Chin-Ching gets lost in Shanghai and is befriended by American playboy Tommy Randall. She falls asleep in his car which winds up on a ship headed for America. Susan Parker, also on the ship, marries Randall to give Chin-Ching a family.
A young orphaned girl, 'Ching-Ching' Smith, stows away on a freighter bound for Shanghai, hoping to find her wealthy uncle. Along the way, she befriends the ship's captain and engineer, and brings charm and chaos to their lives. Upon arrival, she discovers her uncle is not the man she imagined, leading to further adventures and the discovery of a true home.
Stowaway was a commercial success, further solidifying Shirley Temple's status as Hollywood's biggest box office draw. Critics generally praised Temple's performance and the film's heartwarming, if formulaic, story, with some noting its appeal to family audiences.
Google audience: Audience reviews often highlight Shirley Temple's endearing performance and the film's overall pleasant and wholesome entertainment value, making it a favorite for families.
During the filming of Stowaway, Shirley Temple's signature curly hair was so famous that a judge once ruled that the studio owned the rights to her curls.
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