Movie and Fun Fashion: The Truth About Charlie (2002)

“The Truth About Charlie” (2002) is a movie which starred Mark Wahlberg and Thandie Newton. When the movie was being hyped in the media, I listened to an interview with Mark Wahlberg discussing his character. He played an American agent who was assigned to a post in Paris, France. He said to make his character more believable, he decided to wear a beret. He figured since he was an American agent performing “undercover” activities, wearing the beret might help him blend in and be less noticeable.

Hmmm? Interesting fashion tip! Come to think of it, I don’t often see American men wearing berets. But I guess the men in France wear a beret?

Here's the answer to that question.

It turns out that berets were adopted by the French military. In the 1920s, a beret became a popular fashion accessory for both men and women. However, according to Trip Advisor, it's mostly just tourists you will see wearing the felt berets.

I am American and went to Catholic school. Our school uniform included a yellow beret. I rather like wearing berets. In USA not many men wear berets but women often sport them to accessorize their outfits.

LINKS OF INTEREST:

How to Style a Beret like an American | STYLE REPORT MAGAZINE (archived copy)

Beret Style Inspiration - How to Wear a Beret

The Truth About Charlie Movie Review (2002) | Roger Ebert

 

** Do you like wearing a beret?

I do.  When I was younger, my choice would have been a RED beret. Now that I’m older, my color pick is BLACK. 

* * *

IT'S A REMAKE!

NOTE:  This movie is a modern remake of an old movie classic ~ “Charade” (1963) ~ which starred Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn.  Since I am a loyal Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn fan, in my humble opinion, the remake did not hold a candle to the original.  But it was still fun to watch. Why not watch both of them back-to-back.  Great for Friday night OR Saturday afternoon at the movies.

Music Legends: The Beatles: The White Album

Are you an incurable Beatles-maniac? People who suffer from Beatlemania don’t want to be cured. Went through some of my old posts on one of my blogs and found one about The Beatles. This legendary group of singers and musicians is one that people never grow tired of. Their fandom extends across generations and their songs appeal to the youth of today just as much as they did to the youth of my day when they made television history by appearing on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1964.

Did you watch (or have you seen a video of) that historic moment when The Beatles appeared on the Ed Sullivan show?

People love news about The Beatles whether it’s history or brand new news. The Rolling Stone, a magazine publication that is just as iconic as The Beatles announced some exciting news on September 24th, 2018 about the “The White Album”, The Beatles’ 1968 masterpiece. The “Super Deluxe” album is full of unheard songs and new versions of well-known songs like “Hey Jude“. According to the article writer, it’s not a revolution, it’s a revelation. Fans will be pleased!

* According to Independent, a reputable UK publication, “Hey Jude” was on a Top 10 List of the most popular songs in 1968.

• REF: Sheffield, Rob. “The Unheard White Album: An Exclusive First Listen.” Rolling Stone, Rolling Stone, LLC, a Subsidiary of Penske Business Media, LLC. , 24 Sept. 2018, www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/beatles-unheard-white-album-exclusive-first-listen-727928/.

*
Image credit: Amazon.com
Original Source: Virily.com

***

• The White Album
• The Red Album (The Beatles 1962 - 1966)
• The Blue Album (The Beatles 1967 - 1970)

Question: Is it Soul Music or Music From the Soul?

Is it Soul Music or Music From the Soul?

"Soul music is a popular music genre that originated in the African American community throughout the United States in the 1950s and early 1960s. It combines elements of African-American gospel music, rhythm and blues and jazz."  Per Wikipedia

Soul music in America emerged in the late 1950s and early 1960s as a powerful blend of gospel, rhythm and blues, and African‑American cultural expression. It became the emotional soundtrack of the Civil Rights era, marked by passionate vocals, call‑and‑response patterns, and rhythms rooted in the Black church. Artists like Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, James Brown, and the Motown roster helped turn soul into a national and global force, shaping everything from R&B to rock and later inspiring genres like funk and neo‑soul.

