Search - Shirley Temple Storybook Collection 3-pk #2 on DVD

Six family classics with Shirley & Co.

Byron Kolln | the corner where Broadway meets Hollywood | 07/21/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Three discs packed with six choice episodes from Shirley Temple's anthology series, SHIRLEY TEMPLE'S STORYBOOK (aka "The Shirley Temple Show"). Acting as a precursor to later series like "Faerie Tale Theatre" and Jim Henson's "The Storyteller", SHIRLEY TEMPLE'S STORYBOOK was a big ratings winner for NBC. Temple hosted and also indulged in an occasional starring role, surrounded by an amazing cast of noted Broadway and Hollywood talents.

All episodes in this collection come from the 1960-61 colour season of the show.

PIPPI LONGSTOCKING (Season 2 Episode #15): Astrid Lindgren's colourful, fearless young heroine comes to life thanks to a perfectly-cast Gina Gillespie. We follow Pippi on several adventures with her neighbours Tommy (Gregory Irvin) and Annika (Kelly Smith), including a day at school where Pippi matches wits with teacher Miss Lindquist (Renie Riano), and a visit to a carnival with Tor Johnson as the strong-man!

KIM (Season 2 Episode #2): Shirley Temple must have especially loved this episode, as it was repeated several times during the run of SHIRLEY TEMPLE'S STORYBOOK. Based on the Rudyard Kipling novel, the story follows the incredible adventure of one small boy (Tony Haig) upon whose shoulders rested the entire fate of the British army. Co-starring Michael Rennie and Alan Napier.

WINNIE THE POOH (Season 2 Episode #3): The characters of A.A. Milne's Hundred Acre Wood come to thrilling life thanks to the marionettes workshopped by Bil and Cora Baird in this lovely episode, starring Shirley Temple as Mother and featuring Teddy Eccles as Christopher Robin.

BABES IN TOYLAND (Season 2 Episode #14): Originally broadcast for Christmas 1960, this adaptation of the Victor Herbert operetta is co-hosted by Shirley and her three children. Temple also takes the role of gypsy witch Floretta, with Jonathan Winters as evil Uncle Barnaby, chasing after his two young relatives (Michel Petit and Angela Cartwright), so he can steal their inheritance.

MADELINE (Season 2 Episode #5): Gina Gillespie brings to life the plucky heroine of Ludwig Bemelman's series of children's books. In an old house in Paris that's covered in vines, lived twelve little girls in two straight lines. The youngest one was Madeline... Co-starring Imogene Coca as Miss Clavel, we follow Madeline and next-door neighbour Pepito (Michel Petit) as they go in search of missing dog Genevieve, but become side-tracked by the delights of a colourful gypsy circus. Keep your eyes peeled for Ann Jillian as the oldest of the Clavel girls.

THE PRINCESS AND THE GOBLINS (Season 2 Episode #24): Shirley Temple stars as Princess Irene in this adaptation of George MacDonald's fantasy novel, about a mysterious, hidden race of goblins and the adventurous princess who discovers their plot. Co-starring Alice Pearce, Mary Wickes and Irene Hervey."