The Little Princess

The Little Princess, a heartwarming tale released in 1939, features a delightful performance from one of the most beloved child stars of the era, Shirley Temple. Alongside Temple, the film stars Richard Greene and Anita Louise adding substance to the supporting cast. It is a film that doubled as a technical marvel in its time and was the first Shirley Temple movie filmed completely in Technicolor. The movie, directed by Walter Lang, was adapted from Frances Hodgson Burnett's 1905 novel, 'A Little Princess'.

As the title suggests, The Little Princess pivots around the life of a young girl, Sara Crewe, played by Shirley Temple, whose character is richly layered and complex. She is a blissful, gracious, and generous child with an inspiring spirit and a persuasive sense of hope, which shines exceptionally in the challenging situations she encounters in the story. Temple's performance, given her young age, significantly adds life and charm into this character blending naturally with her innocent exuberance.

The Little Princess is set against the backdrop of the Victorian age during the tumultuous period of the Boer War. The plot gets its momentum when Sara Crewe's affluent father, Captain Crewe, portrayed by Ian Hunter, has to leave Sara in a boarding school before he heads off to serve in the war. The boarding school, led by the iron-willed, domineering Miss Minchin, played with aplomb by Mary Nash, initially welcomes Sara due to her wealth and status. Sara, nestled comfortably in the high-class environment, finds joy not in privilege, but in the company of her new friends and her vivid imagination.

In contrast to melodramatic representations of the Victorian era, the director employs subtlety and nuance to portray the class distinctions and societal norms of the time. Despite its positioning as a children’s movie, The Little Princess remarkably addresses themes of privilege, classism and resilience in adversity.

Sara's life takes a drastic turn when she learns about a tragedy concerning her father, and goes from being treated like a princess to a pauper. Forced into servitude at the same school where she was once a cherished student, Sara's circumstances take a drastic turn. Regardless, she manages to rally her spirit, undeterred by her hardships, all the while holding onto the hope that her father will return.

Amidst all the transformations that Sara goes through, her character continues to captivate due to her hopeful outlook and ceaseless optimism. The interactions between Sara and the school's scullery maid, Becky, played by Sybil Jason, add depth and some of the most touching moments in the movie, illustrating a beautiful bond of friendship.

Richard Greene, who plays the role of Geoffrey Hamilton, a buoyant young British officer, delivers a commendable performance as well. His character adds a different dimension to the movie, infusing it with a dash of childlike romance and offering some respite from the harsh realities of Sara's life.

Anita Louise gives an exceptional performance as Rose, a kind-hearted teacher at the boarding school who provides emotional support to Sara. Her character gracefully shines as an embodiment of compassion and kindness amidst the stern and austere environment of the boarding school.

Overall, The Little Princess is a movie that stands tall on the shoulders of its stellar cast. Shirley Temple, in particular, shines brightly as Sara, portraying her resilience and cheerfulness despite the challenging circumstances.

The film does an impressive job of staying faithful to its source material while still containing enough departures to make it unique. It provides a heart-touching and inspiring narrative that appeals to both adults and children alike. Its endearing and compelling storyline, combined with the enchanting performances, makes The Little Princess a noteworthy classic from Hollywood's golden age, hard to forget once watched.