Little Miss Broadway (1938)

Thanks for the memories!

Fresh and Exciting

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

In a surprising departure from her usual roles, Shirley plays a lovable orphan. For reasons that are not clear, she is moved to a hotel full of entertainers. Unfortunately, the hotel is owned by a witch who summons the authorities to have Shirley sent back to the orphanage. No spoiler alert is needed to reveal that all ends well in Shirley's world. Those who are not Temple fans and those who like good movies should stay away from this one. The only highlight is Murphy's dancing. After retiring from show business, Murphy served as US Senator from California while Ronald Reagan was the governor! Of course Shirley became an orphan ambassador.

Little Miss Broadway is a very enjoyable movie musical format in miniature with bright,bouncy tunes,a plot that moves with light touches of comedy,sentiment and slight conflicts..All the main characters perform solidly,but THE main sharply etched brilliant performance belongs to Edna May Oliver...when I was a child,I was at first repelled by her "mean old pumpkin" ways...OH! but to look closer as one grows older..WOW! What subtle hysterical faces and brilliance beneath that unique face and her ever so subtle softness of heart which peeks out more and more towards the end..She truly stands out..such a marvelous artist!

I'm not the biggest fan of black and white films but this was still good. That shouldn't interfere with the acting and story itself, but that's just me. I actually enjoyed this even though it lacked color. During the first ten or fifteen minutes, I was pretty determined that I was going to hate this film. It was kind of slow and the writing wasn't all that great. Then I realized that it was made in the '30s and should think how this would have appeared back then. I thought and began to enjoy it. I'll be honest, this is the first Shirley Temple film that I have ever seen. I've heard of her and had been wanting to see her in something for a while, but never did. I was so impressed with her acting ability. Plus, she's so cute dancing around that office. The rest of the cast is pretty good but I especially liked the part of Betsy Brown. While 'Little Miss Broadway' was still very slow, I enjoyed it because of the dancing number(s). Also, the writing was somewhat comical. This isn't one of the best films I have ever seen, not even close, but it was/is something good to see on a quiet afternoon when there is nothing else on.

The highlight in this one is Edna May Oliver who made a wonderful detective in earlier films (she paired with James Gleason in several 30's efforts). I mean, to be mean to little Miss Everything--what can you say? Shirley looks a little chubby in this outting but no less talented as she reacts, moves that mouth, smiles and keeps up with famous hoofers.