Wee Willie Winkie (1937)

Priscilla 'Winkie' Williams - Shirley Temple

Sgt. Donald MacDuff - Victor McLaglen

Col. Williams - C. Aubrey Smith

Joyce Williams - June Lang

Lt. 'Coppy' Brandes - Michael Whalen

Khoda Khan - Cesar Romero

The title character as written by Rudyard Kipling, "Wee Willie Winkie" (Percivel Williams), was a boy. However, the studio was looking for a vehicle for their 'money honey' Shirley Temple at that time. One that would draw more adults (read more money) into the theaters. Enter, Priscilla Williams. The story is further tweaked to accommodate a young girl; rather than a young boy who attempts swashbuckling, we have a sweet, innocent girl who manages to endear herself to the hardest of hearts.

The setting is 1890's India. Having left home in America, widow Joyce Williams (Lang) and her daughter Priscilla (Temple) are travelling to northeast India to live with her father-in-law (Smith) at the British outpost. This was a time when if not taken in by family, widows struggled desperately and the Williams' situation was no different. Joyce believed that it was an answer to prayer when the Colonel wrote inviting them to come live with him. Financially, difficulties in life were indeed alleviated. Priscilla: "Will we live right in Grandfather's house?" Mother: "Of course." Priscilla: "Then we won't have to worry about the butcher or the grocer man?" Mother: "No, darling." Priscilla: (deep sigh) "Too bad we didn't get acquainted with Grandfather sooner!"

It seems though, that they exchanged their financial struggles with the stark, impersonal life found in the military. The Colonel is a career officer which never has left much time for family causing estrangement from his. Career militarists as well as missionaries often left their families in England while serving God and country in lands far away, a concept difficult to fathom in our day of instant communication. Even without the immediacy of communication, the distance lead to very difficult relationships. However, the phrase "buck up" comes to mind when considering this choice of lifestyle. Some accepted the distance as naturally as we accept our nearness. As an example, during his decades of ministry in China, Africa and India, missionary C.T. Studd was supported by his wife at home. Not only did she raise their family on her own, she also promoted and raised funds for his ministry.

Priscilla and her mother arrived at the train station in the middle of another Afghan incident. Khoda Khan (Romero) and his men were attempting to smuggle rifles out of the village. The efficient alertness of the British meant that Khan, the leader is quickly arrested and escorted off to incarceration at the military fort. Excitement that draws young Priscilla into the action. Khan takes note of her kindness and is left in wonderment at the young girl.

The fort is filled mostly with focused military men leading to a life of loneliness for both Priscilla and her mother. However, in true Shirley style, she walks about the fort trying to make friends with everyone. From the beginning, her Grandfather doesn't really know what to do with her since she's not at all like the military men that he is accustomed to. Both he and his daughter-in-law have much to learn from each other. Obviously he could learn to balance career with family but she must learn the lesson of duty and responsibility beyond herself.

The enlisted men are endeared to her but who's heart does she melt? Sgt. MacDuff (McLaglen). Big, gruff, barrel-chested, pugilist, MacDuff. He renames her Wee Willie Winkie and enlists her as a soldier in the Queens military. Outfitted with her own uniform she joins the troops for daily drills, MacDuff-carved little wooden rifle and all. The interaction between her and Sgt. MacDuff is quite moving as their friendship grows each day. Also that same precociousness begins to chip away at the stoniness of her grandfather's façade. inevitably, everyone comes under her irresistible spell to be changed forever.

As usual, Shirley has a heart of gold. She sees the good in everyone and cannot imagine evil in anyone. Because of this, she goes to visit her 'friend' Khoda Khan while in jail. Unbeknownst to her, she is aiding and abetting his rebellion. The Kashmir Pass is still disputed land between Afghan and Pakistan, a story that we see/hear reported on even today. However, in true Hollywood form, the diplomacy of a young girl solves the problems of the ages. Not only between the sparring tribes but also between those same tribes and the British government that is located there to bring peace.

This movie has it all, war, romance, spies, intrigue, and cultural information; a film for all. Most were not aware of Afghanistan and the Kashmir Pass not to mention the warring of the ages. How romantic it all seemed in the land far away from the great depression. Shirley Temple's movies were made during a time that this country needed distractions. In the year 1937 came a second dip, the depression within the depression. Despair was rampant. So many felt they were coming to the end of it all. How much longer could they hang on? Each of her films provided the upbeat message, all works out in the end, that everyone longed for.

Remember that the song of the period was "Happy Days Are Here Again!" despite the fact that happy days were not here again. It wasn't until World War II (1941/42) that our country began to pull out of the depression. Shirley Temple's movies were usually the same formula. Young girl facing difficult circumstances in life overcoming them all. The message? Our country will overcome, which it did famously.