Soul music’s emotional depth and rhythmic foundation not only powered the rise of funk and neo-soul but later became the heartbeat of hip hop and rap, carrying its spirit into new generations of Black musical expression. Hip hop and rap grew directly out of soul, funk, and R&B traditions, sampling them, reinterpreting them, and carrying forward the emotional and cultural storytelling that soul helped define.  Just like proud musical grandchildren, the new generations didn’t just inherit soul’s groove — they remixed it, sampled it, and sent it back into the world with a thank‑you note tucked between the beats.  (Per Carnegie Hall and Britannica)

So I'll ask the question again.

Is it Soul Music or Music From the Soul?

Interesting question, huh? Do you accept the answer from Wikipedia, Carnegie Hall, and Britannica?

I'll tell you what I think.

I THINK:
I think the soul creates the music.  It has to be that way. Most songwriters or musicians will probably say they composed a piece as the result of something going on inside of them – their minds, their emotions, their heart, their soul.  I think the soul music released by the late Marvin Gaye (1939-1984) was music produced from his soul.

Link of Interest: History of Soul Music

War Movie Classics: The Dirty Dozen

If you are making a list of greatest war movies, The Dirty Dozen (1967) has to go on that list.  All-star cast. All-star action!  “The Dirty Dozen” is a war movie classic. 

Image credit.

This is my movie review.

Traditionally, in the United States, around Independence Day (4th of July), Memorial Day (celebrated the last Monday in May), Veterans Day (November 11), etc. television stations air military movies that are supposed to foster American patriotism. At one time FoxNews.com published a list of “The 30 Greatest War Movies of All Time”. Some of the movies I picked were on their list. Some were not. But they're still on my list for great war movies.

The Dirty Dozen (1967) is one of them. 

This is a great movie about 12 convicts being given a second chance to start life over if they serve their country on a military mission and of course if they survive. I still enjoy it every time I watch it. These two lines are the ones I still remember. 

*** (Background for the scene: There was an obvious commotion coming from the room; the definite sound of men fighting, or rather … settling their differences in the only way men know how.)

- Sergeant Clyde Bowren: [as Major Reisman exits the room ] : Whats going on, sir?

- Major John Reisman: Oh, the gentleman from the South had a question about the dining arrangements. He and his comrades are discussing place settings now.

***
Cracked up (laughed) when the major said that. Some say the movie Inglorious Basterds was inspired by this movie. Well it may have been inspired but it was nowhere near as good as this classic starring some of my favorite actors: Lee Marvin, Charles Bronson, Telly Savalas and Jim Brown, to name a few. They tried to do sequels but they are not as good as the original. 

No argument that it's a classic.  But some say the movie “Inglourious Basterds ” was inspired by this movie. Inspired?  Perhaps.  Better than?  Not even close!!  Have no doubt Quentin Tarantino, the Director of "Inglorious Basterds", would say "Amen!" to my comparison.  This classic film starred some of my favorite actors: Lee Marvin, Charles Bronson, Telly Savalas and Jim Brown, to name a few.

Original source

 * * * * * * * * IN MEMORY OF * * * * * * * * 

Remembering the stars who are no longer with us. 

* Lee Marvin (February 19, 1924 – August 29, 1987) 

* Charles Bronson (November 3, 1921 – August 30, 2003) 

* Aristotelis “Telly” Savalas (January 21, 1922 – January 22, 1994) 

* Jim Brown  (February 17, 1936 – May 18, 2023)

***

After Three Decades 'Practical Magic 2' Will Be Released September 2026

The Owens Sisters Are Back! Practical Magic 2 is officially on its way, arriving in theaters on September 11, 2026, nearly three decades after the original film enchanted audiences. After its theatrical run, the film is expected to stream on Max, continuing Warner Bros.’ recent release pattern.

• Based on Alice Hoffman’s 2021 novel The Book of Magic, the sequel returns to the beloved blend of fantasy, romance, comedy, and family drama that made the first movie a cult classic.

Movie poster

PLOT SUMMARY:

A whisper of enchantment is stirring again around the Owens family. Even the teaser’s incantation~ “Tooth of wolf and morning dew, something old and something new” ~ feels like a spell cast to awaken memories of the original film.

