The directory «Plots»

«Wee Willie Winkie»

Wee Willie Winkie, a short story and also the title of a collection of short stories by Rudyard Kipling. Wee Willie Winkie is also a 1937 adventure film based on the Kipling story starring Shirley Temple, Victor McLaglen, C. Aubrey Smith and Cesar Romero. The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Art Direction by William S. Darling and David S. Hall.

During the British Raj, an impoverished widow, Joyce Williams (June Lang) and her young daughter Priscilla (Shirley Temple), are escorted by Sergeant Donald McDuff (Victor McLaglen) to a remote military outpost guarding the northern frontier of India, to live with her stern father-in-law, Colonel Williams (C. Aubrey Smith). On the way, they witness the capture of notorious rebel chief Khoda Khan (Cesar Romero).

Soon, Priscilla, nicknamed 'Wee Willie Winkie' by McDuff, wins the hearts of all the soldiers, especially her grandfather and McDuff; even Khoda Khan is touched by her visits to cheer him up in his captivity. Meanwhile, her mother is courted by Lieutenant Brandes (Michael Whalen).

Khoda Khan is rescued by his men in a daring night raid and hostilities begin. McDuff is fatally wounded while out on patrol. He passes away in the hospital, while Winkie sings "Auld Lang Syne" to him.

Winkie decides to persuade Khoda Khan to stop fighting; Mohammed-din (Willie Fung), a soldier who is actually Khan's spy, smuggles her out of the base and takes her to the rebel mountain fortress. Khoda Khan is greatly pleased, as he knows that the colonel will bring his entire regiment in a hopeless attempt to rescue her. However, Colonel Williams halts his force out of gunshot and walks alone to the entrance. When a couple of Khan's men start shooting at the British officer, Winkie rushes to her grandfather's side. Impressed by the colonel's courage and not wanting the little girl harmed, Khoda Khan orders his men to stop firing. He agrees to negotiate and the war ends.

Sao Tome e Principe, 1995, «Wee Willie Winkie»

Sierra Leone, 2002, Meeting Khoda-Khan

Sierra Leone, 2002, Priscilla looking in glass

Sierra Leone, 2002, Priscilla with drummer

Sierra Leone, 2002, Priscilla with Indian servant

Sierra Leone, 2002, Priscilla with grandfather

Sierra Leone, 2002, Priscilla exchanging letter in prison

Sierra Leone, 2002, Priscilla with mother

Sierra Leone, 2002, Priscilla with Khoda-Khan

Sierra Leone, 2002, Priscilla with mother and grandfather

Sierra Leone, 2002, Priscilla with sergeant

Sierra Leone, 2002, Priscilla on parade