I liked it a lot ... because I remember well how much I wanted a dog as a kid and the canary I got instead - I wanted to throw that cage across the room (sorry Tweety-Pie!)
Yes there are unacceptable stereotypes, but that was the time ... how many old movies could stand up to scrutiny today?! At least the black maid was assertive and spoke her mind in a big way, no milk toast Brady-Bunch Alice here lol! She's hilarious!
For what it's meant to be, I think it's a good little movie; one that you could watch with your kids and explain this different time in America's history.
I thought the actors did a fine job, and Johnny Sheffield showed the natural style of acting uncommon amongst child actors of that time. I thoroughly enjoyed him and think he was one of the best child actors who didn't ham it up.