At the heart of the story are the sisters, Sally and Gillian Owens ~ brought back to life by Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman. They find themselves drawn once more into the shadow of the centuries-old curse that has shaped their family’s fate. But this time, the magic runs deeper. The sequel expands into a sweeping, multi-generational tale as Sally’s daughter ~ played by Joey King, begins to feel the first tremors of her own power. Her awakening sets off a chain of supernatural echoes tied to the Owens bloodline, forcing the family to confront long-buried secrets and rekindle bonds that time and tragedy have strained. Together, the Owens women must summon every ounce of courage—and magic—to face the darkness that has haunted them for generations.

What Each Actress Brings to the Sequel

• Joey King:  The presence of this young American actress adds a vibrant spark to the evolving Owens legacy. Having begun her career at just four years old, King has grown into one of Hollywood’s most versatile young performers, shifting effortlessly from heartfelt roles in Ramona and Beezus (2010) to the chilling tension of The Conjuring (2013), the global popularity of The Kissing Booth trilogy (2018–2021), and the emotional intensity of The Act (2019), which earned her Emmy, Golden Globe, and SAG Award nominations. Her recent work in Bullet Train (2022), The Princess (2022), and We Were the Lucky Ones (2024) further showcases her range—making her a natural fit for a story steeped in destiny and transformation.

• Award-winning actresses Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman return to bring a sense of full-circle magic to the project. Bullock, known for acclaimed performances in The Blind Side (2009), Gravity (2013), Speed (1994), and Miss Congeniality (2000), continues her producing work through Fortis Films and lends both star power and emotional grounding to the sequel. Kidman, celebrated for The Hours (2002), Moulin Rouge! (2001), Big Little Lies (2017–2019), and The Others (2001), brings her own creative influence through Blossom Films. Both actresses have expressed genuine excitement about returning to the Owens universe, a sign that the sequel aims not just to revisit the past but to deepen it.

Drawing from Hoffman’s rich four-book Practical Magic series, the film promises a story woven with moonlit secrets, inherited power, and the unbreakable ties of family.  Practical Magic 2 invites audiences back into a world where love is a force of nature and magic is both a gift and a responsibility.

• NOTE: The Practical Magic Series by Alice Hoffman is a Collection of 4 Books (PracticalMagic, The Rules of Magic, Magic Lessons, and The Book of Magic)

Fans are excited for the Owens women to cast their spell once more.

WATCH THE TRAILER

BOOKS ADAPTED TO FILM: The Hunchback of Notre Dame (with Apologies)

You know what they say about classic novels?  They are the books that everybody has on their bookshelf at home, but nobody reads them.☺ This post has a couple of apologies.

FIRST APOLOGY:  I apologize to Victor Hugo.  I have never read any of his novels (only excerpts).  But I do know that they must have been really, really good, because a few of Hugo's novels were adapted to film.  As an adult, I've watched a few of those movies.  But as a child, I only remember one film based on Victor Hugo's iconic 1831 novel:  "The Hunchback of Notre Dame", released in 1939. 

WOW!  What a movie!  Loved that scene where Quasimodo, the hunchback (Charles Laughton), lifts the gypsy girl Esmeralda (Maureen O’Hara) into the air and shouts “Sanctuary! Sanctuary!!”  Made quite an impression on my young mind. ☺

“The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939) | | Ffilms.org.” N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Jan. 2017.

SECOND APOLOGY:  I have to apologize to those who decided on a remake of this classic, which was released in 1997. When this movie was first released, I did not watch it because I thought it would not measure up to the 1939 movie I had watched as a child. But one night, I was looking for something to watch on YouTube and found it.  I was so wrong! This remake is actually quite good.  Salma Hayek stars as Esmeralda, the gypsy woman. Mandy Patinkin is Quasimodo, and Richard Harris is Dom Claude Frollo. The supporting actors were excellent, and the scenery was awesome!

Fun Fact:
The filming locations were Budapest, Hungary; Prague, Czech Republic; and Rouen, France.

