America's 'Little Darling' Sweetheart

Since February is the month of love it is not unusual to have numerous mentions of the word sweetheart. February 9 spotlighted the Sweethearts of the 60s. There are songs about sweethearts going back to 1937, sweetheart poems since who knows when, sweetheart candy from 1847, even a sweetheart book as recent as this month, and believe it or not, a sweetheart of the Internet. 

American has claimed many sweethearts of the music and film industry, but who is America's first sweetheart, aka, America's Little Darling?

 

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

The indomitable 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 and to top it all had an impeccable quick wit! Growing up in the Golden Age of Hollywood left her with a sharp tongue and a sly sense of humor. 

Shirley Temple in Bright Eyes, 1934

Image Source: Miss Shirley Temple

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 1944

Image Source: wikipedia.org

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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