AniInterview Sorry, this movie sucks

Moustroll Good movie but grossly overrated

Baseshment I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

PiraBit if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.

richard-1787 The previous review of this movie begins with the question "Can you get past the racism of the era?", and concludes that you can't. I won't argue that you should "get past" the racism. Rather, I'd argue that you need to look right at it and see that it is not simple, and not just a matter of stereotypes.Yes, Willie Best's character is an embarrassment when it is not infuriating. There's no arguing that.But Bill Robinson's character is very different. He is the one on whom Mrs. Cary relies when her husband is at war, he is the one who makes it possible for Cary to get back to see his wife as she is dying, etc. He is also the one who makes it possible for he and little Virgie to get to Washington and, eventually, plead her father's case with President Lincoln. In short, he is the character who makes pretty much everything good happen. Yes, there is injustice in that he should have received higher billing as a result, and he should have been in the final shot with Temple, as he was as important as her father and more important than Jack Holt. That was unfair, and though probably based on what Fox thought American audiences of the time would tolerate, nonetheless a concession to the racism of the time. But for its time, this movie is remarkably devoid of the "dumb and happy darkie" stereotypes of the time that are so infuriating.Furthermore, little Virgie never once treats "Uncle Bill" as anything less than an equal. Nor do her parents ever treat him disparagingly.Race relations in this movie are not perfect. But neither are they stereotypes. There is no point on zooming in on Willie Best's character and going through all the modern clichés of moral superiority, only to dismiss it. The movie deserves better than that.Yes, the dancing by Robinson and Temple is a wonder. But this movie has other things that are worth examination as well.Forget what you may have been told about this movie and try to watch it with an open mind. You won't waste your time.

jootes-garland This film is absolutely my favorite of all Shirley Temple films I've ever seen.Why? Shirley's not just an Orphan(as in most of her films)that is adored by everybody and is adopted by a happy family at the end. This film is certainly a family film, that can be watched by kids and by adults with no doubts. It has a heart-warming story, that teaches how was the relationship between the Yankees and the other ones(sorry can't remember the name right now), and how the racism at the thirties was, of course it's not directly shown in the movie. And the scene when Virgie(Temple) meets the President Lincoln is such a sweetie(that scene is very remembered over here, it's in a very famous book too).And, as in almost all of her movies, Shirley shows her sweet smiles, dances with Bill Robinson and sings one of her cutest songs ever!(Polly-Wolly-Doodle).Anyway, Shirley is sweet as always and giving a great performance!

shirley-girly Shirley Temple is wonderful as usual in this cute movie. It is a about a little girl, Virgie(Temple)living through the civil war. Her Father has to go to and fight in the war and is caught as a spy in a Yankee uniform. Virgie and her beloved slave Uncle Billy go to president Lincon to ask him to let her father out.Shirley shines in this movie, and is especially charming singing the song 'Those endearing young charms' with a pink bow in her hair. She and Uncle Billy do a great tap dance and Shirley shows her amazing talent. The song 'Polly Wolly Doodle' was really good also.I think that Shirley Temple fans would really enjoy this movie, but if you don't really like Shirley this movie could be a little boring.

Leahcurry The portrayal of the Civil War is quite good, but the issue of the treatment of slaves isn't bad here. John Boles and Karen Morley (as Mr. and Mrs. Cary) apparently have about as good a rapport with their slaves as one would expect. Both do an excellent job, but Shirley Temple always steals the show. Willie Best is silly as usual (I've seen him be that in several films, so the "dumb slave" stereotype he seems to get is merely comic relief--and I'm not being racist, I think he's wonderful!). Billy "Bojangles" Robinson gets the most spotlight besides Shirley, with John Boles close behind. Boles plays a well-known Confederate spy, but is fascinating when he's quick-thinking and authoritative, and so tender with Shirley--a bit similar to those that "Uncle Billy" has with her. Jack Holt is also noteworthy as a principled Yankee out to capture Cary (as are many more Yanks), but is tender-hearted when he meets Shirley that when her Dad is discovered in his own Yankee uniform, takes a big risk and gives Cary a pass for Shirley to get to Richmond. Cary says he'll never let her out of her arms again, and Colonel Morrison (Jack Holt) said, "I don't think my country expects me to make war on babies." The value placed on human life here is plain in those two lines.