People are voting emotionally.

Memorable, crazy movie

Excellent adaptation.

Unshakable, witty and deeply felt, the film will be paying emotional dividends for a long, long time.

My least favorite S.T. film so far, being centered around illegal activities relating to horse racing and the story that a 6 year old girl is illegally put up for collateral for a $20. bet on a horse. Furthermore, her father committed suicide when he lost the bet. Had this film been made the following year, I doubt the Hays Commission would have passed this scenario. Doesn't sound like a story made for kids of Shirley's age to enjoy! Indications are that Shirley's father probably was about destitute and, since Shirley's mother had died, perhaps he didn't have anyone to help care for her. It does seem strange that Shirley doesn't seem bothered by having been dumped on strangers. Perhaps she was used to other people taking care of her while her father worked or looked for work, etc.. Menjou and Dorothy Dell several times have heated arguments, mostly over Shirley. I'm not sure they will make a good home for Shirley. Dorothy Dell is most positively impressed with Menjou when he prays for Shirley's recovery from a horse fall, and when he dumps a solution of "dope" he was supposed to inject into a horse to hopefully make it win the race, but then likely die after the race.Why do we know Shirley weighed 40 1/2 lbs.? Because the gangsters bet on her weight and had an appropriate scale available.Dorothy did most of the singing of several new songs composed by the team of Ralph Rainger and Leo Robin. Shirley apparently was too young to be trusted with the major singing and dancing assignments. The rather catchy theme song: "Laugh You Son of a Gun" was played during the opening and closing credits. It's also sung by Dorothy, followed by Shirley. Dorothy sings "Low Down Lullaby" when trying to put Shirley to sleep(Dorothy also falls asleep). She also sings "I'm a Black Sheep Who is Blue" formally at the cabaret where she worked. "The Sidewalks of New York" and "The Bowery" were sung by a group of gangsters dressed up like the Knights of the Round Table, with which Shirley was infatuated.

This is a precode film, so the bad guys don't have to be punished for their crimes, and its a good thing because most of the lovable characters would have ended up with long jail sentences if the film had been made a year or two later.This movie may be disappointing for Shirley Temple fans as she does relative little. Most of the movie concerns the rough gangsters whose life is disrupted by her. They are wonderful characters, while Temple does little more than act like "the doll" that the characters often call her.Adolph Menjou and Dorothy Dell really carries the movie. Menjou gives an hilariously understated performance as cheap gambler "Sorrowful Jones" Menjou was a fashionable dresser, so it is particularly funny to see him unkempt in wrinkled clothes for most of the movie. Whereas Walter Matthau played the role with a wink, Menjou plays it quite straight. Sorrowful Jones is a sorrowful human being in this movie. Dorothy Dell gives a terrific Mae West style performance as gangster moll/nightclub singer Bangles Carson. It is assured and polished, and it is impossible to believe that she was only 19 when she did it.Incidentally Dorothy Dell and Dorothy Lamour were best friends as teenagers. When she won the Miss USA beauty pageant, Dorothy Dell invited Dorothy Lamour to come with her to Hollywood. In her autobiography, "My Side of the Road," Lamour notes that they went to the premiere of the Marx's Brother's "Animal Crackers" together in 1930. Dell helped and influenced Lamour to start her career.Also watch some of the great comic actors in small parts here. Lynn Overman as Regret and Warren Hymer as Sore Toe are flawless.This film is more than an excellent Shirley Temple star vehicle, it a comic masterpiece with Shirley Temple as the icing on the cake.

LITTLE MISS MARKER (1934) is one of the absolute dearest movies I've ever seen. I watched it last month on TCM. When it replayed tonight, I was back again. It is a Damon Runyon tale. His stories include men on the wrong side of the law. In this case they are gamblers, bookies, horse race fixers, and the like. The men use some saucy language created by Runyon that is definitely a sign of the 1930's, but some of the words are still around today, so it's an interesting insight into American slang.Shirley Temple really shines in her breakout role. From her first line she hooks us with her entire adorable little self. She charms the grouchy Apolphe Menjou and pals. Due to a series of events, Shirley ends up in Menjou's care. Hilarity ensues and his grinch-like heart becomes the perfect size for the happy ending. Most of the supporting cast are players I'm not familiar with as this movie is a bit older than those I usually watch, but these kooky men with soft hearts and pride fall for Markie and their lives are forever changed. A beautiful story that even shows Menjou praying which humanizes him and makes him even more heroic.This film is old, less then 90 minutes, plays a little bit like a stage production sometimes, has few big name stars, isn't Oscar worthy in the acting category, but it has heart. A big heart! It's pure entertainment like I'm sure depression era patrons needed for a dime or less. The production quality is still good. It's a feel-good comedy drama that is just the perfect film for someone wanting pure entertainment from its humble beginnings. I highly recommend this film:)

This movie is a gem. Shirley Temple dropped into a den of Damon Runyon characters played by terrific actors. Adolphe Menjue's "heart of a bookie" is melted by Shirley. Menjue made over 100 films, and this was one of his best. The rest of the cast is great. You'll enjoy seeing this movie with your mother and your grand kids.