Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm (1938)

My Review

“Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm” follows the story of a talented orphan who wins an appearance on a radio show, but due to a misunderstanding, is sent to live with her anti-show biz aunt on a remote farm. The producers of the show and Rebecca’s agent agree to do the program in secret from the farm, and she becomes a big star, with the comedy and drama proceeding from there. Director Allan Dwan (“Heidi” 1937) put together an entertaining vehicle for Shirley Temple with great production values and good writing. It was adapted from the 1903 novel of the same name by Kate Douglas Wiggin, and the 1917 silent film version with Mary Pickford and the 1932 pre-code picture with Marian Nixon.

Shirley Temple does her usual outstanding job with singing, dancing, repartee, and general acting performance. She was the number one box office draw of the 1930’s, and this film displays the reasons for that success. Co-stars include Randolph Scott, William Demarest, Gloria Stuart, Bill Robinson, Jack Haley, Paul Harvey, Helen Westley, Slim Summerville, and Dixie Dunbar as the receptionist. The watchable escapist entertainment “Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm” was a big hit at the Depression Era box office for producer Darryl F. Zanuck and the Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation.