This adaptation of Johanna Spyri’s classic story is quite pleasant, especially considering Shirley Temple wasn’t yet ten years old when she took on the role. She plays the young girl who is sent to live with her reclusive grandfather (Jean Hersholt). Initially resistant to this new living situation, she eventually wins him over and he becomes completely devoted to her. Unexpectedly, she's then taken to the home of the wealthy Sesemann family to serve as a companion for the sickly Klara (Marcia Mae Jones). Despite the efforts of the strict governess Frauline Rottenmeier (Mary Nash), the girls form a connection, and things appear promising when the girl’s father unexpectedly returns. Then, on Christmas Eve, the person who originally placed her in this situation secretly takes her away to sell her to gypsies, but fortunately, her grandfather arrives searching for her... It's a heartwarming story that addresses themes of love, fondness, isolation, and loneliness, and the screenplay by Allan Dawn is reasonably well-done. I didn’t think Temple was ideally suited for the part, though; her performance felt somewhat forced. Maybe it’s because this film adheres more closely to a pre-existing narrative than many of her others—she simply has less room to improvise. Unlike Marcia Mae Jones, who seemed very genuine in her role, I thought Temple was overdoing things a little. It's still an enjoyable watch, with plenty of snow and the kind of perfectly happy ending you’d expect.

Source on TMDB