Set in the post-Civil War American South, the story follows Lloyd Sherman, a spirited young girl who moves with her mother to live near her estranged grandfather, a former Confederate colonel. The stubborn old man initially resents their presence, but Lloyd’s charm and determination gradually soften his heart. Along the way, the film explores themes of family reconciliation, generational conflict, and Southern traditions, with touches of comedy and music.
Genre: Family, Comedy-Drama, Musical
Director: David Butler
David Butler (1894–1979) was an American director, actor, writer, and producer known for his work in light comedies, musicals, and family films. Starting in silent pictures as an actor, he moved into directing in the late 1920s and became a reliable studio craftsman at Warner Bros. and later 20th Century Fox. Butler was known for working with top stars, including Shirley Temple, Bing Crosby, and Doris Day, and for his easygoing style that kept productions smooth and efficient.
Star Cast:
- Shirley Temple as Lloyd Sherman
- Lionel Barrymore as Colonel Lloyd
- Evelyn Venable as Elizabeth Lloyd Sherman
- John Lodge as Jack Sherman
- Sidney Blackmer as Colonel Herbert
- Hattie McDaniel as Mom Beck
- Bill Robinson as Walker
The Little Colonel was a major box office success, cementing Shirley Temple’s status as America’s top child star of the era. Audiences loved its mix of humor, sentiment, and music, while critics praised Temple’s performance and the film’s heartwarming story. Its famous staircase dance sequence between Temple and Bill Robinson became an iconic moment in film history.
Fun Facts:
- This was the first of several films pairing Shirley Temple with Bill “Bojangles” Robinson.
- The staircase tap dance scene is considered one of the most memorable dance sequences in classic Hollywood.
- Lionel Barrymore, known for his gruff on-screen presence, was actually very fond of Temple off-camera.
- The film was adapted from the 1895 novel of the same name by Annie Fellows Johnston.
- Though set in the South, much of the filming took place in California.
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