Heidi

Shirley Temple's version of Heidi, is another film I enjoy watching every Christmas season, and little children will find it delightful too. This is really one of Temple's best film's, added with her special charming touches. The underrated child actress, Marcia Mae Jones is also very lovely with her performance as Klara, the invalid girl who Heidi helps to walk. Jean Hersholt is marvellous as the grandfather, who is surly towards Heidi at first, but soon turns to love the precious child. The comical Arthur Treacher adds some humorous touches to this story. Mary Nash, Sidney Blackmer, and child actor Delmar Watson, all portray their characters perfectly, making this a very entertaining and heart-warming adaption of the classic child's story. Well worth a look during the Christmas holidays.

(possible spoilers) Shirley Temple is perfectly cast in this touching version of the oft-told tale. As the uplifting Heidi, she is bounced around from relative to relative before her cruel aunt winds up giving her off to live in a shack in the Swiss mountains with her grumpy old grandfather (Jean Hersholt). Through Heidi's lovable nature, the grandfather eventually learns to abandon his bitterness and becomes a much more pleasant person who is liked by his fellow villagers who once shunned him. But just when things are looking up, the aunt returns to steal Heidi and sell her off to a wealthy family whose wheelchair-bound daughter needs a friend. A good film with a great deal of heart. *** out of ****

The story of Heidi is kind of hard to present to film-goers. As a book it's wonderful and engaging, but it's just not movie material. Thus we get versions like this, with kidnapping and gypsies and an evil witch of a Fraulein Rottenmeier who wants to keep Klara sick and bring Heidi down. But how can you not love Shirley Temple? She just takes any movie and makes it golden! And we also have the heart of the story: a little girl who teaches a grumpy old man to open up his heart again. And those two things by themselves help the movie to shine. A wonderful classic, especially for young viewers, but also good for the young at heart!