America's First Sweetheart

Shirley Temple Black (April 23, 1928 - February 10, 2014)

 When I was 14, I was the oldest I ever was. I've been getting younger ever since.
~ Shirley Temple

Shirley Temple was a box-office champion for the consecutive years 1935-36-37-38, beating out such great adult stars as Clark Gable, Bing Crosby, Robert Taylor, Gary Cooper and Joan Crawford. She could do it all: act, sing, dance! Having gotten her start at the age of three, Shirley Temple soared into stardom which carried her to super heights where she will be remembered as the most popular and famous child star of all time. One must keep in mind this was during the time of the Great Depression. Her super smile, bubbly personality, bouncing curls and ability to capture the hearts of her viewers are irreplaceable, all of which are preserved on film to always be cherished.

Shirley Temple in Bright Eyes, 1934
Image Source: Miss Shirley Temple

Years passed, Shirley Temple outgrew her childlike personality. Times change, fads come and go, music engages diverse audiences. She starred in some wonderful movies like Since You Went Away (1944) and the The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer (1947), but her career as a child entertainer was nearing its end. As with all her undertakings, Shirley Temple led a very committed life. In later years, she served as an ambassador to Ghana and Czechoslovakia and as Chief of Protocol of the United States, 1976–1977.

Shirley Temple Through the Years

Images Source: HubPages: Shirley Temple

Shirley's image had depended so much on her juvenile charm it was hard for film audiences to accept her as an adolescent and young woman. At ten, she had been tipped to play Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz but Fox refused to lend her out to MGM. Most of her later films bombed, however she did appear in two wartime hits -Since You Went Away and I'll be Seeing You. Temple officially retired from films in 1950.

 

Shirley Temple's Footprints and Handprints
Immortalized at Grauman's Chinese Theatre

On February 8, 1960, Shirley Temple received a star
on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for her work in films.

Shirley Temple's impact on America is truly iconic. She will remain in the hearts, minds and souls of all who grew up with her. We should all share our memories with our children so they can share with their children who will...the rest to go on indefinitely. The joy Shirley Temple brought to America in a time of depression will go unsurpassed.

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