Who is Shirley Temple

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Ranked #894 in Movies & TV, #24,198 overall

Who Is Shirley Temple?

Curls.  Dimples.
Dancer.  Singer.  Movie star.
Mrs. Black.  Mother of three.  Gramma.
Breast cancer survivor. Diplomat.

Did we say dimples?



(Picture from the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum, Women of Our Time Portraits.
Photograph by Harry Warneke and Lee Elkins.)

Shirley Temple - Growing Up 

From little Shirley to Mrs. Shirley Temple Black

Shirley Temple - When I Grow Up

Here's one child actress who needs no introduction! A slideshow of the lovely Mrs. Shirley Jane Temple Black, with pictures from 1929 to 2006, set to her song "When I Grow Up." Look closely at 1:14, it's Shirley strolling across the MGM lot with Clark Gable, Mickey Rooney, and Judy Garland. And she's hugging Dakota Fanning at 1:12.

curated content from YouTube

Shirley Temple Facts at a Glance 

Did you know . . .

  • Shirley Jane Temple was born April 23, 1928. She'll turn 81 this year.

  • Shirley starred in over 40 films during the 1930s. Her career as a performer spanned from 1931 to 1961.

  • On set, Shirley's mom, Gertrude, took charge of her famous curls, ensuring that there were exactly 52 ringlets in her hair for each take.

  • Shirley's ability as a tap dancer was well known. Even in her earliest films she danced, and she was able to handle complex tap choreography by the age of five.

  • Shirley was often teamed with legendary dancer Bill 'Bojangles' Robinson. Because Robinson was African-American, his scenes holding hands with Temple were edited out in many cities in the South.

  • Shirley's first blockbuster movie was Bright Eyes, the film that saved 20th Century Fox from near bankruptcy in 1934 at the height of the Great Depression

  • In sixteen of the thirty films Shirley Temple made for Fox, she played characters with at least one dead parent. This was part of the formula for her films, which encouraged the adults in the audience to take on the role of her parent.

  • Shirley was considered for the role of Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, though that arrangement did not work out. However, Terry, who played Temple's beloved dog Rags in Bright Eyes, was cast in The Wizard of Oz as Toto.

  • As an adult, Shirley Temple Black was appointed a delegate to the United Nations by President Richard M. Nixon in 1969. She was appointed United States Ambassador to Ghana (1974-76). In 1976, she became the first female Chief of Protocol of the United States.

  • Shirley had three children and has one grandchild.
Read more.

Quick, what do you think of Shirley Temple? 

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Shirley Temple Songs 

MP3 downloads of all the popular Shirley Temple music that you remember from the movies.

How about Shirley Temple music to bring back memories? I chose some of my favorites for you here. Click to listen, then download the ones you like the best, instantly!

(If you have a problem with the widget or if you don't find what you were looking for, you can find all of your favorite Shirley Temple songs here.)

Shirley Temple's Biography from A&E  

A must-have DVD for any Shirley Temple fan!

Biography - Shirley Temple: The Biggest Little Star

Learn about Shirley's early life and her movie career during the depression as well as her career as a diplomat as an adult.

Includes interviews with people who knew and worked with Shirley Temple as a child and with Shirley Temple Black as an adult and explores her role in history.

Shirley Temple Movie Clips 

Shirley Temple dancing and singing into everyone's hearts.


Bill Bojangles Robinson and Shirley Temple

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The Movie that Made Shirley Temple a Star 

You'll laugh, cry, and sing along with Shirley!

Bright Eyes

Amazon Price: $13.49 (as of 12/19/2009)Buy Now

The first big film created especially for her, "Bright Eyes" helped make Shirley Temple a huge box-office star and features her most famous song: "On The Good Ship Lollipop".

Here's the plot: The little darling of a group of aviators, Shirley splits her time between her pilot godfather Loop (James Dunn) and her long-suffering mother (Lois Wilson), housemaid for a selfish, wealthy family. When a tragic accident suddenly leaves Shirley orphaned, Loop sets out to adopt Shirley - until he learns he's not the only one determined to keep the adorable youngster.

