User reviews

Here's another "cute" Shirley Temple movie with interesting characters and a decent share of good song-and-dance numbers. The story is similar to a few other Temple films in which a nasty person takes Shirley away from the good people but the good guys prevail in the end. It was a tried-and-true formula in the Temple movies.

Here, the "villain" is truant officer (Sara Haden) who wants to take Shirley away from good guy "Captain January" (Guy Kibbe). Kibbe and Slim Summerville are fun to watch as peers and friends who squabble all the time. Haden is effective in her role because you just want to slap that woman!

Shirley and Buddy Ebsen team up for a very entertaining song-and-dance routine to "The Codfish Ball," the best song in the movie.

The film gets a bit uncomfortable when Shirley gets taken away but ends in the normal tearfully-happy Shirley, as always, back with her loved ones and the people who really care about her. Those include the "widow" played by Jane Darwell and the school teacher, acted by June Lang.

All in all, it's the normal Temple movie that provides good feelings, something we viewers always need.

CAPTAIN January (Fox, 1936), directed by David Butler, is prime Shirley Temple in a formula story about an orphan named Star who is being raised by Captain January (Guy Kibbee), a crusty old lighthouse keeper of Cape Tempest, Maine, after being rescued from a shipwreck that has drowned both her parents four years ago. All goes well until Agatha Morgan (Sara Haden), a new tyrant officer from Salem, who feels that the child isn't being reared properly, makes arrangements to take the child away from him and have her placed in an institution.

Based on the story by Laura E. Richards, CAPTAIN January is an updated reworking to an earlier 1924 Principal Pictures 1924 silent version starring Baby Peggy, Hobart Bosworth and Irene Rich. As much as this new adaptation has the makings of a straight drama, due to Temple's musical talents, and the support of a young hoofer named Buddy Ebsen (on loan from MGM), song numbers were inserted to give it some added sparkle. With the score by Lew Pollack, Sidney Mitchell and Jack Yellen, songs include: "Early Bird" (sung by Shirley Temple); "The Codfish Bowl" (sung and danced by Temple with Buddy Ebsen); a portion from "Lucia di Lammermoor" (an opera by Gaetana Donizetti, performed by Temple, Guy Kibbee and Slim Summerville) "The Right Somebody to Love" (sung by Temple/ and unseen chorus during dream sequence); "The Right Somebody to Love" (reprise by Temple) and "The Codfish Bowl" (sung by Temple, Kibbee and Summerville). With the exception of a dream sequence, where singing is possible, all the other song numbers are inserted the story, with the music played by an off-screen orchestra right on cue. For the fade-in, it's morning and Kibbee places a record player into Temple's bedroom. Temple awakens, stretches her arms into the air and looking straight into the camera starts singing the opening lyrics of "Good Morning" which begins her opening number of "Early Bird." She dances her way to the bathroom where she changes into her sailor clothes, and occasionally continues to look her way towards the camera as she brushes her teeth. A little fake, but not as imaginative as her next number, "The Codfish Bowl," displaying the dancing talents of both Temple and Buddy Ebsen. This is performed on the dock surrounded by loafing seamen playing a harmonica and according before the hi-fi off-screen orchestration sets in. A show stopper that's regrettable in not having Ebsen and Temple performing another one for an encore. Also in the cast are Jerry Tucker (Cyril Morgan); Nella Walker (Mary Mason); George Irving (John Mason); Harry Hayden(Ira J. Slocum(; and James Farley(The Deputy Sheriff).

While 20th Century-Fox might have used some of its own resident lovable old coots as Claude Gillingwater Sr., playing Captain January, for example, the studio used Guy Kibbee from Warner Brothers, who, in the final product, proved to be the logical choice. Kibbee also makes a memorable over-sized baby with a bib sitting in the high chair in an amusing dream sequence with Temple acting as his nursemaid.

