The Littlest Rebel

Infobox Film
name = The Littlest Rebel


image_size =
caption = Film poster
director = David Butler
producer = Buddy G. DeSylva
writer = Edwin J. Burke
Edward Peple (play)
narrator =
starring = Shirley Temple
music =
cinematography = John F. Seitz
editing = Irene Morra
distributor = Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation
released = November 22, 1935
runtime = 70 min.
country = USA
language = English
budget =
gross =
preceded_by =
followed_by =
website =
amg_id =
imdb_id = 0026641

"The Littlest Rebel" is a 1935 comedy drama film directed by David Butler, starring child-actress Shirley Temple. It was adapted from a play of the same name, written by Edward Peple. Shirley Temple plays the daughter of a rebel officer, Captain Herbert Cary, played by John Boles, who sneaks back to his rundown plantation to see his family, only to be arrested. A yankee takes pity on him and lets him escape. All of them are captured to be executed, when Temple's character, Virgie Cary, goes to president Abraham Lincoln for help.

Racism

Film critic Hal Erickson, of the "Allmovie" wrote "The stereotypical treatment of black characters in "The Littlest Rebel" is more offensive than usual, with "happy darkies" nervously pondering the prospect of being freed from slavery and shivering in their boots when the Yankees arrive." [Erickson, Hal. [http://movies2.nytimes.com/movie/29703/The-Littlest-Rebel/ "The Littlest Rebel"] . "New York Times".] Bill Gibron, of the Online Film Critics Society, wrote: "The racism present in "The Littlest Rebel", "The Little Colonel" and "Dimples" is enough to warrant a clear critical caveat." However Gibron, echoing most film critics who continue to see value in Temple's work despite the racism that is present in some of it, also wrote: "Thankfully, the talent at the center of these troubling takes is still worthwhile for some, anyway." [Gibron, Bill. [http://www.popmatters.com/film/features/060519-shirleytemple.shtml "Little Girl Lost"] . PopMatters.com. 19 May 2006.]

Cast

*Shirley Temple as Ms. Virginia 'Virgie' Cary
*John Boles as Capt. Herbert Cary, aka "Massa Cary"
*Jack Holt as Col. Morrison
*Karen Morley as Mrs. Cary
*Bill Robinson as Uncle Billy
*Guinn Williams as Sgt. Dudley
*Willie Best as James Henry
*Frank McGlynn, Sr. as President Abraham Lincoln
*Bessie Lyle as Mammy Rosabelle
*Hannah Washington as Sally Ann

References

External links

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