Watch Captain January

Captain January is a delightful musical film that tells the story of a little orphan girl, Star (Shirley Temple), who lives with her grandfather, Captain January (Guy Kibbee), in a lighthouse on the coast of Maine. Star and her grandfather have a close bond and she is content with her simple life, spending her days fishing, playing music, and listening to stories of her grandfather's adventures at sea.

However, their peaceful existence is disrupted when a truant officer, Agatha Morgan (Sara Haden), comes to the lighthouse to take Star away to an orphanage. Despite Captain January's protests, Morgan insists that Star needs a proper education and a stable home. Star is heartbroken at the thought of leaving her beloved grandfather and home, but ultimately agrees to go to the orphanage, promising to return to him as soon as she can.

At the orphanage, Star struggles to adjust to her new life and misses her grandfather terribly. She finds solace in her music and singing, and her beautiful voice catches the attention of a wealthy yacht owner, Edward Morgan (Sidney Blackmer), who is impressed by her talent and spirit. Morgan takes Star under his wing, encouraging her to pursue her dreams of becoming a singer and dancer.

As Star's fame grows, she becomes torn between her new glamorous life and her loyalty to her grandfather and humble beginnings. When Morgan proposes to adopt her and take her away from the lighthouse forever, Star must make a difficult decision about what truly matters most to her.

Captain January is a charming and heartwarming film that showcases Shirley Temple's undeniable talent and charisma. Her performance as Star is both innocent and wise beyond her years, and she brings a genuine emotion to the role that makes you feel deeply for her struggles and triumphs.

Guy Kibbee is also a standout as Captain January, providing a steady and loving presence for Star throughout the film. His chemistry with Temple is lovely to watch, and their scenes together are some of the most touching in the movie.

The supporting cast, including Slim Summerville as the lighthouse keeper, provide humor and warmth to the film, and the musical numbers are both fun and catchy. The song "At the Codfish Ball" is a particular standout, with Temple's infectious energy and enthusiasm making it an instant classic.

Overall, Captain January is a classic Shirley Temple film that will make you laugh, cry, and sing along. Its themes of family, loyalty, and following your dreams are timeless, and it remains a beloved favorite among audiences of all ages.

Captain January is a 1936 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 15 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9.