The Littlest Rebel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Littlest Rebel |
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Theatrical release poster
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| Directed by | David Butler |
| Produced by | Darryl Zanuck (producer) Buddy G. DeSylva (associate producer) |
| Screenplay by | Edwin J. Burke Harry Tugend |
| Starring | John Boles Jack Holt Karen Morley Bill Robinson Shirley Temple |
| Music by | Cyril Mockridge |
| Cinematography | John F. Seitz |
| Editing by | Irene Morra |
| Distributed by | 20th Century Fox |
| Release date(s) | November 22, 1935 |
| Running time | 70 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Money made | $1.3 million |
The Littlest Rebel is a 1935 American drama film directed by David Butler. It tells the story of a family living on a large farm in the Old South during the American Civil War. The movie is based on a play by Edward Peple.
The film stars Shirley Temple as a young girl named Virgie. John Boles plays her father, and Karen Morley plays her mother. Bill Robinson plays Uncle Billy, one of their enslaved servants. Jack Holt plays a Union officer.
The Littlest Rebel was very popular when it came out. It was one of the top movies of 1935. This film was also the second time Shirley Temple and Bill Robinson worked together. You can still find the movie today on videocassette and DVD.
Contents
What Happens in the Movie
Life Before the War
The story begins in 1861 in the Old South. Virgie Cary is celebrating her sixth birthday at her family's large farm. Uncle Billy, an enslaved servant, performs a fun tap dance for all the party guests. But the celebration quickly ends when a messenger arrives. He brings news about the Battle of Fort Sumter, which means war has officially begun.
War Comes to the Farm
Virgie's father is called to join the Confederate Army. He becomes a scout, which means he crosses enemy lines to gather information. Sometimes, he secretly visits his family at their farm, even though it's now behind Union lines.
One day, a Union officer named Colonel Morrison comes to the Cary farm looking for Virgie's father. Virgie is brave and stands up to him. She even hits him with a small stone from her slingshot and sings "Dixie", a popular Southern song.
A New Friend
After Colonel Morrison leaves, Virgie's father arrives for a visit. But enslaved people on the farm warn him that Union troops are coming. He quickly leaves. Union soldiers, led by a harsh Sergeant Dudley, start to steal things from the house.
Luckily, Colonel Morrison returns. He stops the soldiers from looting and orders Sergeant Dudley to be punished. Because of this kind act, Virgie starts to see Colonel Morrison as a good person.
Facing Danger
One stormy night, a battle happens very close to the farm. Virgie and her mother have to run away with Uncle Billy because their house is burned down. Virgie's mother becomes very sick. They find a safe place in an enslaved person's cabin.
Virgie's father crosses enemy lines to be with his wife during her last moments. After his wife passes away, he plans to take Virgie to his sister in Richmond. Colonel Morrison finds out about the plan and helps Virgie's father. He gives him a Union uniform and a special pass to get through the lines.
A Trip to Washington
However, the plan doesn't work. Both Virgie's father and Colonel Morrison are caught. They are put on trial by a military court and sentenced to death. They are held in a temporary prison. Virgie and Uncle Billy visit them every day, singing "Polly Wolly Doodle".
A kind Union officer suggests that Uncle Billy should ask President Abraham Lincoln for help. Since they don't have much money, Uncle Billy and Virgie sing and dance in public places to earn money for their trip. They finally reach Washington, D.C., and are taken to President Lincoln's office. After hearing Virgie's story, the President agrees to pardon (forgive) her father and Colonel Morrison.
Happy Ending
At the end of the movie, Virgie happily sings "Polly Wolly Doodle" to her father, Colonel Morrison, and a group of soldiers in the jail.
Cast
- Shirley Temple as Virgie Cary
- John Boles as Herbert Cary
- Jack Holt as Colonel Morrison
- Karen Morley as Mrs. Cary
- Guinn Williams as Sergeant Dudley
- Frank McGlynn Sr. as President Abraham Lincoln
- Bill Robinson as Uncle Billy
- Willie Best as James Henry
- Bessie Lyle as Mammy Rosabelle
- Hannah Washington as Sally Ann
- Karl Hackett as John Hay (uncredited)
- Jack Mower as Yankee Lt. Hart (uncredited)
Other Versions
The Littlest Rebel was also made into a radio play. It was an hour long and aired on October 14, 1940, on a show called Lux Radio Theatre. Shirley Temple and Claude Rains were in the radio version.
