Captain January

I love Shirley Temple movies! I loved them when I was a child, and I love them now! I recently saw Captain January again, and time has not diminished the capacity of this multi-talented child star to both delight and tug at the heartstrings of the viewer.In this black and white film, Shirley Temple plays Star, a child rescued from the sea when she was a wee one by Captain January, a lighthousekeeper, played by Guy Kibbee. Star fondly calls him Cap, and the two love each other as if they were, indeed, father and daughter. Then, the fates intervene, when an officious truant officer seeks to separate the two. Never fear, as with all Shirley Temple vehicles, this one has a happy ending.Along the way, she sings and dances up a storm, with her adorable dimples flashing incandescently at the audience. Her tap dancing sequence with Buddy Ebsen, in the role of an out of work sailor/fisherman, is stellar, as is her rendition of the signature song of the film, "At the Cod Fish Ball". She is simply delightful to watch. This is a film that is over eighty years old but can still entertain both young and old alike. Thus is the magic of this iconic child star.

This 1936 film stars Shirley Temple as Star Mason, who, as an infant, is rescued from the sea by lighthouse keeper Captain January (Guy Kibbie). Unfortunately, the Captain never formally adopts her, and a truant officer keeps attempting to take Star away from him and send her to public school. When January loses his lighthouse job due to automation, he loses Star, but not for long; her aunt and uncle are eventually found in Boston, and after claiming Star, they purchase a yacht and hire Captain January as a lighthouse keeper, much to Star's delight.The best-known number in the film is "At The Codfish Ball," danced by Shirley and Buddy Ebsen. While Ebsen was best known for his TV roles as Jed Clampett and Barnaby Jones, he was quite a song-and-dance man in his day (see the  Dean Martin Variety Show Uncut  for proof). Shirley also does a couple of solo numbers, including a clever routine where she taps down the stairs while reciting her multiplication tables.The film has both black-and-white and colorized versions, fake stereo, English mono and Spanish mono soundtracks, and English and Spanish subtitles, as well as trailers for other Temple films, and newsreel footage of Shirley at a Will Rogers tribute. Definitely worth your while. R.I.P., dear Shirley...

I have two grandsons, ages 3 and 5, who are your typical rough and rowdy boys. They love Shirley Temple. Captain January has been a hit with them. They especially love the dream sequence where "Cap" is a grumpy baby in a high chair. The dancing pelican is also a favorite. All the song and dance routines (especially with Buddy Ebsen) get them on their feet moving with Shirley. How amazing that this unique child star can still delight and inspire young children. The oldest grandson thinks taking tap lessons might be cool!

In the dark days of COVID-19, these old Shirley Temple movies take me back to a better time and put a smile on my face. Love them. They are colorized, but I’m okay with that.

I grew up watching the old black and white Shirley Temple movies with my mother. This set added color but not to the point of being unrealistic. Honestly, it is easier to get young kids to watch movies in color (the seem less old-at least in my house). I've been able to pass them on to the next generation. It's a good clean movie where the girl doesn't have to be a princess to have an adventure.

I had been looking for Captain January for many years. Not a lot of people remember this episode. I adored Shirley Temple.

Great dance routines and an appealing story.

Superb storyline and excellent cast. Uncle Jed was as skinny as a rail! And his dance moves were as good then as we occasionally saw in Beverly Hills. But the star is the extremely gifted Shirley Temple. Don't think she was ever in a bad movie, but if so, this wasn't it. She sang, she danced and she acted, all at the same time, and did them all, very well. This movie is about how people should be with folks. Less the truant officer, of course! Entertainment without the 21st centurys extremes. Insist that your kids watch it. They'll balk at first, but will soon settle into it. Will be one they'll remember in their hearts, and show to their kiddos too!

well..! ! I saw this as a very young girl.. then in that year my friends and i were in awe of such a girl about our ages that was so clever an getting paid for it.. haha.. at our age.. BUT now that I have watched it as an adult.. I am more than impressed.. it has so many life lessons in it that pulled at my heart strings .. I was in tears.. hah ! s'weird but true.. cheers hmac..

Any film with shirley temple is a great film. This was no different. I was over the moon with the film and it took me back to my childhood.

My 7yr old granddaughter loves her and really made up with her gift.Have to say I enjoyed it too

nothing to say really just like the classic movie

Excellent dvd, fast delivery and service, strongly recommend