Dr. Donald Middleton (Joel McCrea) wanted to be a research physician, discovering important cures. However, when his wife, Elsa (Rosemary Ames) became pregnant, he settled for being a smalltown, New England family physician. Still, he is conducting his own experiments on the side but the result is that he works extremely long hours. Elsa has been patient, for she loves her husband and knows he cares for her and their daughter, Molly (Shirley Temple). Dr. Don still manages to take a break for Molly's "May and September Saturdays", that is, two picnics at a local park called Heaven's gate, where Don and Elsa met. One day, a handsome, rich male neighbor returns to his mansion next door. He invites Elsa and Don to ride with him on various mornings, but only Elsa has time for it. Trouble starts to brew when the neighbor makes a big play for the beautiful Elsa and Dr. Don continues to spend more time away from the house. Just what will be the result? This is a tearjerker of a film which, nevertheless, produces giggles, also, when Shirley is on the screen with her beloved doggie, Sniff. Just like any little girl, Shirley's Molly is pretty oblivious to problems at home so she continues to sing, dance, and crack jokes, even when her parents are having severe problems. McCrea is very good as the fine but workaholic father while Ames is pretty and touching as the neglected wife. All other lesser actors do a nice job, too. The picnic scenes are beautiful, the costumes quite acceptable, and the storyline is a true heartgrabber. Therefore, if you want to see Shirley in a smile-through-my-tears little flick, get this one soon. It might even bring estranged couples together again, for its support of marital reconciliation is very uplifting, even as the kiddies are entertained, too.
