Copyright 31 May 1934 by Paramount Productions, Inc. New York opening at the Paramount, 18 May 1934. Sydney opening at the Prince Edward (on a double bill with the W. C. Fields comedy The Old- Fashioned Way), 13 October 1934 (ran 3 weeks). 9 reels. 80 minutes. U.K. release title: GIRL IN PAWN.SYNOPSIS: Man leaves his daughter as a deposit with a bookmaker. NOTES: Academy Award to Shirley Temple, best juvenile performer of 1934. Re-made as Sorrowful Jones (1949): 40 Pounds of trouble (1963); and again as Little Miss Marker (1980).COMMENT: Despite the fact that the title role is enacted by the one and only Shirley Temple, "Little Miss Marker" is actually a Dorothy Dell vehicle. Shirley gets to sing only one song ("Laugh, You Son- of-a-Gun") — and that in tandem with Miss Dell who also has two solos ("Black Sheep Blues" and "Low-Down Lullaby"). The musical program is rounded out by Lynne Overman and chorus rendering "East Side, West Side, Sidewalks of New York" and "The Bowery". Miss Dell is a very able actress — and a most accomplished singer — but you are excused if you don't recognize her. She had previously starred in "Wharf Angel" and after this film made "Shoot the Works". Before the latter film was released, she was killed in a car accident.Unfortunately, despite the skill of Miss Dell and the obvious charm of Miss Temple, this first version of "Little Miss Marker" doesn't really stand up to any of its re-makes. The fault can be proportioned equally among the scriptwriters, the director, and the rest of the players. Too much dialogue, too slow a pace, too little dramatic tension (despite a few promises and hints now and then).As a result, the film lacks punch, sharpness, contrast. The characters are all too wishy-washy. We are never led to believe for one moment that Menjou is as mean as he says he is, or that Bickford (for all his customary blustering) as tough. In fact, most of the players seem miscast as Runyonesque types. Warren Hymer and John Kelly overact atrociously. However, the movie is reasonably attractive to look at, even if its lighting, costuming and staging are somewhat bland.

LITTLE MISS MARKER (1934) is one of the absolute dearest movies I've ever seen. I watched it last month on TCM. When it replayed tonight, I was back again. It is a Damon Runyon tale. His stories include men on the wrong side of the law. In this case they are gamblers, bookies, horse race fixers, and the like. The men use some saucy language created by Runyon that is definitely a sign of the 1930's, but some of the words are still around today, so it's an interesting insight into American slang.Shirley Temple really shines in her breakout role. From her first line she hooks us with her entire adorable little self. She charms the grouchy Apolphe Menjou and pals. Due to a series of events, Shirley ends up in Menjou's care. Hilarity ensues and his grinch-like heart becomes the perfect size for the happy ending. Most of the supporting cast are players I'm not familiar with as this movie is a bit older than those I usually watch, but these kooky men with soft hearts and pride fall for Markie and their lives are forever changed. A beautiful story that even shows Menjou praying which humanizes him and makes him even more heroic.This film is old, less then 90 minutes, plays a little bit like a stage production sometimes, has few big name stars, isn't Oscar worthy in the acting category, but it has heart. A big heart! It's pure entertainment like I'm sure depression era patrons needed for a dime or less. The production quality is still good. It's a feel-good comedy drama that is just the perfect film for someone wanting pure entertainment from its humble beginnings. I highly recommend this film:)

Shirley's dad doesn't have the money to bet on a horse race so he puts up his daughter as collateral! Furthermore, nobody finds this particularly alarming. Shirley takes being abandoned by her father and living with seedy strangers pretty casually. It's supposed to be a charming comedy based on a Damon Runyan story, but the plot is not only boring but rather disturbing, and it's hardly worth a chuckle. Fortunately for both Menjou and Bickford, they would survive this and go on to make some fine films. Sadly, Dell, who plays the love interest of both Menjou and Bickford, died in an auto accident only a week after the film was released at age 19.

Both win. Of course, having Adolph Menjou on hand doesn't hurt. Temple is ideally cast as waif left as market for gambling debt. Menjou is classic as bookie who doesn't know what to do with his collateral. It is a fast moving romp, with a great and unforgettable supporting cast.