Fresh from being the bratty little girl who spanked her own doll and was mean to Shirley Temple, Jane Withers became the newest child star bringing joy to depression era movie audiences. She didn't remain nasty for long, becoming a lot sweeter, if still feisty, as a series of "Miss Fix It" style characters who brought happiness to the adults around her. She's a little Irish girl coming over to America in third class, and befriends Russian immigrant Rita Cansino (later Hayworth), and makes her fellow steerage passengers very happy with a little song and dance. Even the ship's captain is touched by her performance, overlooking the fact that she's smuggled a dog on board. But tragedy is in store for this lively little girl who discovers that her mother (working as a maid in New York) has passed away and she is being returned to Ireland. With the spinster owners of the household away, the butler and housekeeper take her in, and shy Pinky Tomlin (nephew of the two rigid aunts) makes plans to adopt her, falling in love with lovely Rita who shows up at the house in desperation to find her.
While the songs aren't really necessary in this sentimental tale, they don't take away from the charm of the film's sweetness. Withers, who seems to sound more Scottish than Irish, is endearing, and she is surrounded by a fine cast of character performers, from Jane Darwell as the loving housekeeper who comforts her after she learns the truth about her mother to Vera Lewis and Louise Carter as the stuffy aunts. George Givot goes overboard as Hayworth's bombastic brother. The yet still unknown Hayworth is certainly lovely enough to warrant further attention, but her pairing with Tomlin is rather odd.
Of the musical numbers, only "Keep That Twinkle in Your Eye" (Withers' shipboard number) is even remotely memorable, with the finale "Balalaika" production number embarrassingly maudlin. You do for one of the few times in her career get to hear Rita actually sing, and while her voice is rather high pitched, it isn't too bad. There are a few moments which bring on the emotions, yet it never feels forced or manipulated. Unlike Temple, Withers would change with each character, whether in looks or personality, and I think this makes her the better actor of the two. It's no wonder that during this time, she briefly made an appearance on the list of top 10 box office attractions, as she seems more realistic and less cloying. Unfortunately, her films were difficult to find for years, but are now available through the Fox Classics collection for the world to rediscover.
While the songs aren't really necessary in this sentimental tale, they don't take away from the charm of the film's sweetness. Withers, who seems to sound more Scottish than Irish, is endearing, and she is surrounded by a fine cast of character performers, from Jane Darwell as the loving housekeeper who comforts her after she learns the truth about her mother to Vera Lewis and Louise Carter as the stuffy aunts. George Givot goes overboard as Hayworth's bombastic brother. The yet still unknown Hayworth is certainly lovely enough to warrant further attention, but her pairing with Tomlin is rather odd.
Of the musical numbers, only "Keep That Twinkle in Your Eye" (Withers' shipboard number) is even remotely memorable, with the finale "Balalaika" production number embarrassingly maudlin. You do for one of the few times in her career get to hear Rita actually sing, and while her voice is rather high pitched, it isn't too bad. There are a few moments which bring on the emotions, yet it never feels forced or manipulated. Unlike Temple, Withers would change with each character, whether in looks or personality, and I think this makes her the better actor of the two. It's no wonder that during this time, she briefly made an appearance on the list of top 10 box office attractions, as she seems more realistic and less cloying. Unfortunately, her films were difficult to find for years, but are now available through the Fox Classics collection for the world to rediscover.