Approved for All Ages

Shirley Temple: The Early Years Volume One

5
Negative Rating
12345
SexLanguageViolenceDrugsNudityOther
4
Positive Rating
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FaithIntegrity

Dove Review

Shirley Temple was called “The biggest little star of the thirties” and in this first of two volumes, based on her early work, we see why. Shirley stood out with her charm, innocent big eyes, and a great singing voice for a child actress. These episodes have been colorized, which makes watching them even more enjoyable. She had an uncanny screen presence for a little girl.

Several episodes make up this volume one collection, featuring titles such as Kid in Hollywood, The Kid’s Last Fight, and Glad Rags to Riches . Each is a short, a mini-movie, and a lot happens in a short amount of time in each episode. These early episodes feature Shirley and other child-actors, acting as grown-ups. It’s amusing to see the boys, shirtless, wearing shorts and prancing around acting as film directors, jealous would-be suitors, and nightclub owners! There is competition for Shirley’s affections, as she is a star, dressed in a pretty dress and is coming into her own as a celebrity actress. As soon as she becomes a “star,” she demands a Rolls Royce and a maid–it’s pretty funny stuff.

Although we know the kids are playing adults, a few acknowledgements of the fact they’re really kids is seen. In one case, a politician is campaigning during the time of prohibition. When a candidate is asked if he is “wet” or “dry,” the boy “adult” feels the back of his shorts, and replies, “Dry so far.”

An example of one scene occurs as a boxer needing Shirley in his corner as a “good luck charm,” and how she is kidnapped before his big fight. He is losing the fight when one of his “men” send a dog to try to find Shirley and to bring her back before it’s too late and the fight is over. Shirley is kissed in some of the shorts, as boys act like grown men and show her affection. The humor is from a more innocent age, with a dog licking the ice cream off a cone belonging to an unsuspecting boy, and a lobster crying out, “Oh!” in pain when Shirley places a fork in it to eat it. The video is pretty wholesome, with a few scenes which feature a young boy acting like an adult, with an unlit cigar in his mouth, and an occasional put-down such as, “Stupid!”

The Dove Take:

If you want to give your kids something safe to watch, and introduce them to a child “legend,” then this is the volume for them–and you might find yourself laughing along with Shirley too as the big “kid” comes out in you. We present this video our Dove-approved for All Ages seal.

Dove Rating Details

0
Faith

None

4
Integrity

Kids punch each other in a boxing scene and in a few other scenes; a kid is struck with a pole; squirt guns are used and a boy is splashed with milk and cries; an Indian is struck in the head by a thrown object.

1
Sex

A few boys kiss Shirley on the lips.

1
Language

Stupid-1

1
Violence

Kids punch each other in a boxing scene and in a few other scenes; a kid is struck with a pole; squirt guns are used and a boy is splashed with milk and cries; an Indian is struck in the head by a thrown object.

0
Drugs

None

1
Nudity

Shirtless boys

1
Other

Kids squabble and act jealous and like adults.

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