Shirley Temple: America's Sweetheart Collection, Vol. 4, Captain January / Just Around the Corner / Susannah of the Mounties

This entire Shirley Temple series includes some of her best, some of her worst, and some mostly average. Captan January was clearly one of her best, Just Around the Corner was one of those "try to feel good" movies of the depression era that seems way too contrived, and Susannah of the Mounties is pleasant enough, but not very special.In Captain January, we have the memorable scene of a very little Shirley Temple and a very tall, lean Buddy Epson dancing a whirlwind dance routine. It is quite amazing how a really little child like that could dance and sing and act so well. She and Captain January (her guardian, though informally) join up with other characters to do some marvelous singing and playing around, very entertaining. But there is also a real tear-jerker of a story involving the people who love the dear little girl and those (especially the new truant officer) who do not.Just Around the Corner, in contrast, is a completely contrived story of a hotel manager (Shirley's father) losing his job due to the depression, and staying on as the maintenance man. Shirley, of course, is completely irrepressible and cheers everyone up. The only really clever part of the plot is when Shirley is shown a picture of "Uncle Sam," who needs help, and mistakes the rich old crab who took over their penthouse for that same Uncle Sam. Well, his name is Samuel, he looks rather like the political cartoon's depiction, and he's her playmate's uncle, so it's a natural. But the old "let's hold a benefit show" is just too contrived. She's cute, but the story is just plain stupid. There are also some rather offensive stereotypes of blacks, but then this was long ago, and I think the producers were trying to be kind, giving jobs to black performers.Susanna of the Mounties would be a lot better movie if it did not perpetuate some pretty stupid stereotypes of Native Americans. Or, in this case, Native Canadians. Shirley becomes the blood "brother" of the tribal chief's son, and there seems to be a sincere effort to portrey the natives as good people. And it is an adventuresome story. But I kept thinking how much better it would have been if they had used a more dynamic actor in the role of Shirley's father.

... to add to your collection of Shirley Temple movies. While these aren't some of her best, they are still entertaining."Captain January" is probably the most fun of the bunch. I like most of the movies Shirley made between 1934 and 1936, and this one falls neatly in amongst them. "At the Codfish Ball", a great song-and-dance number with Buddy Ebsen, is included.By the time "Just Around the Corner" came out, Shirley was getting a little old, and the mannerisms that might have passed for cuteness as a child were beginning to get a little annoying. The movie is still worth seeing though, if only for her dance routines with Bill Robinson.When watching "Susannah of the Mounties", keep in mind that it was a story about a different time (the 1880s) that was made in a different time (the 1930s). It will probably come across as somewhat racist to today's viewers, but it will still probably appeal to Shirley fans.The problems with sound that I noticed on some of the discs in the last two collections seem to have been corrected. The audio was fine, and the colourizations were decent. People thinking of purchasing this collection might want to be aware that, unlike the three previous collections, there was no charm bracelet included with this one (I don't mind... I'm still trying to figure out what to do with the three I now have!).All in all, it's a fine set for the collection. I hope there will be a Volume 5... I'm still waiting for "Stowaway" and "Poor Little Rich Girl" (two of my other 1936 favourites).

I ordered this for my great granddaughter who is only 4. I haven't seen this collection as a set but I am sure I saw them each as a little kid myself because my mother wouldn't miss taking me to see one of Shirley's movies when I lived in Gary, Indiana and was a tap dancing student. I hope there is some dancing because my little great granddaughter is a new tap dance student and in her first recital tomorrow which I am attending with her parents who are my grown grandchildren. I hope I am not disappointed with the videos and I hope my little "tap dance princess" will love it as much as I did as a child.

I have some the other set of Shirley Temple movies that include Bill Robinson and I love to watch them dance together. He does appear with her in one of the movies in this set but she's older and some of the charm is lost. I'm glad I purchased this set for my collection and if you are a fan of Shirley's you won't regret buying this set.

Just Around the Corner / Susannah of the Mounties) (DVD)This is a three-box set containing Shirley Temple's Captain January(1936), Just Around the Corner(1938), and Susannah of the Mounties(1939).Each movie has the original black & white as well as a colorized version. There are subtitles in English and Spanish.Also included is the trailer for Susannah of the Mounties along with two Shirley Temple newsreels(Stage dedication to Will Rogers and A pony for Shirley's 8th birthday).A nice collection for fans of Shirley Temple.

Good price and quick delivery! Thx!

I bought for my grandaughter, and she loves these. These classics still enthrall and entertain generation after generation. Bring back an era when movies were for fun.

would have liked a list of all the movies on it

This collection of Shirley Temple V4 collection are amazing. Shirley is adorable as always and each movie tells a great story.I watch the movies two times the B&W version is my favourite because i like the contrast in B&W and I also watch the color version which is beautifully been colorized. I highly recommend it!Michelina IulianoEdmonton, AlbertaCANADA

just what we wanted as a gift

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