MovieChat Forums > Daddy Long Legs (1955) Discussion > I read this book!

I read this book!

posted 15 years ago by bexnrz
4 replies | jump to latest

but I never knew it was a movie! now i get to watch it.
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~The Flock

[–] trpdean 13 years ago

I hope you love the movie.

In fact, the book's been made into a movie a few times - including with Shirley Temple as a child in "Curly Top"! (No, she doesn't fall in love with her benefactor!! Instead, the movie turns the girl from Daddy LongLegs into two girls - Shirley and her older late teenage or early 20s aged sister played by the beautiful Rochelle Hudson. Both are in an orphanage and taken to a wonderful life by their anonymous benefactor, played by the charming, wonderful John Boles.

John Boles is so appealing as an actor that he was chosen to play the handsome, charming, kind, affluent and erudite man Barbara Stanwyck wrongs as his wife in "Stella Dallas" and to whom she tearfully surrenders their daughter to help her rise in life. As a singer, he has a nice voice - and sings in the true crooner style of the time.

Boles and Hudson fall in love with each other - and they and her sister Shirley Temple live happily ever after! You'd like it - many famous songs sung by Shirley Temple.

[–] bworm76 13 years ago

This was one of my favorite books as a teenager. I recently saw a stage version that was great and understand they are trying to develop it for Broadway. I'd love to see an updated film version that stays true to the book.

[–] cnb 13 years ago

It is such a charming book, so ahead of its time in its view of women. I'd like to see a sort of Merchant-Ivory style production (though I know Mr Merchant is gone, and that their productions were British!) that is true to the book, but it would be hard to maintain the book's surprise in a movie, wouldn't it?

[–] melnar1 10 years ago

It was also made into a stage musical in Britain in 1951 titled Love From Judy, with music by Hugh Martin, lyrics by Hugh Martin and Jack Gray, book by Eric Maschwitz and original author Jean Webster. It was first produced in Coventry in 1951 and later at the Saville Theatre, 25 September, 1952.