I give this 1997 film 4.5 our of 5 stars. Watch it on YouTube.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1997)

🌟 Three Fascinating Facts about Hugo's novel "The Hunchback of Notre-Dame"

• Victor Hugo wrote the novel partly to save Notre-Dame Cathedral, which at the time was neglected and even considered for demolition. The book’s popularity helped spark a restoration movement. (Wikipedia)
• The original French title wasn’t about Quasimodo at all—it was Notre-Dame de Paris, emphasizing that the cathedral itself is the true central “character” of the story. (Britannica)

• The novel is set very precisely in the year 1482, and Hugo meticulously researched medieval Paris to recreate its architecture, streets, and social life in vivid detail. (Mental Floss)

Cathedral de Notre Dame de Paris ~ The Past and the Future 

Book or Film Adaptation: Classic Thriller: Night of the Fox by Jack Higgins

This post is a recommendation of three (3) books written by British author Jack Higgins (1929 - ), who is aptly described as "...one of the best-selling authors of popular thrillers and espionage novels."  I thought the excerpt from one of those books was a great way to pique your interest. 

“Rommel.” Hitler smiled a ghastly smile that was almost one of triumph.

“So, the Desert Fox wishes to play games.”

“I’m almost certain of it.”

“The people’s hero,” Hitler said. “We must handle him carefully, wouldn’t you say?”

“Or outfox him, my Fuhrer,” Himmler said softly.

“Outfox him. Outfox the Desert Fox.” Hitler smiled delightfully.“Yes, I like that, Reichsfuhrer. I like that very much indeed.”

♦ The dialogue above is extracted from “Night of the Fox”, a novel by Jack Higgins.


Almost everybody knows Harry Patterson, better known as Jack Higgins. He is an international bestselling suspense thriller author who is among the world’s most popular writers. He is remembered by many for his novel, “The Eagle Has Landed” (1975), but his book “Night of the Fox” (1986) is equally impressive. Though his books are works of fiction, the writer’s efforts to research the historical events on which the plots are based were painstakingly real. For example, part of his research involved actually meeting with and reviewing the diaries of a woman who was trapped in Jersey during World War II.

The book, “The Eagle Has Landed”, was adapted to film (1976), which also starred a few of my favorite actors: Michael Caine (1933 - ), Robert Duvall (1931-2026), and Donald Sutherland (1935 - 2024) disguised as Polish airmen. It was a plot to kidnap Sir Winston Churchill.  Intense!

“Night of the Fox”, was also made into a movie (1990), which starred two of my favorite actors, George Peppard (as American officer, Col. Harry Martineau) and Michael York (as high-ranking German officer, Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, the “Desert Fox”).

The book “The Eagle Has Flown” is a sequel to “The Eagle Has Landed”. Fans of novels by Higgins consider it worthy as a classic thriller; however, it was not adapted to film.

Nevertheless, if you are compiling a private library of WWII suspense thrillers, this 3-in-1 would be a great addition!

Jack Higgins: Three Complete Novels: The Eagle Has Landed (1975); The Eagle Has Flown (1991); Night of the Fox (1986)

• More books by Jack Higgins

Image credits: Photos found at Wikipedia. General Field Marshall Erwin Rommel in December 1943; and Bundesarchiv Bild 146-1977-119-08, Erwin Rommel with Adolf Hitler. Book cover at Amazon.

Disney Animated Classic: The Aristocats (1970)

Growing up during the 50s and the 60s was the best of times! We did not have cable TV or online streaming back then, but most of the local stations always showed cartoons on Saturday from early morning until around noon. My siblings and I would watch them together. My youngest daughter is an adult now, but when she was little, we often watched animated movies on Saturday mornings. It was “our time”. I would go to the local library and check out videos. They had a great collection of animated videos for kids.

One Saturday morning, I was really tired. I went into her bedroom, popped the tape into the VCR, lay down on her bed, and fell back to sleep! When I woke back up, my daughter was singing “Everybody … everybody … everybody wants to be a cat!” LOL. 😀That movie had her full attention. She did not even notice that I had fallen asleep. Later on, I watched the movie by myself. I was curious because my baby girl clearly enjoyed it. After I watched it, I knew why.

