 1935 (USA)

Also Known As:

Boucles d'or

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fox Film Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

75 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Noiseless Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Madame Chiang, the First Lady of China, was such a fan of this film that she arranged for repeat private viewings.

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Goofs

During the benefit gala when Shirley is doing her skit as an old lady she hobbles on stage with a cane then lays it down on the floor next to her rocking chair. When she stands up to dance the cane has disappeared.

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Quotes

Elizabeth: Thank you, sir.
Reynolds: Thank *you*, miss.
Elizabeth: Why, I didn't do anything!

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Crazy Credits

The introductory title credit is followed by an extreme close-up of Shirley Temple's curly top. Shirley then raises her head, and shakes her curls, smiling broadly all the while.

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Alternate Versions

Also available in a computer colorized version.

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Connections

Referenced in Who Wants to Be a Millionaire: Million Dollar Movie Week 4 (2010)

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Soundtracks

Bridal Chorus
(1850) (uncredited)
from "Lohengrin"
Music by Richard Wagner
Played briefly during "When I Grow Up" sequence

User Reviews

Classic Shirley

Being an extremely rebellious teenage girl and a huge Shirley Temple fanatic seemed really odd to everyone who knew me. Not only did I love the strange alternate universe she existed in where little orphan girls can triumph over any tragedy, and sing and dance all the while, but I easily recognized the young actress's remarkable talent and charisma. I can't think of any child star, now or then, who could carry an entire film the way she did every year in the 1930's. She is completely unrivaled. In "Curly Top" she plays Elizabeth Blair, a sweetly precocious orphan who, along with her older sister Mary, is adopted by a kind-hearted wealthy businessman. The musical numbers are absolutely classic, and include the famous "Animal Crackers In My Soup" in which she leads her fellow orphans in a dining room singalong. Then there's the ultra-adorable song n' dance (and jump-rope) number "When I Grow Up", where we get to see little Shirley dress up in various costumes that include a wedding gown and an old lady getup, gray hair and all. Last but not least, Shirley does one of her most famous tapdance numbers on top of a white grand piano in the aptly-titled song "Curly Top". The seasoned supporting cast definitely shines as well. John Boles is extremely charming as the handsome bachelor Edward Morgan, although his piano-accompanied operatic singing can seem a little tedious, especially to younger viewers. One of my favorite actors, Arthur Treacher, expertly plays the quietly sarcastic butler whose stiff exterior quickly melts after befriending young Elizabeth. Treacher is better known for his role in the later Shirley Temple film, The Little Princess, in which he plays the cruel schoolmaster's flamboyant brother, Mr Birdy. Filled with interesting characters and situations, "Curly Top" is such a delightful movie. It's got musical numbers, romance, drama, and comedy, all wrapped up in a cute little package. It's a must-have for Shirley Temple fans, and classic movie fans in general.

~Darlene