Heidi

The family classic Heidi (1937) is available to watch online on iFILM. Allan Dwan directed this black-and-white feature from Johanna Spyri's beloved Swiss novel, with Shirley Temple — the era's biggest child star — in the title role.

Orphaned at eight, Heidi is sent to live with her grandfather high in the Alps. Adolph Kramer has shut himself off from the world and greets the girl with nothing but gloom. Her warmth wears him down, though, and soon the two are inseparable. Then her domineering Aunt Dete spirits Heidi away to the city to serve as companion to a wealthy man's wheelchair-bound daughter. Heartbroken, the old man sets out to find her, and the film becomes a long journey back home to the mountains.

This Fox production rests on Temple's charm and a simple, sincere story about affection and belonging, with Jean Hersholt playing the grandfather beside her. It's a fine pick for watching with children or for anyone fond of old Golden Age Hollywood. Stream Heidi (1937) online on iFILM.