Heidi (1937 film) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Heidi |
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Promotional Poster
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| Directed by | Allan Dwan |
| Produced by | Darryl F. Zanuck |
| Written by | Julien Josephson Walter Ferris |
| Starring | Shirley Temple Jean Hersholt Arthur Treacher Mary Nash Marcia Mae Jones Sidney Blackmer |
| Music by | David Buttolph Charles Maxwell Ernst Toch |
| Cinematography | Arthur Miller |
| Editing by | Allen McNeil |
| Distributed by | Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation |
| Release date(s) | October 15, 1937 |
| Running time | 88 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Heidi is a classic American musical drama film from 1937. It stars the famous child actress Shirley Temple. This movie was directed by Allan Dwan. It is based on the beloved 1881 children's book Heidi by Swiss author Johanna Spyri. The story follows an orphan girl named Heidi. She is sent to live with her grandfather in the mountains. Later, she moves to the city to be a friend to a girl named Klara. The film was very popular, and Shirley Temple was a top box office star for the third year in a row.
The Story of Heidi
The film tells the story of an eight-year-old Swiss orphan named Heidi, played by Shirley Temple. Her aunt Dete takes her to live with her grandfather, Adolph, who lives alone in the mountains. At first, her grandfather seems a bit grumpy. But Heidi's happy and kind nature quickly melts his heart. Her presence even helps him become friends with the people in the nearby town.
Heidi's aunt Dete then takes her away again. This time, Heidi goes to live in a rich house in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. She becomes a friend to Klara, a girl who uses a wheelchair. Klara is watched over by a very strict housekeeper named Fräulein Rottenmeier. Heidi misses her grandfather very much. But she tries to make the best of her new situation.
Heidi's cheerful spirit helps Klara feel much better and stronger. Fräulein Rottenmeier, who wants Klara to stay dependent on her, tries to get rid of Heidi. She plans to send Heidi away, but the police stop her. In the end, Heidi is rescued and gets to go back home to her loving grandfather in the mountains.
Meet the Characters
- Heidi (Shirley Temple): An eight-year-old orphan girl. She is very happy, hopeful, and loves adventures. She cares deeply for her grandfather.
- Adolph Kramer (Jean Hersholt): Heidi's grandfather. He starts out grumpy but learns to love Heidi as his granddaughter.
- Klara Sesemann (Marcia Mae Jones): A kind 13-year-old girl. She uses a wheelchair but is very caring and polite towards Heidi.
- Herr Sesemann (Sidney Blackmer): Klara's father. He is busy but loves his daughter very much and wants her to be happy.
- Pastor Schultz (Thomas Beck): The village pastor. He talks to Adolph about Heidi's future.
- Andrews (Arthur Treacher): The butler in the Sesemann house. He is always kind to Heidi.
- Fräulein Rottenmeier (Mary Nash): The strict housekeeper in the Sesemann home. She is very mean to Klara and Heidi.
- Peter (Delmar Watson): A friend of Heidi's and a goat herder for Adolph Kramer.
- Dete (Mady Christians): Heidi's aunt. She has taken care of Heidi for six years but is mostly interested in herself.
- Blind Anna (Helen Westley): Peter's grandmother.