Shirley Temple Movies and Roles 

Shirley Temple's filmography. Here's the complete list.

What's to Do? (1932) (short subject)
Polly Tix in Washington (1932) (short subject)
Pie Covered Wagon (1932) (short subject)
Merrily Yours (1932) (short subject)
Kid's Last Stand (1932) (short subject)
The Kid's Last Fight (1932) (short subject)
Kid in Hollywood (1932) (short subject)
Kid 'in' Africa (1932) (short subject)
Glad Rags to Riches (1932) (short subject)
Runt Page (1932) (short subject)
War Babies (1932) (short subject)
The Red-Haired Alibi (1932)
New Deal Rhythm (1933) (short subject)
Out All Night (1933)
Dora's Dunking Doughnuts (1933) (short subject)
To the Last Man (1933)
Managed Money (1934) (short subject)
Pardon My Pups (1934) (short subject)
Carolina (1934)
Mandalay (1934) (scenes deleted)
As the Earth Turns (1934)
Stand Up and Cheer! (1934)
Change of Heart (1934)
Little Miss Marker (1934)
Now I'll Tell (1934)
Baby Take a Bow (1934)
Now and Forever (1934)
The Hollywood Gad-About (1934) (short subject)
Bright Eyes (1934)
The Little Colonel (1935)
Our Little Girl (1935)
Curly Top (1935)
The Littlest Rebel (1935)
Captain January (1936)
Poor Little Rich Girl (1936)
Dimples (1936)
Stowaway (1936)
Wee Willie Winkie (1937)
Heidi (1937)
Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm (1938)
Little Miss Broadway (1938)
Just Around the Corner (1938)
A Little Princess (1939)
Susannah of the Mounties (1939)
The Blue Bird (1940)
Young People (1940)
Kathleen (1941)
Our Girl Shirley (1942) (short subject)
Miss Annie Rooney (1942)
Since You Went Away (1944)
I'll Be Seeing You (1944)
Kiss and Tell (1945)
American Creed (1946) (short subject)
Honeymoon (1947)
The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer (1947)
That Hagen Girl (1947)
Fort Apache (1948)
Mr. Belvedere Goes to College (1949)
Adventure in Baltimore (1949)
The Story of Seabiscuit (1949)
A Kiss for Corliss (1949)
Complete List of Shirley Temple's Movies and Roles
Shirley started making movies in 1931 and starred in 14 short films, 43 feature films, and 25+ storybook movies. Click on the link to see the list of Shirley's movies, the title, the year, and the role she played.

Shirley Temple Movies on DVD 

This was supposed to be my "Top Ten" list, but I couldn't stop at just ten!
Which one is your favorite? (Vote it up.)
Don't see it? Add it!

Heidi

Heidi

1 point

Shirley Temple: Diplomat 

Ambassador and public servant Shirley Temple Black

Having served her country as a child actress during the Great Depression of the 1930s (even President Roosevelt talked about her "infectious optimism"), the adult Shirley Temple Black also has served her country as a goodwill ambassador, as well as an "official" ambassador.

She has served as delegate to the United Nations (1969), ambassador to Ghana (1974 to 1976), ambassador to Czechoslovakia (1989 to 1982), Chief of Protocol of the United States (appointed in 1976), and as a foreign affairs officer for the State Department during the Reagan administration, among other positions as delegate to many international conferences.

The picture above shows Shirley Temple Black with then-Secretary-General of the United Nations Kofi Annan in April 1998.

Shirley Temple Posters and Prints for Collectors 

Click on the picture to see how you can get the print, and to see more selections.

Shirley Temple Dolls 

Collectible Shirley Temple dolls, doll clothes, and doll parts and accessories.

Still have yours? If not, look here for one just like it. What a great gift a Shirley Temple doll would make for mom or grandma!

Click on an item for information with no obligation to bid.

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Patterns for Shirley Temple Doll Clothes 

Make authentic costumes just like the clothes Shirley wore in the movies!

Wow, what a great book!

Authentic Shirley Temple Patterns

Recreate your favorite 14" and 18" Shirley costumes will full size patterns & detailed instructions.

