As a movie buff I am something of a contradiction, since you could well ask why someone who can appreciate the goriest of horror films as well as the many charms of subtitled arthouse flicks could also be a sucker for little Shirley Tenple -- but I admit this unshamefacedly! (I also like Deanna Durbin, but for somewhat different reasons.)
This confession is occasioned by my having re-watched two of her films within the last few days: "Curly Top" from 1935 (when she was seven) and "Little Miss Broadway" from 1938 (when she was ten). In both of these she plays an orphan who brings song and laughter to the other orphans, especially in the earlier movie where the regime was strict, and in both she is adopted by men who find her irresistible (don't even think how this might be taken nowadays -- the '30s were a time of innocence). Wherever she went, she spread joy and happiness and the Depression era audience lapped this up; it is no secret that she single-handedly saved the Fox Studio from collapse. She is so talented and self-confident as she dances about on her chubby little legs, that it is easy to understand her appeal. In the earlier movie she sings "Animal Crackers in my Soup" one of her best-known turns and it is only when her adult co-stars (John Boles and Rochelle Hudson here) start crooning as well, that one appreciates the difference between magic and mere competence.
The other thing I love about her films, at least through 1940's "The Blue Bird" is the wonderful supporting casts she was given. Not so much in the earlier movie under discussion here (although Arthur Treacher's butler is a treat), but in the later movie we not only get the charming Miss Temple but also have a dancing George Murphy (who became a California politician while Ronald Reagan was still in B-roles), Jimmy Durante, Edna May Oliver doing one of her comic snooty turns, and the ever-reliable Donald Meek who made every screen appearance of his a memorable one. And I could name a dozen more.
Shirley wisely retired at age 21 and although some of her teenaged roles were pretty memorable too, they did on average lack the brilliance of her unforgettable early turns. Fortunately for us we have the celluloid record to fall back upon and can admire the bounty bestowed by this incredibly gifted child.
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