Aside from some melodramatic scenes, including Temple crying for "Cap" as she is being being taken away by the officers after losing his position as lighthouse keeper, CAPTAIN January is equipped with amusements, the best being the exchanges between Guy Kibbee and the underrated Slim Summerville as Captain Nazro, January's best friend, along with the middle-aged Eliza Croft (Jane Darwell), a rich widow woman after the affections of January. Buddy Ebsen, years before immortalized on television as Jed Clampett in THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES (1962-1971), supports as the loafer with a talent for dancing who finds companionship with the local school teacher named Mary (June Lang). Their characters are essential to the plot, but both have little to do. The story relatively belongs to the trio of Temple, Kibbee and Summerville.

Temple, who rarely gets a chance to share screen time with another child actor of equal age status, does so this time with Cyril Morgan (Jerry Tucker), a precocious but obnoxious little boy with whom she finds she has to compete in an entrance exam to enter the third grade. It so happens that Cyril happens to be the nephew of the woman who wants to take Star away from January. As much as the boy keeps telling Star that she knows nothing, this equally precocious little girl eventually displays how much she does know and more.

CAPTAIN January, at 76 minutes, was one of the handful of feature films displayed in 1989 on Playhouse Video, a division of CBS/Fox Video, as part of the Shirley Temple collection. With video transfer satisfactory, most important, it's complete, with the restoration of the closing cast credits to the underscoring to "The Codfish Bowl", usually cut from TV prints. In some local television markets (particulary the New York City area prior to 1976), the closing cast credits was substituted with a NTA (National Television Association) logo. When the Disney Cable Channel presented Shirley Temple movies in the early 1990s, all of which were colorized, the closing cast credits were included while prints for American Movie Classics (1996-2001) and later, the Fox Movie Channel, in the original black and white format, eliminated the closing credits with an insertion of a THE END title card taken from another movie. FMC later had the closing credits restored. While the Shirley Temple collection from Playhouse Video has been out of print, CAPTAIN January can also found colorized in both the VHS and DVD format.

Regardless of format CAPTAIN January, is recommended viewing for adults and youngsters alike, especially those who endure themselves with old-fashioned screen entertainment equipped with comedy, songs and a touch sentiment combined. (**1/2)

This is the kind of film to make anyone a SHIRLEY TEMPLE fan. Here the little miss is once again an orphan but this time a kind-hearted lighthouse keeper (Guy Kibbe) is raising her as his own. Troubles come when the local schoolmarm decides Shirley needs a better education and upbringing.

Shirley not only sings a couple of bright tunes, but has a big dance scene on the wharf with Buddy Ebsen--complete with intricate taps and all kinds of whirls as they dance to "At the Codfish Ball". This and her opening number "Early Bird" are among the film's most charming routines.

Shirley gets emotional during the final tug of war where she is being torn away from the Cap, a crying scene that reveals just how deeply felt some of her performances were.

Highly recommended.

Captain January (1936)

*** (out of 4)

Remake of the 1924 film has Shirley Temple taking over the role originally played by Baby Peggy. In the film she plays the feisty six-year-old Star who has been raised by Captain January (Guy Kibbee) ever since he found her after a shipwreck killed her parents. Their lives are perfect until a truancy officer (Sara Haden) shows up and tries to start trouble. CAPTAIN January is a step up from the original silent version thanks in large part to the terrific cast. With such an irresistible cast it's nearly impossible not to be entertained by this film no matter how predictable it gets. In regards to the predictability, there's certainly nothing here that's going to shock the viewer because it follows the original film fairly closely, although the truancy officer is something new here. In the original it was the girl's original family showing up that caused the problems. There's no way anyone won't see the ending here coming but it was quite good. The performances are really what makes this one worth watching with Temple and Kibbee doing a wonderful job together. There's no question that their chemistry is off the chart as the two really do come across as being very close and loving. Slim Summerville adds terrific support as the best friend and we get a young Buddy Ebsen in a small role and Jane Darwell is also great in her part. Most people remember Haden from the Andy Hardy series but she's downright perfect as the villain here and I'd say she's one of the most hated villains from any film during this era. You'll be wishing a painful torture to her character! CAPTAIN January, as I said, isn't original and it contains no big twists but it's sweet enough and features such a cast that it's pretty much irresistible.

