Although Will Rogers never appeared in a movie with Shirley Temple, he knew the little girl. They shared the prestige of being the top movie stars in 1934-35. In keeping with the theme of Will Rogers and Will Rogers-era movies, February Night at the Movies at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum on Feb. 28 will feature Shirley Temple and Will’s friend Joel McCrea in Our Little Girl.
Museum doors open at 6:30 p.m., the movie starts at 7. Admission is free and popcorn, drinks, and refreshments are provided by Bank of Commerce.
Our Little Girl is a 1935 American drama, released shortly before Will Rogers’ death in an Alaska plane crash. The film was the final work of the veteran director, John S. Robertson, as well as the final work of actress Rosemary Ames.
Shirley Temple plays Molly Middleton, daughter of Dr. Donald Middleton (McCrea), a busy doctor. He was so busy it led to the parting of Molly’s parents. In her way of reuniting her parents, she ran away from home.
Joel McCrea, who played opposite Will in Lightnin’ and Business and Pleasure, was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the inaugural Will Rogers Motion Picture Festival in 2019.
