Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm

Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm

Year: 1938

Runtime: 80 mins

Language: English

Director: Allan Dwan

DramaMusicFamily

After Uncle Harry places Rebecca in the care of her strict Aunt Miranda—who bans any contact with show business—she finds an unlikely ally in neighbor Anthony Kent. Kent, a talent scout, covertly arranges a broadcast opportunity for her, giving Rebecca a chance to pursue her dreams despite her aunt’s objections.

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Timeline & Setting – Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm (1938)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm (1938). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1930s

The story unfolds in an era when radio was the dominant mass medium and national sponsor-backed talent contests were common. Advertising-driven campaigns tie celebrity to consumer brands, reflecting the era's culture of promotion and spectacle. The setting evokes a pre-television, Great Depression-era mood in technology and storytelling.

Location

Sunnybrook Farm, Local Broadcast Station

Sunnybrook Farm serves as the warm, rural home Rebecca loves, a place of family and belonging. The local broadcast station represents the bridge to national fame and the commercial world she must navigate. The film contrasts the tranquility of farm life with the bustle of radio promotion, showing how geography shapes opportunity.

🏡 Rural 🎵 Media presence 🗺️ Film setting

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:27

Main Characters – Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm (1938)

Meet the key characters of Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm (1938), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Rebecca Winstead (Shirley Temple)

A bright, hopeful girl whose singing talent fuels the plot. She negotiates family upheaval and guardianship with resilience, using her voice to seek independence. Her warmth and determination help bridge the gap between rural life and the big city spotlight.

🎭 Talent 👧 Protagonist 💪 Determination 🎵 Voice

Tony Kent (Randolph Scott)

A sharp, ambitious ad executive who falls for Rebecca after hearing her on the radio. He recognizes her talent and tries to secure her for the cereal campaign, balancing business with a growing personal affection. His conflict between professional ambitions and genuine feeling drives much of the plot.

💼 Business 💘 Romance 🎯 Ambition

Aunt Miranda Wilkins (Helen Westley)

A protective, practical matriarch who takes Rebecca in and resists the temptations of fame for her niece. She has a wary history with the entertainment world and Homer, adding emotional depth to the guardianship conflict. Her decision ultimately centers on Rebecca's welfare.

🏡 Matriarch 🛡️ Protective 👵 Wisdom

Henry Kipper (William Demarest)

Rebecca's scheming guardian who cares more about profit than her well-being. He tries to seize control of Rebecca's singing future and exploit it for financial gain. His actions create the central conflict that Rebecca must overcome.

💰 Greed 🧭 Antagonist 🤝 Manipulation

Gwen Warren (Gloria Stuart)

A neighbor and cousin figure who brings warmth and love into the story, often with Gwen and Tony's chemistry. She offers friendship and support to Rebecca while navigating her own feelings for Tony. Her presence broadens the social circle around Rebecca.

🎶 Music ❤️ Love Interest 🤝 Friend

Lola Lee (Phyllis Brooks)

A rival singer whose presence heightens the competitive atmosphere of the contest and the love triangle. She embodies fame's temptations and adds tension to Tony's relationship with Rebecca. Her role amplifies the drama surrounding performance and romance.

🎤 Rival 💃 Entertainer 💘 Love Interest

Orville Smithers (Jack Haley)

Tony's assistant who triggers major misunderstandings with his misread of Rebecca's identity. His comical mistakes push Rebecca toward discovery and vindication. He adds lightness to the plot while highlighting the chaos of live radio.

🤝 Assistant 🕵️ Miscommunication 😂 Comedy

Homer Busby (Slim Summerville)

Miranda's former fiancé who temporarily aids Rebecca and helps the plan unfold. His past with Miranda adds warmth and reconciliation to the story. He ultimately seeks forgiveness for past hurts.

💞 Supporting 🧭 Connector 🕊️ Reconciliation

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:27

Major Themes – Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm (1938)

Explore the central themes of Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm (1938), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🎤 Voice and Talent

Rebecca's singing voice is the engine of the plot, turning a rural girl into a national contender. The radio contest and cereal promotion monetize her gift, testing whether artistry can survive as commerce. The story probes the ethics of turning a child's talent into public spectacle. Rebecca's voice becomes a personal and social instrument of empowerment.

👪 Family and Guardianship

Rebecca's guardianship swings between loving Aunt Miranda and calculating Henry Kipper, highlighting the tension between nurture and profit. Miranda's protective stance clashes with the lure of fame, forcing Rebecca to navigate loyalty and independence. The resolution centers on Rebecca's welfare over financial gain, emphasizing familial bonds.

💘 Romance and Fame

A romance develops between Rebecca and Tony Kent, an ad executive whose professional world collides with personal affection. Misunderstandings and rivalries test their trust, while the broadcast moments heighten the emotional stakes. The story blends love with commercial ambition, suggesting that talent can fuel both relationship and opportunity.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:27

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Unlock the Full Story of Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm

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Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm Summary

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Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm Summary

Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm Timeline

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Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm Timeline

More About Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm

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