Curly Top facts for kids

Curly Top is a fun American musical film from 1935. It was directed by Irving Cummings. The story is about a young orphan girl named Elizabeth, played by Shirley Temple. A rich man, Edward Morgan (John Boles), adopts her. He also falls in love with her older sister, Mary (Rochelle Hudson).

This movie was very popular in 1935. It was one of the top films at the box office, along with another Shirley Temple movie called The Littlest Rebel. Some of the famous songs from the film include "Animal Crackers in My Soup" and "When I Grow Up".

Curly Top was the first of four movies where Shirley Temple worked with actor Arthur Treacher. They also starred together in Stowaway (1936), Heidi (1937), and The Little Princess (1939).

What Happens in the Movie?

Shirley Temple as Elizabeth Blair

The story begins with a young girl named Elizabeth Blair (Shirley Temple). She lives at the Lakeside Orphanage. It's a rather strict and dull place. Her older sister, Mary (Rochelle Hudson), works hard there. Elizabeth is a sweet kid, but she's also very lively. This often gets her into trouble with the people in charge.

One day, some important people visit the orphanage. Elizabeth gets caught playfully copying one of them. She is almost sent to a public institution, which would be worse. But a kind, rich man named Edward Morgan (John Boles) steps in. He likes Elizabeth right away. He decides to adopt her.

Edward doesn't want Elizabeth to feel like she owes him everything. So, he makes up a fake person named "Hiram Jones." He tells Elizabeth that "Hiram Jones" is her secret helper, and he is just his lawyer. Edward also gives her the nickname "Curly Top." Meanwhile, Edward meets Mary, Elizabeth's sister, and starts to fall in love with her. But he doesn't tell her how he feels.

Elizabeth and Mary leave the orphanage and move into Edward's fancy beach house in Southampton. Edward's kind aunt, Genevieve Graham (Esther Dale), and his proper butler, Reynolds (Arthur Treacher), are very happy to have them. Elizabeth now has everything a child could wish for, like a pony cart and silk pajamas.

Mary secretly loves Edward too. But she thinks he isn't interested in her. So, she agrees to marry a young navy pilot named Jimmie Rogers (Maurice Murphy). Edward is surprised but congratulates her. A few hours later, Mary realizes she doesn't truly love Jimmie and breaks off the engagement. That's when Edward tells her he loves her. He also reveals that he is the "Hiram Jones" he invented. Edward and Mary then plan to get married and go on a long honeymoon in Europe.

Who Are the Main Characters?

Shirley Temple in 1934

• Shirley Temple as Elizabeth Blair, the cheerful orphan girl.
• John Boles as Edward Morgan, the kind, rich man who adopts Elizabeth.
• Rochelle Hudson as Mary Blair, Elizabeth’s older sister.
• Esther Dale as Genevieve Graham, Edward Morgan’s aunt.
• Arthur Treacher as Reynolds, Edward Morgan’s proper English butler.
• Jane Darwell as Mrs. Henrietta Denham, a matron at the orphanage.
• Rafaela Ottiano as Mrs. Higgins, the strict superintendent of the orphanage.
• Etienne Girardot as James Wyckoff, a trustee of the orphanage.
• Maurice Murphy as Jimmie Rogers, a navy pilot.

How the Movie Was Made

Shirley Temple when she was young

Curly Top was filmed in May and June of 1935. It was released to movie theaters on July 26, 1935. The movie was based on a book from 1912 called Daddy-Long-Legs by Jean Webster. This was one of four times Shirley Temple remade movies that were originally made by the famous actress Mary Pickford.

Shirley Temple's mother helped her a lot on the movie set and at home. The director, Irving Cummings, said that Mrs. Temple was very good at teaching Shirley her lines. She also taught her how to show emotions and how to move. Cummings felt that Mrs. Temple was "much more Shirley’s director" than he was. He said there wasn't much left for him to do when Shirley arrived on set.

As a special gift, Shirley Temple received the dollhouse that was used in the movie. This dollhouse was very detailed. It had tiny rugs, curtains, crisp sheets on its beds, and even fake food in its refrigerator. Every drawer and door in the dollhouse could open. Shirley kept it in her bedroom at her parents' home. She often showed it to other children who visited.

The songs “Animal Crackers in My Soup” and “When I Grow Up” became very popular. Thousands of copies of their sheet music were sold. Shirley Temple's songs even appeared on music charts alongside big stars like Bing Crosby, Nelson Eddy, and Alice Faye.

Images for kids

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  Curly top of common bean caused by Beet curly top virus

See also

In Spanish: La simpática huerfanita para niños