The Little Colonel

The Little Colonel is a 1935 American comedy drama film directed by David Butler. The screenplay by William M. Conselman was adapted from the children's novel of the same name by Annie Fellows Johnston, originally published in 1895. It focuses on the reconciliation of an estranged father and daughter in the years following the American Civil War. The film stars Shirley Temple, Lionel Barrymore, Evelyn Venable, John Lodge, Bill Robinson, and Hattie McDaniel. Cast Shirley Temple as Lloyd Sherman Lionel Barrymore as Colonel Lloyd Evelyn Venable as Elizabeth Lloyd Sherman John Lodge as Jack Sherman Sidney Blackmer as Swazey Stephen Chase as Hull William Burress as Dr. Scott Frank Darien as Nebler Bill Robinson as Walker Robert Warwick as Colonel Gray Hattie McDaniel as Becky 'Mom Beck' Porter Geneva Williams as Maria Avonnie Jackson as May Lily Nyanza Potts as Henry Clay Production The Little Colonel is best known for the famous staircase tap dance between Robinson and Temple. It was the first interracial dance pairing in Hollywood history and was so controversial that it was cut out in the Southern United States. The idea was actually first proposed by Fox head Winfield Sheehan after a discussion with D. W. Griffith. Sheehan set his sights on Robinson, but unsure of his ability as an actor, arranged for a contract that would be voided if Robinson failed the dramatic test. Robinson passed the test and was brought in to both star with Temple and to teach her tap dancing. They quickly hit it off, as Temple recounted years later: