Heidi (1937)

People sometimes make fun of Shirley Temple. The fact of the matter is that not only was she precocious, she was incredibly talented. She could sing, dance, and, especially, act. This is the famous story of the little orphan girl who is not wanted and is sent off to live with her reclusive uncle (played beautifully by Jean Hersholt) who initially resents her but recognizes she needs a place. Just when they have bonded and she begins to love him, she is uprooted from this life, place in a family where she is to be the caretaker of a little disabled girl. She is immediately despised by Fraulein Rottenmeier who sees her as a threat, especially when Heidi gets the little girl, Klara, to walk. This is really a good movie with some very memorable characters. It also has the beauty of the Alps as a kind of character. Shirley Temple was one of the most popular actresses of her time and this showed how engaging she could be.

I did not know the story of Heidi and thought it would be boring. This movie proved me wrong. Although the descriptions of her grandfather as "mean", "grouchy" or "crotchety" seem more than a bit exaggerated.I have some problems with the film -- first and foremost that the goal seems to be presenting Shirley Temple as adorable. Did the character of Heidi need to be so precious? What if she was a plain, average child? The point should be about the relationship between the grandfather and Heidi. Taking the focus off of them and putting it on her is a serious mistake.All in all, I was greatly entertained and for 1937 the film is of great quality. Whether or not it should be called a classic depends on your definition.

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!

Yes, another very good Shirley Temple movie. I must say I love all Shirley movies, I don't have a "favorite" one(except for the very first movie of hers I saw, which is very close to my heart), but Heidi is a great movie and I think everybody must see it.Heidi's an orphaned girl who lived with her aunt for six years. Then the aunt got a job and she had to live with her grandfather, a very unsociable man, who have a terrible humor and hates everyone. He lives in the mountains. Later, the aunt comes back to take Heidi to the big city to be the playmate of a girl that can't walk.I think this is one of the greatest(if it's not the best)Shirley's acting performances. In that movie she shows that she's not just a cute little girl that can tap dance and smile! She shows she's a good actress. A very good actress. I just think that only one sing-and-dance number's not enough for a Shirley Temple movie -- but the only sing-and-dance number in that film is great("In our little Wooden shoes").That story was adored by me when I was a kid. I saw an animated version, the 1970's movie version and I read the book. When I became a Shirley Temple fan and noticed that she'd played Heidi, I said "WOW! Shirley played Heidi!" and after I saw that movie I absolutely 'fell in love' with Shirley.There are some parts of the film that make me cry, like the Christmas scene and the ending scene(apart from Shirley's cute smile of course!).Anyway, a very good movie. Enjoyable, happy, and with the great Child-Star Shirley Temple starring in it. Anyone who wants to watch this film with the kids but think they won't like because it's black-and-white, just try. I'm sure they'll get into the story and that they'll love it!