SteinMo What a freaking movie. So many twists and turns. Absolutely intense from start to finish.

Fairaher The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

Ogosmith Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.

Lachlan Coulson This is a gorgeous movie made by a gorgeous spirit.

PamelaShort This is the third Shirley Temple film, that I also enjoy watching during the Christmas season. Again it is not a Christmas story, but it does takes place at Christmas. This film is also a perfect example of the sweet, kind, and adorable curly-topped little girl, that endeared Shirley Temple to the Depression-era audiences of the 1930s. She sings her famous trademark song " On The Good Ship Lollipop " in Bright Eyes, and deals with the snobby, spoiled brat character, that Jane Withers plays so convincingly. Shirley Temple would never be upstaged again by another child in any of her other films. Another scene stealer in this movie, is Charles Sellon, who is wonderful to watch as the cranky Uncle Ned Smith, who softens so sweetly towards Shirley. A very tender scene takes place Christmas eve, when Shirley says her prayers with her mother, and she hangs the longest stocking on her bedpost. Christmas morning, the happy child excitedly tells Mrs. Higgins ( Jane Darwell ) the housekeeper what Santa Claus brought her, meanwhile bratty Jane is seen tearing through her presents. James Dunn has a prominent and important part in this story, and it's always a delight to watch his scenes with Temple. Unfortunately, in this story the mother is struck by a car and killed, which maybe a difficult moment for little children to understand. But as in all Shirley Temple films, a happy ending always prevails. Bright Eyes is one of those endearing stories, that continues to deliver pure entertainment.

kidboots This was Shirley Temple's last movie as a "real" child. After this she was always "Little Miss Fixit", usually wiser than the adults, manipulating the people around her, whether by tears, songs or sweet looks to her particular needs. Of course the main reason to see this film is Jane Withers. She is a riot as Joy, whether trying to run Shirley over, slapping her dolls into good behaviour, pounding away on the piano or asking for a machine gun for Christmas. She proved that brats have more fun in the movies (except at the end when she gets her come-uppance). I can remember watching Jane Wither's films as a child - she was certainly a lot more bubbly and energetic than Shirley and I agree with the other reviewers, there should be more of her films in release.The first sight is of Shirley, looking adorable, in aircap, goggles and leather coat - she is "thumbing a ride" to the airport to see Loop (James Dunn). He was her daddy's best friend and tells her stories about her father's flying adventures before he "cracked up". Her mother is employed by the Smythes, a high flying family (excuse the pun), counting on the expectations of rich "Uncle Ned". Their daughter, Joy, is the ultimate "spoilt brat" whose obnoxious behaviour is encouraged by her psychiatrist, who tells her parents not to criticize but always give her positive encouragement. Jane Withers is the whole show - in her scenes with Shirley she completely dominates the screen (and not only because she is twice as tall)!!!Uncle Ned's one consolation is Shirley and after her mother is killed in a road accident he is determined to adopt her. Before all the drama Shirley gets to sing her most famous song, "On the Good Ship Lollipop" to the crew of Loop's plane. Did she ever get sick of singing that song I wonder??? Loop's one time fiancé, Adele (Judith Allen) comes to stay with the Smythes and falls under Shirley's spell. She and Uncle Ned join forces to try to adopt her but Loop also wants Shirley. James Dunn had such a rapport with Shirley - he was by far the best of her male co-stars. He was a bright and breezy leading man who should have had a bigger career.After another scene with Joy - this time about Shirley's dog Wags, Shirley decides to use Loop's magic ring and runs away. She hides in the plane that Loop uses for an unexpected mail run to New York. In the film's most exciting sequence Loop and Shirley bail out when the plane is caught in a fierce storm. Their parachutes almost go over the cliff and Shirley quips "Let's do it again"!!!This is one of her best films and it is really lifted by the co-stars. Apart from Jane Withers, Charles Sellon is an absolute scene-stealer as Uncle Ned. Jane Darwell often played sympathetic roles in Temple movies and Dorothy Christy, who always enhanced any movie she was in plays Anita Smythe.Recommended.

