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5/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 5/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Managed Money remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Alright, so if you're looking for a big, sprawling epic, Managed Money is definitely not it. This 1934 short film is a quick, sweet little slice of early Hollywood, mostly for the curious or anyone who loves seeing Shirley Temple when she was really little. If you're not into old movies or simple, heartfelt stories, you might find it a bit slow. But for a quick dose of pure, unadulterated charm? Oh yeah, it’s worth a watch.
The whole thing is built around this super simple idea: Mary Lou, played by an absolutely adorable Shirley Temple, wants her brother Sonny to go to military academy. Problem is, they need money. Like, actual money. So, Mary Lou, with her signature dimples and can-do spirit, takes it upon herself to raise some funds. It’s a classic setup for a short feature from that era.
You just know from the start Shirley is going to be the highlight. And she is! Even then, the camera just loved her. Her little dance moves are already there, those bright eyes, the way she just commands the screen even when she’s just… being a kid.
There's a scene where she's trying to sell lemonade, and it’s just pure Gold. Her little sales pitch, the earnestness, it’s all so endearing. You can almost feel the people on set just melting around her.
Sonny, her brother, is played by Frank Coghlan Jr. He does a good job of being the slightly exasperated but loving older brother. You can tell he appreciates Mary Lou’s efforts, even if they sometimes get a bit chaotic. Their sibling dynamic feels pretty real, actually. Not too forced.
The movie doesn't really try to be anything it isn't. It's short, under twenty minutes, and it gets straight to the point. No big twists, no shocking revelations. Just a kid trying to help her brother.
It’s a very innocent, almost naive kind of storytelling, which honestly, is quite refreshing sometimes. The whole production has that sort of modest feel, you know? Like they made the most of what they had.
One little thing that stuck with me was the costumes. Mary Lou’s outfits are just perfectly period, those little dresses and bows. It’s a tiny detail, but it really grounds you in the 1930s. And the military academy uniform Sonny dreams of wearing? You can practically feel his excitement, even through the scratchy black-and-white film.
It’s not a film that’s gonna change your life or anything. It's more like a warm little hug. A little glimpse at a bygone era and a truly iconic child star finding her feet. You finish watching it and just feel a little… lighter. A nice, uncomplicated story for a quiet afternoon.
IMDb —
1930
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