Shirley Temple was one of the biggest stars of the 1930’s. Her performance in Heidi, based on the novel by Johanna Spyri, shows why. She sings and dances, and is a pretty good actress. It’s the heartwarming story of an orphan, who is put into her grandfather’s custody; when Heidi’s Aunt Dete gets a job in Frankfurt, Germany. At first, the grandfather sees Heidi as a burden, but later his bitterness goes away, because of the love he feels toward her. Jean Hersholt plays Adolph Kramer, Heidi’s grandfather very well. He goes from playing a bitter, isolated old man, to one whose heart becomes full of love, for his granddaughter.
This happy relationship is spoiled, when Aunt Dete , comes back. She takes Heidi back to Frankfurt. She sells her to Fraulein Rottenmeier, to be a companion to Klara Seseman; an invalid played by Marcia Mae Jones. Fraulein Rottenmeier is played by Mary Nash, who has nearly set the bar in this movie for playing evil people.
Even though Heidi is happy in the company of her friend Klara, she misses her grandfather. She states this to Klara’s father, Herr Sesemann. He says he understands, but he cant do anything. Although heartbroken, life goes on for Heidi. She still finds happy moments, with her friend. One of her happy moments, and a very funny segment in the film; is when she lets an organ grinders monkey in from the cold. The monkey is chased over the house by Fraulein Rottenmeier and Andrews, played by Arthur Treacher. The monkey is later taken back into custody by its owner. The girls and Andrews find the incident hilarious. The Fraulein does not find it that way. She breaks a treasured snow globe of Heidi’s. Herr Seseman doesn’t look kindly on this, and fires Fraulein Rottenmeier.
The Fraulein doesn’t take kindly to this. She attempts to sell Heidi to gypsies. Heidi escapes and runs away. She is spotted by her grandfather, who has trekked from his Swiss village to find her. He is frantic, and goes knocking on doors. He is arrested by the police, and taken into custody. He later escapes, and find Heidi. The police take him back into custody, and the Fraulein is there waiting to take Heidi. The last laugh is on Fraulein Rottenmeier. Heidi says she was abducted by her, and mentions Herr Sesemann. The police talk to him and everything is cleared up. Heidi is reunited with her grandfather. Also Heidi’s friend, Klara is able to walk. The final scene shows Heidi, Klara, Herr Sesemann and Adolph Kramer in Switzerland in the spring. Also there is Andrews, who is comically trying to milk a goat.
Allan Dwan has applied his directing skills well with Heidi. The slapstick scene with the monkey should give even the most serious person a laugh. Almost half of this movie takes place at Christmas. He has inserted one of the best Christmas scenes in this film. The servants are given bonuses and everyone sings Silent Night. Outside there is snow, and people are singing Christmas carols. Although its a timeless children’s tale, this is a movie that everyone can enjoy.