A one-word description for this Walt Disney film? Adorable!

Also, it's a great movie for jazz music lovers!

• "Scat Cat: Everybody wants to be a cat / Because a cat's the only cat who knows where it's at. 

Image credit:  * Happy 50th Anniversary, The Aristocats! by RichTheVoiceTrumpet: deviantart.com

The voice actors were well-known entertainers from my generation that I have always loved, such as Eva Gabor (“Duchess”), Scatman Crothers (“Scat Cat”), and especially Sterling Holloway (“Roquefort the Mouse”). I would recognize his voice anywhere! His voice was used in the “Wizard of Oz”, “Winnie the Pooh,” and so many other animated films I watched as a child. His voice is memorable!

PLOT: The butler did it! A wealthy retired opera singer leaves her money to her cats. But the woman's butler drugs the cats and abandons them in the countryside so that he can inherit the fortune himself. The pampered cats meet up with a street-smart, easygoing alley cat who decides, with the help of his other cat friends, to help them return to their rightful home in Paris.

If you want to watch a delightful animated film with your child or children, I highly recommend The Aristocats (1970).

* * *

Related Links:

The Aristocats (1970) - IMDb

'The Aristocats' Live-Action Remake in the Works at Disney

The Aristocats | Disney Wiki | Fandom

Everybody Wants To Be A Cat (from The Aristocats) – YouTube

Original source

Great family classic movies to watch on @disneyplus
The Aristocats (1970) ~ https://t.co/JemdKC7gqB #familyfun #animatedfilms #classic #entertainment #forkids and for #jazzlovers @goshoppingbees pic.twitter.com/Ktj4jn04V1

— Treathyl Fox (aka cmoneyspinner) ~ #Freelancer (@cmoneyspinner) January 22, 2022

Music: ♫ Amy Winehouse: Her Signature Song: “Back to Black”

I grew up during the 60s and the 70s. Amy Winehouse recreated that throwback vibe. It’s a pity she departed so soon.  Amy Winehouse passed away in July 2011. But her music endures.

• “Back to Black” is the signature song by Amy Winehouse that she left for us to remember her by. 

♫ ♫ ♫ ♫

“Back to Black”

**

Enter Amy Winehouse. 14 September 1983
  Exit Amy Winehouse. 23 July 2011 

♫ ♫ ♫ ♫

Music is my weakness. So many songs have left an imprint on my life, and as life passes, those songs still move me. No doubt, it’s that way with everyone. But in my generation, so many talented souls departed this life way too early than they should have — like Janis Joplin (1943–1970), Jim Morrison (James Douglas “Jim” Morrison, 1943–1971), etc.

I grew up during the 60s and the 70s, and I always tell my kids that the music of my generation was the best! That’s why the artists and musicians of their generation “sample” it. But every now and then, there are singers from my kids' generation that hearken back to that old-school sound I remember.

Amy Winehouse recreated that throwback vibe.

It’s a pity she departed so soon.

You would think the artists in later generations might learn from the tragic stories of others and not repeat history. But they don’t learn, and they do repeat the tragic history.

Yet when another bright one finally gets to shine their light, and no sooner than they are in the spotlight, their candle is blown out.

I was just starting to enjoy her raspy, soulful sounds when it was announced that she was gone.

Glad she did a duet with Tony Bennett to leave as part of her legacy.

Video link: Tony Bennett, Amy Winehouse — Body and Soul (from Duets II: The Great Performances)

♫ ♫ ♫ ♫

CAREER HIGHLIGHT:  Amy Winehouse had been singing for several years before she became a global sensation. She started performing as a teenager and was a featured vocalist with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra in 2000, when she was around 17. By 2002, she had signed with Simon Fuller's 19 Management and was recording songs. Her debut album, "Frank", was released in 2003 and received critical acclaim, but it was her second album, "Back to Black" (2006), that catapulted her to international fame. So, she had been actively singing and developing her career for about six years before she truly broke into the mainstream.

