Captain January (1936) is pure Shirley Temple sugar and salt spray

If you have a high tolerance for 1930s child stars being unbelievably cute, you should watch this. It’s perfect for a rainy Sunday afternoon when you don't want to think too hard.

If you hate tap dancing or movies where every problem is solved by a kid smiling, you will probably want to throw your remote at the TV. 📺

Shirley Temple plays Star, and she’s basically living every kid's dream. She lives in a giant lighthouse with Captain January, played by Guy Kibbee, who is just a big ball of fluff and kindness.

They spend their days singing and pretending the lighthouse is the best place on earth. Guy Kibbee has this great, round face that looks like it was made for black and white film.

The plot kicks in when this lady, Agatha Morgan, shows up. She’s the truant officer and she’s just... miserable.

She decides that Star needs to go to a real school and live in a real house. It’s that classic movie trope where the adult thinks they know best but they're actually just ruining everyone's life.

I noticed the lighthouse set looks a bit fake in the wide shots. You can tell they’re on a soundstage because the water doesn't quite move right, but it adds to the cozy feeling.

The best part of the whole movie is definitely the "At the Codfish Ball" number. 🐟

Buddy Ebsen is in this, and his legs are like noodles. He dances with Shirley and it’s honestly impressive how they stay in sync.

Buddy Ebsen has this weird, lanky energy that makes every scene he’s in a little bit better. He feels more real than some of the other actors who are acting very "1930s style."

There’s a scene where Shirley is crying because she might have to leave, and it’s actually kind of sad. She was a really good crier for a seven-year-old.

I did find myself wondering how they kept that lighthouse so clean. Everything looks polished, which seems unlikely given there's a kid and two old sailors living there.

Slim Summerville is also here as the other old sailor, Captain Nazro. He and Kibbee have this funny back-and-forth like an old married couple.

They’re constantly worried about Star, and it’s sweet, even if it gets a bit sappy at times.

The movie is way shorter than modern films, which I actually liked. It doesn't overstay its welcome or try to be an epic.

It reminds me a bit of the pacing in older stuff like The First Year, where things just sort of happen until they stop.

The ending is very convenient. Like, super convenient.

Rich relatives just happen to show up at the exact right moment to save the day. It’s a bit of a cop-out, but I guess people in 1936 needed happy endings more than we do now.

One weird thing—the truant officer is treated like a literal monster. She’s just doing her job, technically, but the movie makes her look like a villain from a fairy tale. 👹

I also noticed a few shots where the lighting changes mid-scene. It’s slightly distracting if you’re looking for it, but most people probably won't care.

Is it a masterpiece? No. But it’s got a lot of heart and the dancing is top-tier.

If you can get past the sugary stuff, it’s a fun little time capsule. Just don't expect any deep logic about how maritime law or child services actually works. ⚓

Random notes from my notepad:

• Shirley's hair is always perfect, even in a storm. How?
• The dog in this movie is a very good boy.
• I want to live in a lighthouse now, but with better WiFi.
• The transition shots of the waves are clearly stock footage.

Overall, it's a solid watch if you're in the mood for something innocent. It’s better than some of her other movies that feel a bit too forced.