I had an unusual opportunity to see both the original 1924 version of "Captain January" (Starring Baby Peggy) and the 1936 version (Starring Shirley Temple). And, while I will freely admit that Shirley was an amazing talent, I actually preferred the original a bit more. Much of it might be because the singing and dancing in the remake seemed a bit out of place with such a sad story. Part of it might be that I just prefer originals in almost every case.

The story is not exactly the same as the original. The biggest difference is WHO Captain January is. In the 1924 film, it was the child's nickname but in this film, it's the name given to the child's adoptive father. Either way, the child was found along the shore following a shipwreck where the child's parents were killed. She was raised by a nice old lighthouse keeper (Guy Kibbee) and years later, a nasty old biddy wants to take the child away and put it in an orphanage because she feels the man is a bad influence on the kid. In the original, it was the child's aunt and uncle who threaten to take the kid and the old biddy was only a minor character. Either way, it all ends well--and everyone, naturally, is very happy.

This is a good family film....but not a great one. Shirley was fine and the film enjoyable but it just didn't seem like an improvement on an already lovely film. Worth seeing, but I recommend you see both.

This movie wasn't very long, but it told a good story in its short time. The year 1936 was quite a busy one for Shirley Temple, as she made "The Little Colonel", "The Littlest Rebel", and maybe some others besides this one, quite a big feat for such a small girl. But Shirley was no ordinary little girl, and that's quite an understatement!

She's her outstanding self, as she plays an orphan named Star, or at least that's the name Captain January gave her, when he rescued her at sea, from a shipwreck that killed her parents. He unofficially adopts her (after a halfhearted attempt to find relatives), and they live in the lighthouse that he operates. The townspeople adore her, including Captain Nazro (Slim Summerville), a good friend of Capt. January's, sailor Paul Roberts (Buddy Ebsen) and his schoolteacher girlfriend, Mary (June Lang). Shirley and Buddy make quite a duo when they dance and sing "At the Codfish Ball"!

The idyllic picture is marred by the autocratic new truant officer (Sara Haden), determined to get Star into school, skeptical of Capt. January's claims that he's been teaching her himself. She also doesn't believe he's a fit parent (after seeing some of the sailors teaching Star how to spit in the wind) and thinks steps should be taken to get Star away from what she considers a bad environment. (She's in for a surprise when Star takes the test for admittance to the third grade.)

To make matters worse, the lighthouse is being automated, and January's services will no longer be necessary, meaning he'll have no way of supporting Star. Believing it's for the best, Capt. Nazro finds the address for Star's aunt and uncle in Boston (who never answered the one letter Capt. January's sent) and writes to them about Star.

It's a cute story, but also very emotional and I won't give anymore away, except to say that if you like happy endings, you won't be disappointed.

A vindictive truant officer attempts to wrest little Star from CAPTAIN JANUARY, the old lighthouse keeper who saved her from a watery grave.

Shirley Temple captivates her audience once again in this, one of her most popular films. Aided by fine production values courtesy of Fox, the Tiny Tyke does not disappoint. Singing & dancing, laughing or crying, she once again exhibits all the talents which for years made her top of the Hollywood box office heap.

It's difficult to imagine anyone other than cuddly Guy Kibbee in the title role. He's excellent, but he's also given firm support from old pros Slim Summerville & Jane Darwell. Sara Haden makes a nasty villainess, while OUR GANG bad boy Jerry Tucker is her obnoxious nephew. Pretty June Lang plays the sweet village schoolteacher.

Amiable hoofer Buddy Ebsen joins Shirley in a wonderful song & dance number, ‘The Cod Fish Ball.' Tall & pliable, with plenty of goofy facial expressions, Buddy's performance gives a little idea as to how much he might have contributed to THE WIZARD OF OZ three years later over at Metro, had not health reasons forced him to withdrawal.