REFERENCE:  Wallenfeldt, J. (2009, September 11). Amy Winehouse. Encyclopedia Britannica.  

Old But Gold Movies: Review: “There Will Be Blood” (2007)

“There Will Be Blood” (2007) is a movie starring Daniel Day-Lewis.  He won an Oscar for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role. If you are a fan, then you will love the actor, but you will hate the character he played.  Oh my!  What a horrible, awful, awful man!!  You never want to meet someone like that in real life!  If you know someone like that, then surely you must go in the opposite direction every time it looks like you're going cross paths.  If I were keeping a list of movies I hate, this film would be at the top of the list.

I HATED THIS MOVIE!!!

If you are a loyal fan of Daniel Day-Lewis (Sir Daniel Michael Blake Day-Lewis) then you have probably seen this movie. It’s not a recent film. It was released 10+ years ago. The movie is “There Will Be Blood”.

I don’t care for all of the movies where Daniel Day-Lewis is the star, even if he is a “Sir”. But I do know that he always gives 200% whenever he gives a performance.

This film won 2 Oscars. One award was for Best Achievement in Cinematography: Robert Elswit. The other was given to Daniel Day-Lewis for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role.

He was good! He played his part well. He was so good that I HATED HIM!!

I HATED THIS MOVIE!!!

If I met any of those people in real life, I would run away from them!

I only liked 2 characters: the adopted son (of Daniel Day-Lewis) and the girl he fell in love with.

As for the character played by Daniel Day-Lewis and that preacher he was always butting heads with?

I HATED BOTH OF THEM! I HATED THEIR GUTS!!

So was there blood? If you have not seen the movie, I don’t want to spoil it for you, but … yeah! Blood was definitely shed.

Sean Fennessey, a writer for The Ringer, a publication that covers sports, pop culture, and tech, provided a succinct description of this film in his movie review:

Never crawl out? Never??

What a relief to know that it was just a movie and not a historical account of real events.

So relax. If you are pursuing the American dream … dream on!

♦  "There Will Be Blood" has some excellent behind-the-scenes trivia.

1. Paul Dano was originally cast only in a small part as Paul Sunday, but a few weeks into filming, he was asked by director Paul Thomas Anderson to also play Eli Sunday, effectively giving him two roles in the movie.

2. The film’s iconic metaphor, “I drink your milkshake,” was adapted from a real historical analogy used by U.S. Senator Albert Fall during testimony about oil drainage and the Teapot Dome scandal.

3. The celebrated score by Jonny Greenwood was ineligible for an Academy Award because it incorporated material from his existing compositions, yet it still won awards and became highly influential.

4. The opening of the film has very little spoken dialogue, emphasizing atmosphere and character through visuals and sound rather than words.

5. Daniel Day-Lewis appears in nearly every scene of the film, and his immersive take on the role has been noted as a key element in the movie’s haunting impact.

---

SOURCES:

Critic Film. “27 Amazing Facts About THERE WILL BE BLOOD! Behind the Scenes and Hidden Details!” Critic Film, 2 years ago, www.criticfilm.com/facts-about-there-will-be-blood/.

“There Will Be Blood.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 2026, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/There_Will_Be_Blood.

“There Will Be Blood.” Film Freedonia, 13 Apr. 2008, filmfreedonia.com/2008/04/13/there-will-be-blood-2007/. 

“There Will Be Blood Trivia Quiz.” FunTrivia, funtrivia.com/trivia-quiz/Movies/There-Will-Be-Blood-356500.html. 

“Jonny Greenwood.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 2026, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonny_Greenwood. 

A Few Interesting Bio and Career Facts About Daniel Day-Lewis

Books and Movies: The Beginnings of Science Fiction

Science fiction is a very popular book genre.

But sci-fi wasn’t always accepted as “real writing”.

Sharing an interesting fact about the beginning of science fiction, how it developed into a recognized and respected form of 20th-century literature. 

January 2 is National Science Fiction Day.

