Common Sense Media Review
By Brian Costello
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Classic Shirley Temple film promotes positivity.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 6+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Heidi
What's the Story?
Little Heidi (Shirley Temple) is left by her selfish Aunt Dete with her grandfather, a taciturn hermit. Through her plucky charm and positive attitudes, Heidi inspires her grandfather to be nicer and to reach out to the outside world again. But when Aunt Dete steals Heidi back to Frankfurt and leaves her with the stern and vicious Fraulein Rottenmeier, Heidi's grandfather leaves his isolated home to find her and take her back.
Is It Any Good?
While it might be arguable whether children will find HEIDI as entertaining as their parents and grandparents, what is inarguable is the period charm of this 1930's classic. Shirley Temple effortlessly steals every scene she's in (although Arthur Treacher, as the archetypal British butler, certainly comes close), and between the moments of slapstick comedy and cutesy-kid acting, there is also plenty of action in the form of sleigh chases and Grandfather's indomitable yearning to rescue Heidi from the aptly-named Rottenmeier.
It is very much a product of its time, but its entertainment value continues to span generations.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how child actors portrayed characters in the 1930s as compared to now. What are the similarities? The differences? If this film were to be remade today, who do you think would play Heidi, and how would the movie be different?
Even though the film is set in Europe and the characters are supposed to be European, many of the characters have American accents. Does this matter? Why or why not?
What are the many ways this film, made over 70 years ago, reflects the era in which it was made?
Movie Details
- In theaters : October 15, 1937
- On DVD or streaming : August 30, 2005
- Cast : Arthur Treacher , Jean Hersholt , Shirley Temple
- Director : Allan Dwan
- Studio : Twentieth Century Fox
- Genre : Classic
- Topics : Adventures
- Run time : 88 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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