roddekker Yes. Of course, I do realize that this movie is now 80 years old (and, yes, times were definitely different back then) - But, hey, from my point of view - I thought it was actually pretty sad to see how Hollywood had typecast young actress Shirley Temple to the point where, at the age of 9 (in Heidi), she was still playing the exact same, cookie-cutter character that she had been continually playing since the age of 4.(Of course, Temple would continue to play this exact same character for yet another 4 years, until she started to develop breasts and make demands that her studio cast her in more demanding and age-appropriate roles) For the most part - (From an adult's perspective) - I found this 1937 picture (whose story was set in 1880) to be far too overly sentimental for its own good and way too heavy-handed when it came to its emphasis on the "religious" angle of its story.Yes. There were some OK moments in this picture - But, from where I was sitting, I just could not warm up to Shirley Temple's recycled-to-death screen-persona of chubby cheeks, golden ringlets and plucky demeanor, ad nauseam.

PamelaShort Shirley Temple's version of Heidi, is another film I enjoy watching every Christmas season, and little children will find it delightful too. This is really one of Temple's best film's, added with her special charming touches. The underrated child actress, Marcia Mae Jones is also very lovely with her performance as Klara, the invalid girl who Heidi helps to walk. Jean Hersholt is marvellous as the grandfather, who is surly towards Heidi at first, but soon turns to love the precious child. The comical Arthur Treacher adds some humorous touches to this story. Mary Nash, Sidney Blackmer, and child actor Delmar Watson, all portray their characters perfectly, making this a very entertaining and heart-warming adaption of the classic child's story.Well worth a look during the Christmas holidays.

MARIO GAUCI This, along with several other Shirley Temple vehicles, has been an Italian TV perennial for years – particularly over the Christmas period – but I never bothered with it, despite the involvement of director Dwan. Just a couple of weeks ago, it turned up again and I even recorded it – despite being both dubbed and colorized! However, since I managed to find it on DVD, I opted to watch HEIDI 'as intended'. Incidentally, not only have I recently acquired – or watched – a number of the director's later efforts, but I've even watched a later TV adaptation of the Johanna Spyri novel.As it turned out, the film is an utterly professional (and typically handsome) Darryl F. Zanuck production but I think that the story was tailored far too much to suit the ebullient child star's usual formula: not only do we get Arthur Treacher (receiving unwarranted third billing!) as a typically bemused butler, but Temple is made to act as cupid between the new parson and the local schoolmarm; besides, we're treated to a totally irrelevant fantasy song-and-dance number, two separate antagonists in the shape of her aunt and jealous governess – not to mention the apparently requisite corny final close-up! Among the differences I noticed from the 1968 version (which is probably more faithful to the source material) is the fact that Temple befriends the invalid child immediately and even gets to be the one who cures her psychosomatic ailment! Besides, the incidents which climax the later version i.e. Grandfather's religious redemption and Clara's 'cure' itself occur earlier here, whereas the highlight of the film is taken up by a sleigh-chase in the snow with the Police pursuing the hysterical Grandfather! The overly made-up Jean Hersholt is fine as the latter, while the supporting cast also includes Mary Nash as the overbearing Governess, Sidney Blackmer as Clara's father (whose role is much reduced here) and Sig Rumann in a bit part as a police official. All in all, then, I found the 1968 TV adaptation to be the superior effort.

shanfrina ... Thank-you AMC for showing this memorable, childhood classic during Thanksgiving '07. Brought back many memories of the pre-10 yr. old days for me.& what a treat seeing comic genius Arthur Treacher again!?! As the butler, he NEARLY stole-the-show. Recall him on Merve Griffin's early TV series. He was a riot as-a-guest. Shirley's not bad either, but that governess was EVIL!?! Surprised she didn't scare us more than Margaret Hamilton as the Wicked Witch of the West!!! Share this wonderful film with your children. Or enjoy it again-all-over for just YOU!!!... Forget all the remakes & stick with this ORIGINAL. You can't beat it!