Though science fiction enjoys a wide audience of readers today, it’s not the type of story that suits my reading preferences. Would much rather watch a well-done film adaptation of a sci-fi novel. Why? Because a lot of the language in sci-fi books is too complicated for me. (Everybody’s brain works differently.) But to see an apocalyptic catastrophe on the big screen? I totally get it! Additionally, extreme relief washes over me to know that the event is just a product of a writer’s detailed research and his or her overactive imagination. Whew! So it’s great that science fiction book writers have a loyal fan base because, later on, their novels might be made into fantastic movies!

If you are a sci-fi book fan, this information likely comes as no revelation, but it was news to me! According to Kingsley Amis, there are three literary works thought of as precursors of OR that in some way created an opening for the Sci-Fi genre to find its way into the hearts of book lovers:

1. Voltaire’s Micromégas;
2. Shakespeare’sThe Tempest; and
3. Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels.

Jonathan Swift’s Lilliputians? OK. I think a land of little people sounds like science fiction. But François-Marie Arouet, aka Voltaire, and William Shakespeare? Writers of sci-fi? Not so sure that I agree. At any rate, Amis published his survey of science fiction in 1960.

♦

REF: Amis, Kingsley W. New Maps of Hell. New York: Ballantine, 1960.

♦

Other Links of Interest:

• Jonathan Swift (1667 – 1745)
• François-Marie Arouet aka Voltaire (1694 – 1778)
• William Shakespeare (1564 – 1616)
• Sir Kingsley William Amis, CBE (1922 – 1995)

* * *

Classic Books to Classic Films: 6 Shirley Temple Movies Based on Books

5 Facts About Shirley Temple: The Making of a Child Star

Shirley Temple is without a doubt one of America's most beloved child actresses. Here are five little-known bio facts about her life and career before her teen years.

1. She was professionally trained. She underwent formal dance training starting at age three at the Meglin Kiddies Dance School in Los Angeles. By age four, she could execute complex tap routines on cue.

2. Her breakout role came from a short-film series called Baby Burlesks (1932–1933).

3. Her famous curls were not natural. They were painstakingly engineered by her mother, Gertrude Temple, using rag curlers nightly. Studio contracts explicitly forbade cutting or brushing them out.

4. Between 1935 and 1938, she was Fox’s top box-office draw at age 6, making her the biggest child star in history at the time.

5. She worked under conditions no longer legal: 15-hour days, six days a week.

Several Shirley Temple films were adapted from books.

Here are six (6) Shirley Temple movies that are book adaptations, which are marvelous examples.

1. Heidi(1937)

Adapted from: Heidi (1881) by Johanna Spyri

Heidi tells the story of a young orphan girl sent to live with her reclusive grandfather in the Swiss Alps. Despite his gruff exterior, Heidi’s warmth and innocence slowly soften him. Living close to nature, she befriends Peter the goatherd and thrives in the mountain environment. Her happiness is interrupted when she is taken to Frankfurt to serve as a companion to Clara, a wealthy but disabled girl. In the city, Heidi becomes desperately homesick, her health and spirit declining. Eventually, she is allowed to return to the Alps, where her joy is restored. Clara later visits Heidi and, inspired by the mountain air and Heidi’s encouragement, learns to walk. The novel emphasizes the healing power of nature, kindness, and emotional resilience.

Movie vs. Book:

The film is very close to the novel’s themes, characters, and emotional arc. Changes are mostly simplifications.

• Movie Quote: “I don’t want a lot of things. I just want to be happy.”

• Book Quote: “Wherever there is sunshine, one can find happiness.”

2. Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm (1938)

Adapted from: Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm (1903) by Kate Douglas Wiggin

Rebecca Randall is a lively, imaginative orphan sent to live with her stern aunts in the village of Riverboro, Maine. Though her Aunt Miranda disapproves of Rebecca’s enthusiasm and creativity, Rebecca’s optimism gradually wins over the community. She excels in school, forms close friendships, and develops a love for poetry and performance. Rebecca’s kindness and perseverance help bridge the gap between tradition and individuality. Over time, even her strict aunt grows to admire her spirit. The novel is a coming-of-age story focused on self-expression, emotional intelligence, and the importance of nurturing young talent rather than suppressing it.

