Bright Eyes (1934)

Admirable film.

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

Close shines in drama with strong language, adult themes.

Mostly, the movie is committed to the value of a good time.

Bright Eyes became the signature film for Shirley Temple as America's favorite moppet launched the Good Ship Lollipop and that song was the launching of her. It wasn't long after that the little girl became the number one seller of movie tickets in the Great Depression.Shirley lives with her mother Lois Wilson who is a live-in maid for Dorothy Christy and Theodore Von Eltz and their hellion brat of a daughter Jane Withers. Wilson is the widow of an aviator and the pilots have all made her a kind of mascot. Most of all James Dunn who was her father's best friend and her godfather. The outlook is grim for our plucky little moppet when mom is killed in a traffic accident. Shirley becomes a pawn in a great scheme for Von Eltz and Christy to get their cranky uncle Charles Sellon's money because he's always liked her. Still pluck and luck rule the day in the end.I really did love Jane Withers who had America hating her because she was so mean to Shirley. That scene at the very end when Withers finally got what was coming to her was priceless.Bright Eyes gave Shirley Temple her signature song On The Good Ship Lollipop which millions of stage mothers taught their daughters in the hopes the kid would be discovered as the next Shirley Temple. As a lad I remember hearing it on a 78 record sung by Rosemary Clooney though.Bright Eyes holds up very well even after over 80 years. It's still a nice voyage.

Spoilers ahead:Orphan carries the show. (Shirley later becomes an orphan.). Everyone likes her, except her bratty nemesis. Why do the wealthy girls envy the poorer girls? Maybe the rich stereotypes are true. Maybe the rich girls do have all the good clothes, toys and snobbish and obnoxious parents. Maybe the poorer little girls convey a great deal of love, affection and humility, while the wealthy child stereotypes are all gimme gimme gimme and I-want-more. Perhaps more is not what it's cracked up to be. Perhaps less is more satisfying and peaceful. Shirley has the love of a lot of people, starting with all of the aviators. They are a happy lot, taking good care of her and making sure that her childhood is as fulfilling as possible. Her mother loves her, and I think that the kitchen staff cares very much for her also. Shirley knows a lot of aviation terminology for such a young moppet. She is just darling in her small aviator suit and helmet. The uncle was wonderful. He was a curmudgeon with a heart of gold. This was in the Great Depression. News was bleak and unsavory, and films like this cheered up a tired and weary nation. The little moppet was truly an inspiration, indeed. 10/10. The song on the airplane was ingenious and sweet. The ruined airplane cake was a tragedy, not to mention what happened to Shirley's mother.

Bright Eyes is a film that probably made Shirley Temple go to that height of her career by performing her iconic song "The Good Ship Lollipop" And like the song, the plot, the acting and just Shirley---are so sweet you just may get diabetes watching the film.Not to say that this type of diabetes is not enjoyable. It just fits into Shirley's character. "Shirley" (yes, that is her character's name) is an adorable Lil moppet whose attractive mother works as a maid for a snotty family named Smith (Please! pronounce it as Smythe!) I think I heard the person who wrote the screen play based this story while growing up, the Scottish maid in his home had a sweet little daughter about Shirley's age. Shirley's deceased father who was a pilot, died in a crash. But not to worry---His father's friends, especially best friend "Loop" treat Shirley as their own daughter by showering her with attention and presents. Sweet, unspoiled Shirley is surrounded by other love--The Smith's family invalid uncle who is charmed by the little girl as well as the servants and Loop's ex-girlfriend.You know the sugar-now here is the spice. The Smith's daughter, Joy played beautifully by Jane Withers is a Super Brat! But such a brat that you'll love the performance that she unintentionally steals some scenes from Temple. It was said that Jane Withers got the part of Joy because she could make the noise of a machine gun.Then,tragedy strikes! Shirley's Mom is killed in an accident. And during the joyful season of Christmas as well....Now, poor Shirley is an orphan. What will become of Shirley? Who will adopt her? So, if you need a little sugar, Sail abroad the Good Ship Lollipop and prepare to tug at your heart strings.

Little BRIGHT EYES wins the hearts & changes the lives of a lonely aviator and a cranky old coot.This movie was a very big hit for Shirley Temple, who certainly deserved all the attention: she is adorable. Although the film tends to lag into melodramatics during the final half hour, Shirley brightens everything considerably when she appears. With her undeniable talent & elfin smile, it's easy to see why she became Hollywood's top box office star.However, the Mighty Mite does have competition. Jane Withers is on hand as the Ultimate Brat, a dreadful child who likes to play with imaginary machine guns and amputate body parts off of dolls. Although she looks alarmingly like OUR GANG's Alfalfa in drag, Withers is wonderful and the perfect antidote for those who may find Miss Temple a tad bit icky sticky. To say that Miss Withers practically plunders the picture from The Moppet is high praise, indeed.James Dunn appeared in four films with Shirley in 1934; in BRIGHT EYES he has his finest scenes with her. As her dead father's best buddy, Dunn is quite touching in his devotion to the child. Elderly character actor Charles Sellon has some funny scenes as a most obstreperous old blister. His contempt for Miss Withers is a joy to behold.Jane Darwell was always a welcome addition to any cast; here she plays a lovable Irish cook. Brandon Hurst as her prim English butler husband, Judith Allen as Dunn's love interest, Lois Wilson as Shirley's doomed mother, and Theodore von Eltz & Dorothy Christy as Withers' pestilential parents all add to the movie's enjoyment.Shirley sings what was to become her signature song - ‘On The Good Ship Lollipop' - and it is a highlight of the film. Many first time viewers, having heard the song all their lives, may be surprised to learn it's about a plane, not a boat - in this case, from American Airlines.