Professor Popinjay's Compendium of Perspicacity

A Non-review by Prof. Popinjay

Yes, this is a Shirley Temple film. Yes, they tacked on reprisals from her other musicals. It’s also a sweet story. I’ve seen it before but when I realized I put it into my watchin’ queue I watched it again because, dang it, I like this movie!
——-Shirley is a cute little twerp who hangs out with pilots for hire after her father died. Her mother works for a couple of rich ninny’s who are mooching off their old man. The ninny’s have a daughter who is just awful. The kid plays the part and plays it well. I’m not sure whether to applaud her acting or wonder if it just comes natural to be that irritating. You dislike the old man as well at first until you realize how much he can’t stand the ninnys or their daughter. After that he’s your favorite character.
——-A custody battle over Shirley ensues, someone is mistakenly accused of kidnapping, and also she reluctantly sings “The Good Ship Lolipop” while sobbing. What’s not to love!?! The whole thing ends with a child being slapped. I don’t condone violence of any kind but these are actors! The slap was well performed and on par with the best of professional wrestling choreography. What a strange way to end a film.
———“Hmmm, should we end on Shirley’s happy smiling face or should we slap some kid? Just kidding. The answer is obvious.”
———I heard they had a problem ending “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory”. Originally the script read “Grandpa: Whoopie!” END. What if they just ended it with Willy Wonka slapping Charlie. Scene! Why don’t we just end all films like this!?!
———“but they we no longer little girls. They were now… little women.” SLAPPETY-SLAP-SLAP-SLAP!

Ohhhhhhhh. Please. Don’t hit people.