Shirley also sings ‘Early Bird' and, in a delightful nursery fantasy, ‘The Right Somebody To Love.'

Maybe the best all-around movie of Shirley's career in terms of the acting of the entire ensemble and a well-constructed script. Shirley tugs at your heartstrings, of course, but the story never strikes a false note. And some of the scenes of the lighthouse are magnificent. Watch this one with the entire family.

Captain January is Shirley Temple at her best. The film is a remake of a silent film that starred Hobart Bosworth and Baby Peggy. I can't imagine that it is any better than this one.

The title role is played by Guy Kibbee who is a lighthouse keeper on the New England coast. Kibbee rescued Shirley from a ship wreck, but other than a photo album has no clue to her identity. Shirley is now a mascot of sorts in the town where the lighthouse is located. The only disturbance to Kibbee's tranquility is the marriage minded Jane Darwell.

That all ends when a new truant officer comes to town played by Sara Haden best known for being the maiden aunt who lived with the Hardy family. She's a severe maiden in this film in fact she looks like she could be auditioning for Ms. Gulch and the Wicked Witch of the West in this film.

Of course it all works out in the end for our little moppet and for her guardian Captain January.

Highlight of the film is Shirley dancing with Buddy Ebsen in the Codfish Ball number. Slim Summerville has an important role her also as Kibbee's best friend and occasional voice of reality.

Captain January holds up well today for the kid in all of us.

Shirley Temple's films for Twentieth Century Fox aren't negligible because they're poorly-made (Darryl F. Zanuck supervised most of them, after all); they don't retain much of a "classic" stature among cinema aficionados mainly because they're weighed down with the syrupy optimism of Depression-era Hollywood. 1930s audiences were placated by the delight of seeing a dimply, often orphaned sunshine girl making the grown-ups look foolish by comparison (they fretted and wrung their hands while she danced her troubles away). Seen these many years later, Temple's vehicles barely get by on story (aided always by musical sequences to bolster the content), and her timing (always too-perfect) and exaggerated reactions might leave most modern viewers rolling their eyes. No one could possibly be blamed for their exasperation over Temple's performance here (shouting lines at the top of her lungs) or the perverseness of her dance steps, sashaying with a crowd of sailors to "At the Codfish Ball". Still, the fantasy aspect of this particular story, previously filmed in 1924 from the book by Laura E. Richard, is enough to captivate those in the proper saccharine spirit. Seems Shirl was pulled from a shipwreck by a government-appointed lighthouse keeper, but when a truant officer from the State Board finds out the tyke isn't in school, she threatens to take the kid away. It doesn't really matter if the prune-faced officer has a point that Temple isn't being raised properly (the woman is turned into the proverbial villainess almost immediately); one can see right away that Temple can hold her own, taking care of herself and her elderly guardian in the bargain (as well as the local widow who has her hooks in for the Captain). Temple isn't the only one overly-rehearsed; Guy Kibbee's January is cued for wide-eyed reactions so often you wonder if maybe if he didn't film them all in one day. The dialogue is steeped in waterfront metaphors ("You can't rush a trout!" ... "Well, don't give up the ship!), and something about the whole enterprise seems strangely pixilated. ** from ****

I love this film -- one of the sweetest Shirley Temple's movies(all right, I'm always saying that).

Shirley plays Star, an orphan found by Captain January(played by Guy Kibbee), who is the guardian of a Light House. She loves her life there, but a bad 'officer' tries to take her away from him -- so she must do a test in school for the third grade. Things get worse when they have to leave the light house.

This film is perfect for watch with the kids. Of course, adults can love it too. Shirley is sweet as always, singing and dancing, especially in "At the Codfish ball" and "The Right Somebody to love". Anyway, a very enjoyable movie with the great child-star Shirley Temple, with a great cast of co-stars and a great humor!It's very fun to watch!

Lovely!

Once again, Shirley Temple steals the show, and warms the heart with her curls and dimples. This is a great movie for the kids and the whole family, along with all of Temple's other family features. Guest star Buddy Ebsen puts on an entertaining show in the beginning of the movie with little Shirley Temple. 7 out of 10.

