The Blue Bird (1940)

So much average

Just what I expected

It's hard to see any effort in the film. There's no comedy to speak of, no real drama and, worst of all.

There are better movies of two hours length. I loved the actress'performance.

Shirley Temple is about as good as ever and there are some other nice acting performances but this is otherwise a second-rate film.It is obvious that 20th Century Fox was looking for their own Wizard of Oz but this movie lacks much of what made that classic what it was.This film is released one year after that breakthrough smash but was a flop.There are some nice special effects and the Technicolor is excellent but there is not enough substance here.The plot is largely too dark and doesn't fit well with Temple's persona.There are some brilliant cinematic setups, particularly one in the forest and another that is supposed to be a mix of heaven and a Greek temple that is reminiscent of the castle scene in The Thief of Baghdad (same year - 1940).This is one of the first films to feature Ann E. Todd, who is a scene stealer.Helen Ericson is lovely as literally the bright light.This is also Sybil Jason's last film. Some of her scenes were cut, reportedly at the urging of Temple's mother, so as not to overshadow the star. Jaosn was a great child actress and she steals the screen in her two scenes.This is worth seeing for film buffs but not for a date night.

Cat steals the show. Dog adorable. Fairy fantastic. Mrs. Luxury actress from Gone with the Wind. Mr. Luxury actor from Sherlock Holmes. Bratty Shirley leads the pack all over the place. Light is lovely. Trees angry about human destruction of their beauteous selves. Interesting concepts. My observations.

Essentially Shirley Temple's child star career ended with The Blue Bird. After this she was cast in teen roles and eventually young adults. If not the best way to end her child star career and the biggest money maker at the box office it certainly was one expensive way.Interesting as well because the rumors had it that Darryl Zanuck saw the big money that The Wizard Of Oz made over at MGM with Judy Garland and decided this was action he wanted 20th Century Fox in. So he shot the works financially and the famous Maeterlinck story The Blue Bird was adopted for Shirley Temple.The Blue Bird is a symbol for good luck and prosperity and one that Shirley and little brother Johnny Russell had has disappeared. A magical fairy played by Jessie Ralph sends them on a journey into an Oz like land with their animated pets, Eddie Collins as their dog and Gale Sondergaard as the cat. Sondergaard is truly interesting, she plays the animated cat like she was being the Spiderwoman and really acts like a fifth columnist for the kids.The story even resolves itself like the Wizard Of Oz.The Blue Bird got Oscar nominations for Special Effects, but lost to Alexander Korda's The Thief of Bagdad.It never came close to raking in its cost for 20th Century Fox. It was the end of Shirley Temple as a child star. Ironically MGM had wanted her for The Wizard Of Oz, but Zanuck wouldn't let her go. It was then they signed Judy Garland who cost L.B.Mayer not a dime as she was under contract.Seeing it today it's an interesting children's fantasy and may have not gotten the praise it deserved back in the day.

I had watched the middle and ending of this film on TV one December; I think it was last year. After watching it I have found this film really beautiful and very sweet. Based on a children's play about a sister and brother Mytyl (Shirley Temple) & Tyltyl, who are visited by a fairy Berylune one night to find "the bluebird of happiness," along with Tylo the bulldog and Tylette the cat and a lantern transformed by Berylune's magic. Throughout the journey, Mytyl's bratty attitude starts to change.I was quite intrigued with the original play/story after watching the version starring Sanrio's "Little Twin Stars" who are a pair of angel-like characters named Lala (sister) and Kiki (brother). Now I'm thinking of reading it; if I could find it. Well overall, I love the whole film and it's lesson about appreciating what you have - an age-old lesson that I don't mind at all. I found this film is a wonderful production. It's too bad it had a disappointing box-office performance.