You’ve probably heard the name Shirley Temple, but do you know the real story behind this iconic child star? Buddy Ebsen, her co-star in the 1936 film Captain January, loved to share a tale about their dance rehearsals. Buddy’s daughter, Kiki Ebsen, recounted to Closer that Shirley, then just 8 years old, arrived on set and immediately asked Buddy, ‘Is the dance set?’ Her dad replied, ‘No, I’m going to make a couple of changes.’ To which Shirley coolly responded, ‘Call me when it’s set, and I’ll learn it.’ The message was clear: Shirley didn’t waste time on anything not finalized.
And when Shirley returned, she proved her remarkable talent by learning the routine in just an hour. “He was very impressed with her talent,” Kiki added. Shirley wasn’t just a cute little girl; she was a professional who knew how to work efficiently and deliver results.
A Star Is Born
Shirley Temple wasn’t just any child star; she was a phenomenon who captivated the hearts of millions during the Great Depression. By the age of 10, she had already starred in 29 films, but behind the bright lights and cheerful songs was a young girl dealing with the harsh realities of fame. Working long hours, facing death threats, and encountering inappropriate advances were just part of her daily life. And when she retired at 22, she had only $40,000 left from her earnings. As she once joked, “I stopped believing in Santa Claus at the age of 6 when my mother took me to see him in a store and he asked for my autograph.”
Read also:Swat Series Finale Hondo Faces His Past And A Big Bang Exit
Growing Up in Hollywood
Shirley’s journey began at the tender age of 3 when she started taking dance lessons. Soon, she was starring in Baby Burlesks, short parody films that she later described as “a cynical exploitation of our childish innocence that occasionally were racist or sexist.” But it wasn’t all negative. These early experiences taught Shirley a valuable lesson: time is money. When she or her young co-stars misbehaved on set, they were punished by sitting on a block of ice in a locked, windowless sound booth. Shirley wrote in her memoir, Child Star, that while the punishment didn’t leave lasting damage, it instilled in her a profound understanding of the importance of efficiency and professionalism.
A Sensation at Six
At the age of 6, Shirley became a sensation with her performance of “On the Good Ship Lollipop” in the film Bright Eyes. Her son, Charles Black Jr., told Closer that Shirley’s films were popular because of their charm and family-friendly values. “She inhabited a very unique moment in the film industry,” Charles said. Shirley wasn’t just a performer; she was a symbol of hope during tough times.
Life on the Set
Shirley’s mother, Gertrude, was her constant companion on set, fiercely protective of her daughter. According to Marilyn Granas, Shirley’s stand-in, Gertrude didn’t allow Shirley to play with other children on set, fearing she might catch a cold or associate with kids who weren’t “socially acceptable.” Even Shirley’s birthday parties, held annually by the studio, were more about publicity than celebration. Guests brought gifts, but Shirley never opened them. Instead, they were donated to charity.
Facing Danger and Exploitation
The kidnapping of aviator Charles Lindbergh’s infant son in 1932 sparked fear for Shirley’s safety, leading her parents to set up an elaborate security system with guards patrolling their gated home. Her father even started carrying a gun. The scariest incident occurred in 1939 when a deranged woman aimed a handgun at Shirley during a promotional event for The Blue Bird. Luckily, the woman was subdued before anything tragic happened, but it was a terrifying moment for the young star.
Despite her immense success, Shirley wasn’t immune to exploitation. In 1941, after Fox Studios dropped her due to slumping ticket sales, MGM picked up her contract. Producer Arthur Freed told her they needed to get rid of her “baby fat” and change her hairstyle. In a shocking encounter, Freed exposed himself to Shirley in his office. Though shaken, she managed to laugh nervously, prompting Freed to throw her out of his office.
Financial Struggles and Resilience
At her career’s peak, Shirley earned $10,000 a week, amassing a fortune of $3.2 million. She also made money from merchandise bearing her likeness, including dolls and clothing. But when she retired at 22, she discovered her bank account contained only $40,000. As author John Kasson explained, “Ninety-seven cents of every dollar she made was gone.” Shirley’s father had squandered her money on bad investments and family expenses. Despite this, Shirley didn’t blame him, believing he had been poorly advised.
Read also:Al Roker Cant Handle Jenna Bush Hager And Savannah Guthries Surprise Singalong
A New Chapter
Shirley didn’t let setbacks define her. She found happiness in her second marriage to Charles Black, a man who claimed he’d never seen one of her movies. Together, they
