The Little Princess

Plot

The Little Princess (1939) follows young Sara Crewe (Shirley Temple), who is sent to a prestigious boarding school in London while her wealthy father Captain Reginald Crewe (Richard Greene) goes to fight in the Second Boer War. When devastating news arrives that her father has been killed in action and his fortune lost, the cruel headmistress Miss Minchin (Mary Nash) demotes Sara from star pupil to scullery maid, forcing her to work in the attic alongside the kindly servant Becky (Sybil Jason). Despite her harsh treatment and meager existence, Sara maintains her optimistic spirit and vivid imagination, befriending other mistreated children and sharing her meager resources. With the help of a kind Indian gentleman Ram Dass (C. Aubrey Smith) who lives next door, Sara continues to believe her father is alive and searches throughout London's hospitals. The film culminates in an emotional reunion when Sara discovers her father, who has been suffering from amnesia after being wounded in battle, living in a nearby military hospital, leading to a joyous restoration of her status and fortune.

Historical Background

Released in March 1939, 'The Little Princess' emerged during one of cinema's most remarkable years, alongside such classics as 'Gone with the Wind,' 'The Wizard of Oz,' and 'Stagecoach.' The film was produced at a critical moment in world history, with Europe on the brink of World War II and the United States still recovering from the Great Depression. Shirley Temple's films had become a cultural phenomenon during the 1930s, offering audiences escapist entertainment and hope during difficult economic times. The Boer War setting, while historical, resonated with contemporary audiences who were increasingly aware of growing international tensions. The film's themes of separation, loss, and eventual reunion spoke to families separated by the economic hardships of the Depression and those anticipating the separations that war would bring. 1939 also marked Temple's transition from pure child star to young actress, as she was approaching adolescence and the film industry was questioning her future box office appeal. The decision to film in Technicolor represented Fox's significant investment in maintaining Temple's star power through technological innovation.

Making Of

The production of 'The Little Princess' was a major undertaking for 20th Century Fox, representing the studio's commitment to maintaining Shirley Temple's superstar status as she transitioned from child to young adolescent roles. Director Walter Lang, known for his meticulous attention to detail, worked closely with cinematographers Arthur Miller and W. Howard Greene to master the challenging Technicolor process. The casting process was extensive, with Richard Greene selected for the role of Captain Crewe after the studio considered several leading men. Temple's preparation included weeks of dance training for the elaborate musical numbers, working with choreographer Sammy Lee. The film's most complex sequence, the dream ballet, required Temple to perform on a specially constructed stage with painted backdrops and forced perspective techniques. Behind the scenes, tensions sometimes arose between Temple's stage mother and the production team over working conditions and creative decisions. The film's score, composed by Cyril J. Mockridge, incorporated both original compositions and adaptations of period-appropriate music. The production design team, led by Richard Day and William S. Darling, created the Victorian London sets with remarkable detail, including the famous attic room where Sara endures her hardships.

Visual Style

The cinematography by Arthur Miller and W. Howard Greene was groundbreaking for its time, representing one of the first uses of three-strip Technicolor in a family drama. The visual style emphasized rich, saturated colors that enhanced the Victorian setting and emotional tone of the story. The color palette was carefully controlled to distinguish between Sara's wealthy life (warm golds and reds), her impoverished existence in the attic (cool blues and grays), and her dream sequences (ethereal pastels). The camera work employed classical Hollywood techniques with smooth, fluid movements and carefully composed shots that highlighted both the grandeur of the boarding school and the intimacy of Sara's emotional journey. The film used innovative lighting techniques to compensate for Technicolor's technical limitations, requiring brighter illumination than black-and-white filming. The dream ballet sequence featured complex camera movements and optical effects that created a magical, otherworldly atmosphere. The cinematography also made effective use of deep focus to capture the detailed Victorian sets and multiple action within the frame. The visual storytelling through color and composition helped convey the emotional arc of Sara's journey from privilege to poverty and back again.

