Just Around the Corner (1938), 6

Shirley helps her idealistic architect father get his dream of a slum clearance project; The little miss dances with bill "Bojangles" robinson. Based on paul gerard smith's book, "Lucky penny".
(70 min) Released 1938-11-11
Director: Irving Cummings
Stars: Shirley Temple, Joan Davis, Charles Farrell, Bert Lahr, Bill Robinson

Genres: Comedy | Musical
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0030302/

Don't remember if they said why ST has no mother here. But her father is "not married". And fallen on hard times, due to lack of building projects for his type of architectural designs. So they've had to move from the Penthouse to the maintenance man's quarters, 'cuz that's daddy's new job. BR is the doorman there, Bert Lahr and Joan Davis were their servants, now hired by the new occupants of the Penthouse.

If you don't remember the building's playroom, the premise is very funny. As is the doggy day care, with the tiny white picket fence containing the big wolfhounds. ST's new crop of non-rich child friends are very low-rent; didn't catch where they live.

Of course the story includes a cranky old man whom ST charms. His name is Sam, and he's the Uncle in the Penthouse's new family, and he could have been the model for the ... Wants You recruiting posters. ST puts on a show, and all conflicts are resolved by the charmed mogul. This feels very Depression Era; apparently there was another recession in '37-8.

In the Tap! Appendix for Joan Davis, ST and BR. Where BR dances:

• Ch 4: This Is a Happy Little Ditty, Performed by Shirley Temple, Joan Davis, Bert Lahr, and Bill Robinson 
• Ch 18: Brass Buttons and Epaulettes (sic on dvd), Sung by Bill Robinson, danced by Bill Robinson and Doormen 
• Ch 19: I Love to Walk in the Rain, Performed by Shirley Temple, Bill Robinson and Chorus 

In that last dance, ST looks well-protected from the rain, but BR looks drenched. Why didn't he get raingear too?

BR makes only 4 more films: 2 this year, 1 in '42 and Stormy Weather ('43).

Fox, dir. Cummings; 6