This was the first Shirley Temple movie I remember watching as a kid during the early '80s when I-along with my siblings and parents-visited some family friends in Gulfport, Mississippi. I remember liking her singing and dancing and feeling for her when she had to leave her beloved father figure of the title character. That title character was warmly played by Guy Kibbee and most of the best scenes are between him and Ms. Temple. Also loved Buddy Ebsen-especially when he's dancing with Shirley-and Slim Summerville. There were also plenty of laughs like the scenes of Shirley and Jerry Tucker-who had quite a year in 1936 as he was not only a member of Our Gang performing with the likes of Spanky, Alfalfa, and Darla, but also appearing with Bing Crosby in Anything Goes and Clark Gable in San Francisco-who plays an arrogant nephew of the truant officer who's not very nice to Captain January. So on that note, this movie is very much recommended.

Little Star (Shirley Temple) lives in a lighthouse with the keeper, Captain January (Guy Kibbee). He is her unofficial guardian and has been so for years, after rescuing the little gal from a shipwreck. Her parents drowned. Their is strong love and bond between the crusty older man and the wee girl. Because he wants to keep her in his household, Cap hasn't registered Star for school, even though she is of kindergarten age. Instead, he has taught her at home, giving her arithmetic lessons as they count the steps up and down the lighthouse and so forth. Also on hand to help are Cap's argumentative friend, Nazro (Slim Summerville) and sailor Paul (Budde Ebsen). But, spying Star on the streets, a truant officer insists that Cap put Star in school. Very nervous about this venture, as Star doesn't have any dresses and, more importantly, he considers Star his family and doesn't want it ripped apart, the two move forward. Cap borrows money from a friend to buy Star a lovely dress and the little girl does so well on the entrance exam, she is put in first grade immediately! More trouble arrives. The lighthouse is being replaced by one that doesn't need a keeper and Cap will be out of a job. As his employment is uncertain, Star may indeed be placed in a foster home. But, what about the documents found with Star during the shipwreck? Could they provide information about any relatives Star might still have in the world? Don't fret, happy endings are what our Shirley does best! This beautiful film is a delight in every way. The cast is terrific, with Kibbee, Summerville, Ebsen and the rest supporting the most darling child star ever. Just watch Temple and the young Ebsen dance to the wonderful At the Codfish Ball. The coastal scenery is also nice while the story has plenty of humor and drama to provide captivating entertainment. Be it January, February, March or any other month, get Captain January and know you will be watching one of Shirley's best films ever.

Actually, Captain January is one of my favorite Temple flix because of the music. For many years, it was out of circulation, not shown on the tube, and not available on video. I finally got to tape it on AMC several years ago, and it's still fum to watch. The score is especially warm and interesting. It's supposed to be written by Louis Silvers, but it was fine writing by whomever the arranger/ orchestrator was. Not my FAVORITE Temple flick, 'cause she did several that are better than this in terms of substance. The main attractions are the music, her dance episodes with a young Buddy Ebsen ( was there ever such a thing?), and the mushy relationship with the Cap'n. And the whole family can get in on the act !!

I have loved this movie since I first saw it in 1984. My favorite Temple flick. It is a good story and quite typical of the Shirley Temple movies of the time, but what stands out to me is the songs and innocence of the period.

Crusty lighthouse keeper Guy Kibbee (as Captain January) gently rouses a sleeping Shirley Temple (as Star) from her slumber. She sings and dances while getting dressed, and washes her cute face while magically putting on her pants and shirt. Little Miss Temple is estimated to be old enough for the third grade, but since she washed up from the Maine coast, Mr. Kibbee can't be sure of the girl's exact age. Local inspector Slim Summerville (as Captain Nazro) is like a surrogate uncle. Temple enjoys song and dance time with rubbery-legged fisherman Buddy Ebsen (as Paul Roberts). He would like to marry schoolteacher June Lang (as Mary Marshall), but the halibut aren't swimming...

