Film Review of Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm: Shirley Temple and Bojangles Robinson in 1938 Musical

City careers and country living are not mutually exclusive in Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm by writers Don Ettlinger and Karl Tunberg; producers Raymond Griffith and Darryl F. Zanuck; and director Allan Dwan. Arthur C. Miller; Allen McNeil; and Mark Gordon, Sidney D. Mitchell, Samuel Pokrass, Lew Pollack, Harry Revel, Raymond Scott, and Jack Yellen handle cinematography, editing, and music. Filming showcases California’s Movietone City and Santa Catalina Island.

The 80-minute musical adapts Kate Douglas Wiggin’s (1856-1923) 1903-published, same-named children’s classic. Its distributor was 20th Century-Fox. Its USA-release date was March 18, 1938.

The movie begins with “Crackly Grain Flakes” manufacturer Cyrus Bartlett (Paul Harvey) bemoaning flopped nationwide advertisements. He blames radio advertising executive Anthony Kent (Randolph Scott). Eight-year-old Rebecca Winstead’s (Shirley Temple) “Little Miss America” audition impresses Cyrus.

Tony informs announcer/singer Orville Smithers (Jack Haley) to stop auditioning. Orville misunderstands. Evicted from their lodgings, Rebecca and manager/stepfather Henry Kipper (William Demarest) travel upstate to Sunnybrook Farm whose owner is Miranda Wilkins (Helen Westley), Rebecca’s maternal aunt.

Tony just misses Harry and Rebecca. Orville purports paper trails on all auditionees. Tony takes time off on his farm upstate.

Rebecca chases Miranda’s piglet to the neighboring farm managed by Homer Busby (Slim Summerville) and owned by Tony. Tony corners the piglet after falling into a well. Rebecca and cousin Gwen Warren (Gloria Stuart) impress Tony. But Miranda relives the humiliation of Homer drinking the night before their marriage and leaving her at the altar 25 years ago. Rebecca sneak-visits her neighbors.

Orville arrives in time for Cyrus’ call. Cyrus, Orville, and Tony recognize Rebecca’s singing voice. Miranda refuses to let Rebecca go to NYC.

Miranda blames the entertainment industry for her sister’s misery and premature death. Rebecca escapes through the window. The ladder falls before Homer leaves. Miranda finds Homer hiding in Rebecca’s bedroom. Homer gets second chances with Miranda.

That Orville chases singer Lola Lee (Phyllis Brooks) who chases Tony alienates Gwen. That Miranda gets Rebecca’s salary raised causes Harry and second wife Melba (Ruth Gillette) to get Rebecca’s court-ordered removal to their care. That Harry contract-signs with Purvis (Alan Dinehart) inspires:

• Rebecca to croak during her first broadcast as NYC’s “Little Miss Universe” with organist Hamilton Montmarcy (Franklin Pangborn);

• Dr. Hill (J. Edward Bromberg) to demand 12-24 months’ rest;

• Purvis to nullify Rebecca’s contract;

• Tony to pay Harry $5,000 for Miranda’s custody of Rebecca.

The movie ends with Miranda’s farmhand Aloysius (Bill Robinson) and Rebecca’s “Little Miss America” dancing and singing to Raymond Scott Quintet’s “Toy Trumpet” for audiences including Cyrus, Gwen with Tony, Homer with Miranda, and Lola with Orville.

My special thanks to talented artists and photographers/concerned organizations who make their fine images available on the internet.

photo by Harris & Ewing; Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division, Harris & Ewing Collection: No known restrictions, via Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Online Catalog (PPOC) @ https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2016873747/

Shirley Temple. "Shirley Temple An Old Straw Hat From Rebecca Of Sunnybrook Farm 1938 Extended Version." YouTube, Aug. 6, 2015, @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R13dNvm3XNo

Classic Film Channel. "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm (1938)." YouTube, May 11, 2018, @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJwOw_OzoQ0&list=PL-MC9HpOeWsQ43NlKtnoQUEtBZPS837zU