Overall, this is pretty silly and rather far-fetched, but it has some good moments, mostly thanks to young Shirley Temple. Like a great many of her short features, the story throws together a lot of offbeat ideas that don't always fit together very well. It seems to have been designed strictly as a showcase for Temple and for her co-star Junior Coghlan, who plays her older brother Sonny.
The story starts with an implausible premise and then builds on it. When Sonny's father cannot afford to send him to a military academy, Sonny and his friend decide that prospecting for gold in the desert is the natural solution to their problem. The rest of the plot ties together Temple stowing away to join them, a hooting owl, a chemistry set, an amnesiac, and other incongruous elements. It's goofy, but there are times when it is actually rather entertaining.
Temple is always full of energy, and it's a little unfortunate that her cute appearance and lively persona led to her being cast in so many insubstantial features. This one does have some amusing moments, though, and although it's probably not worth seeing more than once, it works all right as light entertainment.