Dickens & Rumi
Cover of The Little Colonel

film

The Little Colonel

1935

After Southern belle Elizabeth Lloyd runs off to marry Yankee Jack Sherman, her father, a former Confederate colonel during the Civil War, vows to never speak to her again. Several years pass and Elizabeth returns to her home town with her husband and young daughter. The little girl charms her crusty grandfather and tries to patch things up between him and her mother.

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At a glance

Recommended ageNot listed

Strongest cautions

  • Romance2/5
  • Death of a character1/5
  • Frightening scenes1/5

Strongest positives

  • Kindness & empathy4/5
  • Good role models3/5
  • Positive messages3/5

What’s in it?

Products & advertising1/5
Why this rating?

No commercial product placement.

Death of a character1/5
Why this rating?

No deaths occur in the narrative.

Strong language1/5
Why this rating?

Some period-appropriate, mild language or stern phrasing by the grandfather character.

Romance2/5
Why this rating?

The marriage of the parents is the catalyst for the plot, but romance is not central.

Frightening scenes1/5
Why this rating?

There are no scary or frightening sequences.

Violence1/5
Why this rating?

There is no physical violence.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience2/5
Why this rating?

The child courageously approaches an intimidating grandfather and keeps trying to repair the family relationship.

Creativity & curiosity2/5
Why this rating?

Features iconic musical dance sequences including the stair tap dance.

Diverse representation1/5
Why this rating?

Features Hattie McDaniel in a role typical of the period's limitations regarding racial representation.

Educational value1/5
Why this rating?

Provides historical context of the post-Civil War era in the American South, though idealized.

Kindness & empathy4/5
Why this rating?

The central plot celebrates affection, patience, and efforts to reunite separated family members.

Positive messages3/5
Why this rating?

Strong themes favor forgiveness, family reconciliation, empathy, and a child's persistence in healing an old conflict.

Good role models3/5
Why this rating?

The child character displays persistence and kindness, though the grandfather's stubbornness is a negative example.

Family discussion

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Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

  1. Where did a character show kindness or empathy, and what changed because of it?
  2. How did relationships or romance affect the characters’ choices?
  3. Which choice in The Little Colonel would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in The Little Colonel, and what caused that change?
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