Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that The Blue Bird is a departure from the typical adorable Shirley Temple movie, with a few scenes which may frighten younger or more sensitive kids: a suspenseful walk through a dark graveyard, and a raging storm with fire and lightning that threatens the heroes. One leading adult character (transformed from a cat) appears to be killed in the storm. The film, based on a play from 1910, includes some notions that may seem simplistic and old-fashioned by today's standards. One concept is that the dead (in this case two grandparents) depend upon the thoughts of their loved ones so that they can come to life for short periods. Another story component shows a community of children (all Caucasian) who live in the clouds as they wait to be born, sailing off to their expectant families in a magical sailboat.
Sexual
Content
Not applicable.
Violence
Two children walk through a spooky graveyard with eerie music and sounds of a raven and an owl; they're scared after a warning that the graves open and the dead arrive at midnight. A comedic chase sequence in a mansion shows people and objects falling. A massive storm with lightning and thunder results in a threatening fire from which the kids and their friends must escape. Trees fall; the fire comes very close; one woman appears to be trapped and killed in the fire.
Language
Not applicable
Social
Behavior
Being grateful, being satisfied, and finding happiness with your own family and friends are promoted heavily in this film. Stated messages include: "You can't be unhappy inside yourself and not make others unhappy, too"; "If you're thoughtless and thankless, you'll never be happy"; and "It's not wise to spend too much time in [The Land of] Luxury"; and "We're not poor, we just haven't any money -- there's a difference."
Consumerism
Not applicable
Drugs / Tobacco /
Alcohol
Mr. Luxury is shown with an adult beverage and a cigar as he reads.
