Back in the beginning of Shirley Temple's career, she was not especially talented (but what four year-old is?) and she starred in a series called "Baby Burlesk" by Educational Pictures. All of them featured casts made up exclusively of kids who were barely older than toddlers and the joke was that these tykes acted in roles traditionally played by adults. So, you often see Shirley act the part of a vamp--and the films are SUPER-uncomfortable to watch given today's sensibilities (and the fact that the films would really appeal to pedophiles). While "Kid 'in' Africa" does not have as many of the sexual overtones as most of the other films, it more than makes up for it by being extremely racist. The film is set in Africa and Shirley must contend with a mostly black cast who want to eat her!! I am sure this would raise quite a few eyebrows today and the notion that Africa is full of cannibals is ridiculous.
By the way, the film has a few scenes that might actually make you laugh--but then you feel pretty ashamed of yourself for doing so. Creepy and nasty.