Movie vs. Book:

The core character remains intact, but the film adds romance, music, and a more sentimental ending.

• Movie Quote: “Things don’t happen the way you expect them to, but they happen the way they should.”

• Book Quote: “Children are different, you know. There’s no standard pattern.”

3. Captain January (1936)

Adapted from: Captain January (1890) by Laura E. Richards

Little Star is an orphan girl raised by Captain January, a retired sea captain who works as a lighthouse keeper. The two live happily by the sea until officials discover that Star has wealthy relatives searching for her. She is taken away to be raised in comfort, but without the love and freedom she once knew. Meanwhile, Captain January falls ill and loses his sight. Eventually, Star’s relatives recognize the depth of her bond with the captain and reunite them, ensuring his care and her happiness. The novel highlights emotional bonds over material wealth and explores themes of loyalty, love, and belonging.

Movie vs. Book:

The movie is largely faithful in story and tone, though softened and musicalized for Shirley Temple.

• Movie Quote: “I don’t care where I live, as long as I’m loved.”

• Book Quote: “She had been rich before, rich in love and sunshine.”

4. Curly Top (1935)

Adapted from: Daddy-Long-Legs (1912) by Jean Webster

The novel follows Jerusha Abbott, an orphan whose education is secretly funded by a mysterious benefactor she calls “Daddy-Long-Legs.” Through letters, Jerusha describes her growth, struggles, and dreams while attending college. Over time, she becomes more confident and self-aware, questioning her place in society and her relationship with her unseen patron. Eventually, she learns his identity and confronts her feelings of gratitude, independence, and love. The book is notable for its humor, social commentary, and focus on a young woman’s intellectual development.

Movie vs. Book:

Only loosely inspired by the novel; characters, age, and story structure are almost entirely changed.

• Movie Quote: “I don’t need money if I’ve got people who care.”

• Book Quote: “The only way to be happy is to make somebody else so.”

5. Wee Willie Winkie (1937)

Adapted from: Wee Willie Winkie (1888, short story/poem) by Rudyard Kipling

Kipling’s original work is a short poem and related stories set in British colonial India, focusing on duty, bravery, and imperial life. The “Wee Willie Winkie” poem describes a child enforcing bedtime rules in military barracks, symbolizing order and innocence. Kipling’s broader themes often explore courage, loyalty, and the complexities of empire, though the original material is brief and symbolic rather than narrative-driven.

Movie vs. Book:

The film expands a short poem into a full narrative—essentially an original story using only the title and theme.

• Movie Quote: “I’m not afraid. I just don’t like being brave alone.”

• Book Quote: “He went through the dark with a lantern and a song.”

6. The Little Princess (1939)

Adapted from: A Little Princess (1905) by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Sara Crewe is a bright, imaginative girl sent to Miss Minchin’s boarding school in London while her wealthy father serves in India. Treated as a model pupil, Sara lives comfortably until her father dies suddenly, leaving her penniless. Miss Minchin strips Sara of her privileges and forces her to work as a servant. Despite hunger and hardship, Sara clings to her belief that “princesses” behave with kindness and dignity no matter their circumstances. Her imagination helps her survive cruelty and loneliness. Eventually, it is discovered that Sara’s father left behind a fortune administered by a friend who has been searching for her. Sara is restored to her rightful place and rewards those who showed her compassion. The novel emphasizes resilience, inner nobility, and moral strength.

Movie vs. Book:

Keeps the emotional core but significantly alters major plot points for dramatic effect.

• Movie Quote: “Even if I’m dressed in rags, I’ll still be a princess.”

• Book Quote: “Whatever comes cannot alter one thing. If I am a princess in rags, I can be a princess inside.”

My personal favorites are “Heidi” and “The Little Princess. The Shirley Temple films and/or books would make delightful additions to anyone's personal library. Paperback books are inexpensive, but the stories are priceless. 

• Click here to discover some entertainment trivia about "Heidi".

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Children's Book Day is celebrated annually on April 2nd.