The Blue Bird

Parents need to know that The Blue Bird is a departure from the typical adorable Shirley Temple movie, with a few scenes which may frighten younger or more sensitive kids: a suspenseful walk through a dark graveyard, and a raging storm with fire and lightning that threatens the heroes. One leading adult character (transformed from a cat) appears to be killed in the storm. The film, based on a play from 1910, includes some notions that may seem simplistic and old-fashioned by today's standards. One concept is that the dead (in this case two grandparents) depend upon the thoughts of their loved ones so that they can come to life for short periods. Another story component shows a community of children (all Caucasian) who live in the clouds as they wait to be born, sailing off to their expectant families in a magical sailboat.