The New York Times called the film "a pleasing enough little fiction, sure to delight every Temple addict and likely to win the grudging approval even of those who, like myself, are biding their time until she grows up, becomes gawky and is a has-been at 15." Variety praised the film's "realistic and elaborate backgrounds and tense reality", as well as "good comedy" between Temple and McLaglen, but suggested that the film was too long for Temple's younger fans to be able to sit through. Harrison's Reports wrote "Very good! Although Shirley, as usual, predominates, the producers have wisely surrounded her with capable players...The story has comedy, romance, and thrills, and holds one's attention throughout." John Mosher wrote that the film "isn't much as a Shirley Temple tryout...Miss Temple's talent is rather overexploited at times, and she seems just a bit too pert." Libel action against Graham Greene Writing for Night and Day in 1937, Graham Greene gave the film a mildly good review, complaining about the manufactured ingenue of the star's handlers, but otherwise observing that the Hollywood treatment is an improvement over the original Kipling version. The review employed a number of characterizations of the star that provoked Temple and the British and American branches of Twentieth-Century Fox to sue Greene, Night and Day, its publisher (Chatto and Windus), and its printers (Hazell, Watson and Viney) for libel. The case appeared before the King's Bench in 1938 and a settlement was announced the following day. Speaking on behalf of Greene, Night and Day, and the publisher, the counsel for the defense Valentine Holmes reframed the review "which, his clients instructed him, [as] one to see which anybody could take their children". The Lord Chief Justice who prevailed over the hearing declared the printed "libel ... simply a gross outrage" and fined the defendants £3500 (). Home media In 2009, the film was available on videocassette and DVD in both the original black-and-white and in computer-colorized versions. Some editions had theatrical trailers and special features. See also Shirley Temple filmography Notes References External links Wee Willie Winkie at the Iverson Movie Ranch Iverson Movie Ranch: History, vintage photos. 1937 films 20th Century Fox films American black-and-white films American children's films 1930s English-language films Films scored by Alfred Newman Films based on works by Rudyard Kipling Films directed by John Ford Films set in India Films set in the British