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	...	Reynolds - the 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

In the song "Animal Crackers In My Soup" Shirley Temple sings "Monkeys and rabbits loop de loop". The lyric was written as "Monkeys and lions loop de loop" but Shirley sang the wrong lyrics. There are no rabbit-shaped crackers in animal crackers (and also rabbits are not generally part of a traveling circus) but there are lions amongst the animal shapes.

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Quotes

[both sobbing]
Mrs. Higgins: Henrietta, what are you blubbering about?
Mrs. Denham: I can't help it. I'm so happy.
Mrs. Higgins: There's no need to be sentimental.
Mrs. Denham: Well, what are *you* crying for?
Mrs. Higgins: Why shouldn't I? Why can't I be happy, too?

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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 Suburgatory: Don't Call Me Shirley (2011)

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Soundtracks

When I Grow Up
(1935) (uncredited)
Music by Ray Henderson
Lyrics by Edward Heyman
Sung by Shirley Temple
Reprised a cappella by Billy Gilbert, Arthur Treacher, and then Esther Dale

User Reviews

Little Shirley Invites You To Join Her For A Snack Of Animal Crackers

A spunky little orphan, who brings happiness into the rather bleak institution where she lives, shakes her CURLY TOP and wins the heart of a young bachelor millionaire. Her beautiful older sister doesn't do so badly, either...

Shirley Temple is in her prime in this delightful family film. Her infectious smile & sparkling personality are ample indications as to why she was Hollywood's box office champ for years. Replete with talent & abundant charm, Little Miss Temple is a constant joy to watch & a source of never-failing amusement.

Up against a champion scene stealer, the romantic leads in Shirley's films never got a great deal of attention and it is no different here. Although both are attractive and more than competent, John Boles & Rochelle Hudson are the latest duo to sacrifice themselves on Temple's altar. Each are even given pleasant songs to sing, but the viewer squirms impatiently, wishing the story to return to The Real Star.

Shirley always found much stiffer competition from the wonderful character actors who populated her films. Here she's up against some heavy hitters. Sweet Jane Darwell & peppery Rafaela Ottiano appear as the matrons of the orphanage. Etienne Girardot plays a nasty-tempered trustee. Most especially there's the inimitable Arthur Treacher, adding another comic butler to his resume. This tall, imperious Englishman with the properly stiff upper lip was always a memorable cinematic companion to Miss Temple and he was more than capable of holding his own against the little moppet in the four films they shared. Movie mavens will recognize the great Billy Gilbert as Boles' comic cook.

Shirley gets to sing `When I Grow Up' & her classic `Animal Crackers.'