Cyke 119: Bright Eyes (1934) - released 12/11/1934, viewed 9/22/08.BIRTHS: Judi Dench.DOUG: It appears I had completely misunderstood Shirley Temple's niche in Hollywood before I watched this movie. I thought that her movies were all-out musicals for kids only, but she was more for the family and all-ages market. Bright Eyes is not a kids' movie, nor is it really a musical, other than the famous Good Ship Lollipop number. That number is, I think, more indicative of a trend in the early sound period where nearly every movie made tried to incorporate a scene with music. I thought the movie was going to be predictable, and it mostly is; the Smythe family never really become more than one-dimensional caricatures, ready to toss the lovely Shirley out onto the street while still indulging their own demonic daughter's every whim. Still, it managed to surprise me in a few places. Loop and Uncle Ned, the two most awesome characters and the ones who care about Shirley the most, suddenly become enemies as they each try to claim custody. **SPOILER ALERT** I was almost in tears a couple times: when Shirley's mom dies was pretty rough (though that car hit looked awfully gentle), and Loop flying through the storm is pretty intense. **END SPOILER** If you're trying to get an idea of what Shirley Temple was all about in Depression-era Hollywood, Bright Eyes is a great place to start. Contract Player Alert: Charles Sellon (Uncle Ned) and Jane Withers (Joy) both appeared three films ago in It's a Gift, as Mr. Muckle and the hopscotch girl, respectively. KEVIN: This movie surprised me. I really didn't expect to like it much, but the themes of the film and the complexity of many of the characters kept me interested. Of course little Shirley is great, everyone knows that, but all the adult characters, none of whom I recognized right off, are all very well acted and fully fleshed out. **SPOILER ALERT** I'm not gonna lie, I was indeed moved to tears in the scene where Loop (James Dunn) must tell little Shirley that her Mom has died. **END SPOILER** And I was even more intrigued when Shirley is taken in by the snobbish, blue-blooded Smythe couple with their bratty, Nazi-in-training daughter (Jane Withers). Although the custody battle between Loop and the Smythes is the center of the movie, the film does a really good job setting up the characters and getting all its ducks in a row for maximum emotional punch. I couldn't help but giggle at the schmaltzy happy ending, starting with the judge deciding that the proceedings "won't need lawyers anymore." Everyone gets what they want and/or what they deserve, even the crotchety uncle.Last film: The Man Who Knew Too Much (1934). Next film: The Scarlet Pimpernel (1934).

Neil Doyle Author/Director David Butler put together a script that showcases SHIRLEY TEMPLE as a lovable little girl who gets caught up in a nasty custody battle when her mother dies and her aviator god-father (JAMES DUNN)wants to adopt her. Scenes between Temple and Dunn are so natural that you'll have a hard time not getting a lump in your throat in the scene where he assures her that her mother (who has just died) is in heaven with the angels. Yes, it does get a little sticky at times.But wait!! Before things become to saccharine and predictable, little JANE WITHERS, America's most lovable brat, shows up as a nasty rich girl who delights in tormenting everyone around her, especially Shirley. It's a great role for Jane and she makes the most of it, whether imitating a machine-gunner or threatening to make mincemeat of Shirley's dolls.And believe me, she's a welcome presence in a Shirley Temple vehicle that does tend to get all dewy-eyed over the adorable princess. Watch the scene on the plane where the aviators all watch Temple as she sings "On the Good Ship Lollipop", strolling down the aisle and enjoying all the male attention. You can almost sense something darker than is supposed to meet the eye with the way they all leer at her. But she is, quite simply, at her most fetching in that casually charming little number.Shirley's first film tailored just for her, and it opened at Radio City Music Hall in 1934 to cheer Depression-era audiences with its innocent star at her most disarming. Easy to see why she would become the nation's number one box-office star four years in a row.