Watch War Babies

War Babies is a musical comedy short film from 1932, directed by Charles Lamont and starring Shirley Temple, Georgie Billings, and Eugene Butler. The film takes place during World War I and centers around a group of orphans who put on a show to raise money for the war effort. The film begins with a shot of the orphans, who are all dressed up in various military uniforms, playing a game of war. Shirley Temple, who plays the lead role of Molly, is dressed in a sailor suit and sings the opening number, "Military Man".

After the game, the orphans gather together and discuss how they can help the war effort. They decide to put on a show, with Molly as the star, to raise money for their country. Molly is initially reluctant to participate, but ultimately agrees to help out.

The rest of the film follows the orphans as they rehearse for their show, which is filled with catchy musical numbers and comedic routines. Shirley Temple shines in her musical numbers, particularly in the song "Baby Take a Bow", which she performs with Billings.

Throughout the film, there are also several romantic subplots, including one involving Molly and a young soldier named Jack. The two have a charming, innocent romance, which is contrasted with the film's more comedic moments.

Despite its short runtime, War Babies manages to pack in a lot of entertainment value. The musical numbers are all catchy and well choreographed, and the comedy is light and enjoyable. Shirley Temple's star power is definitely on display here, and it's easy to see why she would go on to become such a beloved Hollywood icon.

One thing to note is that the film reflects the attitudes of its time, which may be jarring for some modern viewers. The orphans are often portrayed as mischievous and troublemaking, and there are several racist caricatures that are played for comedy. This is not unique to War Babies, but rather a reflection of the broader cultural attitudes of the time.

In conclusion, War Babies is an enjoyable musical comedy that showcases Shirley Temple's immense talent. While some of its themes may be dated, it still serves as a charming snapshot of early Hollywood entertainment.

War Babies is a 1932 comedy with a runtime of 9 hours. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.7.