The fact that Temple lives with Kibbee and doesn't attend school irks newly appointed "truant officer" Sara Haden (as Agatha Morgan). It doesn't help that mean Ms. Haden walks in on Temple's guardians showing off a series of revealing tattoos. A "hula dance" by Temple was cut from the film, lest the star appear sexually suggestive; considering Temple is briefly seen donning her "grass skirt" while talking to Mr. Ebsen, excising the number can be understood. Marriage-minded Jane Darwell (as Eliza Croft) has a good supporting role. Also watch for "know-it-all" nephew Jerry Tucker (as Cyril Morgan) to forget 1492, and future "Bowery Boy" William "Billy" Benedict (as Bud) to deliver some bad news...

Everything moves a nice pace, with seeming spontaneity and a sprinkling of whimsy; of course, it's really all very predictable (and a re-working of the 1924 silent starring "Baby" Peggy and Hobart Bosworth). The surreal interlude with Temple and Kibbee exchanging roles is a marvelously inserted piece of magic; it also ends at just the right moment, if you're paying close attention. With a fine soundtrack highlighted by "The Right Somebody to Love" (covered by The Mamas & The Papas as the lead song for their 1968 album) and "At the Codfish Ball", plus a perfect co-starring characterization by Kibbee, "Captain January" is quintessential Temple. She made better movies, but became a more calculating performer...

This film is would serve as an excellent first (and possibly last) look at Shirley Temple, especially for young children.

********* Captain January (4/17/36) David Butler ~ Shirley Temple, Guy Kibbee, Slim Summerville, Buddy Ebsen

I'm generally not big on Shirley Temple kid films, although she is a great performer. This is one of her best films as a child.

She is an orphan (isn't she always?) found at sea by an old lighthouse keeper. Among the lighthouse keeper's buddies are film legends Slim Summerville (sole survivor of "All Quiet on the Western Front") and Buddy Ebsen (surely everyone knows the original Tin Man and Jed Clampett).

The film is probably best classified as comedy/drama/music. Although it was made 75 years before the date of this review, 20 years before I was born, I have to admit, and I'm sure most honest people will admit, it is funnier, livelier, and more amusing than over half of the comedies made since 1990.

Why is that? Probably because at one time films were made with the public in mind, for the public, instead of vice versa.

The film moves at a brisk pace, and seems like it takes only a few minutes.

Lots of mature, likable characters, but we do have a villain. Sara Haden would steal the show as Agatha Morgan, the one you love to hate, if not for the super performers abounding in the cast. As Agatha, Sara presents a sort of sexuality underneath a vicious bark. Next to the gorgeous lead heroine, she blends into the background a bit. This was one great actress.

There is just about everything going for this work. We care about the characters, and our interest is kept throughout. Very engaging.

10 Stars for this team.

Thanks much to director David Butler, the craftsman who worked so well with Shirley Temple. Every single performance here is a gem. Veteran actor Guy Kibbee is perfect as the old skipper, Captain January, who has adopted little Star (Shirley Temple) after her parents were killed. She also has a couple of step-uncles in the form of Slim Summerville (as Captain Nazro) and young Buddy Ebsen, playing Paul. You could not ask for a better family.

Realty intervenes, the mean old truant officer (Sarah Haden) wants Shirley back in school -- and the captain's lighthouse is in jeopardy. About as dramatic, and yet poignant as it gets. I agree with the last reviewer, there are some terrific lighthouse scenes, which was a novel setting for a change of pace. This film may have also brought lighthouses back in vogue.

Great support from Jane Darwell, who has a little crush on the captain. Also look for beautiful June Lang as the school teacher. Lang would play Shirley's mother in WEE WILLIE WINKIE. Not to miss Buddy Ebsen, a song and dance man to his credit, having fun with Shirley.

About as good as it gets, and again thanks to director David Butler, this his fourth film with Shirley. Always on dvd and remastered blu ray for all us long time fans. Applause to TCM for running this film great for years. Never gets old.