Innovations

'The Little Princess' represented several significant technical achievements for 1939 Hollywood, most notably its pioneering use of three-strip Technicolor throughout the entire feature. The production required extensive testing of makeup, costumes, and sets to ensure proper color rendition, as early Technicolor had unique requirements that differed from black-and-white photography. The film's special effects, particularly in the dream sequence, utilized matte paintings and multiple exposure techniques that were innovative for the time. The sound recording had to overcome challenges posed by the noisy Technicolor cameras, requiring innovative microphone placement and soundproofing techniques. The production design incorporated historically accurate Victorian architecture and interiors, requiring extensive research and craftsmanship. The film's editing, supervised by Robert Simpson, effectively balanced the dramatic narrative with musical sequences while maintaining continuity across the complex color photography. The costume design by Gwen Wakeling created authentic Victorian-era clothing that photographed well in Technicolor, using specific dye techniques to achieve the desired color effects. The film's technical achievements were recognized with three Academy Award nominations, reflecting the industry's acknowledgment of its groundbreaking contributions to filmmaking technology.

Music

The musical score for 'The Little Princess' was composed by Cyril J. Mockridge, with additional contributions from Louis Silvers, incorporating both original compositions and period-appropriate musical themes. The soundtrack features several memorable musical numbers, most notably 'The Old Soldier' which Temple sings in the film's opening sequence, and 'Dreaming of a Great Big Wedding' performed during the dream ballet. The score effectively supports the emotional narrative, with sweeping orchestral themes for the dramatic moments and lighter, playful motifs for the comedy sequences. The music draws on Victorian and Edwardian musical styles to enhance the historical setting, while maintaining the accessibility that characterized Hollywood film scores of the era. The sound design, supervised by E.H. Hansen, was particularly challenging due to the requirements of early Technicolor filming, which often created issues with microphone placement. The film's audio mix balanced dialogue, music, and sound effects to create the immersive world of Victorian London. The musical numbers were recorded using the best available technology of the time, with Temple's vocals clearly captured despite her young age. The soundtrack was released on 78-rpm records and became popular among Temple's fans, contributing to the film's commercial success.

Memorable Scenes

• The emotional reunion scene where Sara finds her amnesiac father in the military hospital and helps restore his memory through their shared memories and love
• The elaborate dream ballet sequence where Sara, dressed in a beautiful white gown, dances with Arthur Treacher in a magical fantasy setting
• Sara's transformation from privileged student to attic servant, showing her resilience and dignity despite her cruel treatment
• The scene where Sara shares her meager food with the cold and hungry Becky, demonstrating her compassion despite her own suffering
• The moment Sara stands up to Miss Minchin, declaring 'I am a princess' and asserting her inner worth despite her outward circumstances

What Critics Said

Contemporary critics praised 'The Little Princess' for its visual beauty and emotional power, with particular acclaim for Shirley Temple's performance and the innovative use of Technicolor. The New York Times noted that Temple 'has never been more appealing' and praised the film's 'handsome production values.' Variety called it 'one of the best of the Temple pictures' and highlighted its 'emotional sincerity.' Modern critics have reassessed the film as one of Temple's strongest works, with many considering it her most mature performance. The film is often cited as a successful adaptation that captures the spirit of Burnett's novel while incorporating the elements that made Temple a star. Critics have noted how the color photography enhances the Victorian setting and emotional impact of key scenes. The dream ballet sequence has been particularly praised for its choreography and visual inventiveness. Some modern reviewers have pointed out the film's colonial-era attitudes and stereotypical portrayals, while acknowledging these were typical of the period. The film's technical achievements, particularly its early use of Technicolor, have been recognized by film historians as significant milestones in cinema history.

What Audiences Thought

Audiences in 1939 embraced 'The Little Princess' enthusiastically, though it performed slightly below Temple's usual box office standards due to its higher production costs. The film was particularly popular with families and Temple's core audience of children and mothers. The emotional reunion scene reportedly moved many viewers to tears, and the film's message of hope and perseverance resonated strongly during the difficult economic times. The Technicolor sequences were a major draw, with many newspapers noting that audiences were impressed by the visual spectacle. The film's success was international, with strong performances in the United Kingdom where the story was already well-known. Over the decades, the film has maintained its popularity through television broadcasts and home video releases, becoming a beloved classic for new generations. Modern audiences often discover the film through Turner Classic Movies and other classic film platforms, where it continues to receive positive responses. The film's availability on streaming services has introduced it to younger viewers, with many parents sharing it with their children as a wholesome alternative to contemporary family entertainment.

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