Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm

Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm


20th Century-Fox, 1938, B/W, 80 minutes, ***

Released March, 1938



Apparently 20th Century-Fox bought this property for its title only, as it bears little resemblance to the Mary Pickford film (1917) or the Marian Nixon film (1932). All that aside, it's an enjoyable entry from America's favorite little moppet.



When orphaned Rebecca's (Shirley Temple) uncle Henry Kipper (William Demarest) fails to launch Rebecca as a child radio star, he takes her to live with her aunt (Helen Westley) on Sunnybrook farm. And who should live next door but radio producer Anthony Kent (Randolph Scott)? Of course, Kent finds a way to get Rebecca on the air, but when Kipper hears the program he wants Rebecca back, and a family feud erupts!



Producer: Darryl F. Zanuck

Associate Producer: Raymond Griffith

Directed by: Allan Dwan

Assistant Director: Aaron Rosenberg

Screen Play by: Karl Tunberg and Don Ettlinger

(suggested by the Kate Douglas Wiggin story)

Music and Lyrics by: Mack Gordon, Harry Revel, Lew Pollack, Sidney D. Mitchell, Sam Pokrass, Jack Yellen, Raymond Scott

Dances Staged by: Nick Castle and Geneva Sawyer

Musical Direction: Arthur Lange

Art Direction: Bernard Herzbrun, Hans Peters

Set Decoration: Thomas Little

Costumes: Gwen Wakeling

Sound: George Leverett, Roger Heman

Photography: Arthur Miller

Film Editor: Allen McNeil



Cast: Shirley Temple [Rebecca Winstead], Randolph Scott [Anthony Kent], Jack Haley [Orville Smithers], Gloria Stuart [Gwen Warren], Phyllis Brooks [Lola Lee], Helen Westley [Aunt Miranda Wilkins], Slim Summerville [Homer Busby], Bill Robinson [Aloysius], J. Edward Bromberg [Dr. Hill], Alan Dinehart [Purvis], Raymond Scott and his Quintet [Themselves], Dixie Dunbar [Receptionist], Paul Hurst [Mug], William Demarest [Henry Kipper], Ruth Gillette [Melba], Paul Harvey [Cyrus Bartlett], Clarence Wilson [Jake Singer], Sam Hayes, Gary Breckner, Carroll Nye [Radio Announcers], Franklin Pangborn [Hamilton Montmarcy], William Wagner [Rev. Turner], Eily Malyon [Mrs. Turner], Mary McCarty [Florabelle]



Musical Program: [0:01] Happy Ending (Phyllis Brooks); [0:06] You've Gotta Eat Your Spinach, Baby (various girls at audition); [0:07] An Old Straw Hat (Shirley Temple at audition); [0:23] An Old Straw Hat (sung by Shirley Temple, dancing a couple steps with Bill Robinson); [0:29] An Old Straw Hat (Shirley Temple at Tony Kent's house); [0:38] Crackly Grain Flakes (unidentified quartet); [0:42] Alone with You (Phyllis Brooks and Jack Haley); [0:49] Come and Get Your Happiness (Shirley Temple and Girls Chorus); [0:55] Au Revoir (includes medley of: On the Good Ship Lollipop / When I'm with You / Animal Crackers in My Soup / Oh My Goodness) (Shirley Temple); [1:16] Parade of the Wooden Soldiers (sung by Shirley Temple with Raymond Scott Quintet, danced by Shirley Temple, Bill Robinson and Mens Chorus)