Dimples Appleby lives with her pick-pocket grandfather in 19th century New York City. She entertains the crowds while he works his racket. A rich lady makes it possible for the girl to go legit.
Acting
Temple's preternatural charisma at age eight.
Costume
Raggedy Victorian street urchin chic, iconic.
Director
William A. Seiter
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Released during the Great Depression, this was Fox's answer to economic anxiety: watch a child sing-dance her way out of poverty. Audiences ate it up.
Shirley Temple was Hollywood's #1 box office draw 1935-1938, beating Clark Gable. This film helped invent the modern child star industrial complex.
US
