Wee Willie Winkie (film) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wee Willie Winkie |
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Theatrical release poster
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| Directed by | John Ford |
| Produced by | Darryl F. Zanuck Gene Markey |
| Written by | Julien Josephson Ernest Pascal Mordaunt Shairp (uncredited) |
| Starring | Shirley Temple Victor McLaglen C. Aubrey Smith Cesar Romero |
| Music by | Alfred Newman |
| Cinematography | Arthur C. Miller |
| Editing by | Walter Thompson |
| Studio | Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation |
| Distributed by | Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation |
| Release date(s) | June 25, 1937 (Los Angeles) |
| Running time | 100 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | over $1 million |
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Wee Willie Winkie is a 1937 American adventure drama film directed by John Ford and starring Shirley Temple, Victor McLaglen, and Cesar Romero. The screenplay by Julien Josephson and Ernest Pascal was based on a story by Rudyard Kipling. The film's story concerns the British presence in 19th-century India. The production was filmed largely at the Iverson Movie Ranch in Chatsworth, California, where a number of elaborate sets were built for the film.
The film is noteworthy for not having any elaborate song or dance routines which had become staples in Temple's films for 20th Century Fox.
William S. Darling and David S. Hall were nominated for an Academy Award for Best Art Direction.
Plot
During the British Raj, Sergeant Donald MacDuff escorts Joyce Williams, an impoverished widow, and her young daughter, Priscilla, to a military outpost on the northern frontier of India to live with her stern father-in-law, Colonel Williams. Along the way, they witness the capture of notorious rebel chief Khoda Khan. Soon, Priscilla, nicknamed 'Wee Willie Winkie' by MacDuff, wins the hearts of all the soldiers, especially her grandfather and MacDuff; even Khoda Khan is touched by her visits to cheer him up in his captivity. Meanwhile, her mother is courted by Lieutenant Brandes.
Khoda Khan is rescued by his men in a night raid and a fight breaks out. MacDuff is fatally wounded while out on patrol. He passes away in the hospital while Priscilla sings "Auld Lang Syne" to him.
Priscilla decides to persuade Khoda Khan to stop fighting when Mohammed-din, a soldier who is actually Khan's spy, smuggles her out of the base and takes her to the rebel mountain fortress. Khan is greatly pleased; he thinks that the colonel will bring his entire regiment in a hopeless attempt to rescue her.
Colonel Williams halts his force out of range and walks alone to the entrance. A few of Khan's men start shooting at Williams, and Priscilla rushes to her grandfather's side. Impressed by the colonel's courage and overcome with empathy for the child, Khan orders his men to stop firing. He agrees to negotiate and the war ends.
Cast
- Shirley Temple as Priscilla 'Winkie' Williams
- Victor McLaglen as Sergeant Donald MacDuff
- C. Aubrey Smith as Colonel Williams
- Cesar Romero as Khoda Khan
- June Lang as Joyce Williams
- Michael Whalen as Lieutenant 'Coppy' Brandes
- Constance Collier as Mrs. Allardyce
- Douglas Scott as Mott
- Gavin Muir as Captain Bibberbeigh
- Willie Fung as Mohammed-din
- Brandon Hurst as Bagby
- Lionel Pape as Major Allardyce
- Clyde Cook as Pipe Major Sneath
- Lauri Beatty as Elsie Allardyce
- Lionel Braham as Maj. Gen. Hammond
- Mary Forbes as Mrs. MacMonachie
- Cyril McLaglen as Cpl. Tummel
- Pat Somerset as Officer
- Hector V. Sarno as Driver
- Harry Tenbrook as Soldier (uncredited)