Patterns include: reprint of 1930s underthings, dress, coat and hat; famous dotted dress, Bluebird dress, and Heidi dress.

Also included are illustrations of original Shirley Temple dolls and clothes taken from old magazines - now you can make some of her more famous costumes for your dolls!

Looking for Costumes? 

We have some costumes and links below, but you might also want to check out this lens.

Shirley Temple Costumes for Little Girls 

Do you have a Shirley Temple look-a-like?

You don't have to wait for Halloween to dress her up. Pincurl her hair, add black patent leather Mary Janes - or a pair of tap shoes - some pretty, lacy socks and a dress like this one, and have your baby take a bow!

Shirley Temple Paper Dolls 

Great paper dolls for your little girl.

I remember playing with paper dolls when I was a little girl. Here are some great reproductions, perfect for the youngest, new Shirley Temple fans!

Authentic Shirley Temple Paper Dolls and Dresses

Amazon Price: $4.95 (as of 12/19/2009) Buy Now

Classic Shirley Temple Paper Dolls in Full Color (Classic Shirley Temple-Paperdolls)

Amazon Price: $6.95 (as of 12/19/2009) Buy Now

Original Shirley Temple Paper Dolls in Full Color

Amazon Price: $6.95 (as of 12/19/2009) Buy Now

Favorite Shirley Temple Paper Dolls

Amazon Price: (as of 12/19/2009) Buy Now

Shirley Temple Paper Doll Book

Amazon Price: (as of 12/19/2009) Buy Now

Shirley's Breast Cancer 

From People magazine, October 16, 1998

At first she did everything she could to deny it. When Shirley Temple Black, then 44 and special assistant to the chairman of the President's Council on Environmental Quality, found a lump at "12 o'clock on my left breast" in 1972, "I wasn't really worried," she says. "I don't know why." Postponing a biopsy, she headed off for six weeks of government talks in the Soviet Union, where, after experiencing a burning sensation in her breast, she thought for the first time, "I bet this isn't going to be so good."

Returning home to her family -- marine research entrepreneur Charles Black and their three children -- in Woodside, Calif., the ex-actress left breast-cancer articles around the house because "I couldn't bring myself to talk about it to my husband." Her biopsy showed a malignancy, and she underwent a simple mastectomy. Afterward she reached up "to feel the void. It was an amputation, and I faced it."

She did that in part by going public with her illness, a move that brought 50,000 letters of support. Now 70, Black -- who later served as ambassador to Ghana and the former Czechoslovakia -- recalls that as a young adult star she was "one of the fortunate actresses in Hollywood who didn't wear falsies because I didn't need them." But she doesn't regret the surgery that likely saved her life. "I felt pretty good before the operation, and I felt good afterward," she says. "I just lost a good friend in between."

(Photo from www.ShirleyTempleFans.com)

Shirley Temple Memorabilia and Collectibles 

Movie and tv memorabilia, photos, autographs, even movie props for the serious Shirley Temple collector.

Click on an item to see more information, with no obligation to bid.

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Shirley Temple Collectible Postcards 

Postcards are great for collecting. These vintage postcards from eBay are perfect for adding to your Shirley Temple fan collection.

Click on an item for more information with no obligation to bid.

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Shirley Temple in Vintage Magazines 

Be on the lookout for a great deal!

Click on an item for more information with no obligation to bid.

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My favorite Shirley Temple Quote


"I stopped believing in Santa Claus when my mother took me to see him in a department store, and he asked for my autograph."

Are You a Shirley Temple Fan? We'd love to have your autograph! 

Please sign our guestbook.

What's your favorite Shirley Temple movie or memory? Did you have a Shirley Temple doll? Leave us a comment!

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  • Reply
    Millertime Millertime Dec 7, 2009 @ 9:16 pm
    I remember seeing her movies as a kid. Seeing her here sure brings back memories. Very nice and comprehensive lens.
  • Reply
    Joan Terry Allen Joan Terry Allen Oct 30, 2009 @ 8:31 pm
    I am only two years older than Shirley and as a child, I saw all of her movies. I also was a
    little tap dancer and I loved seeing her dance in her movies. I have had a Shirley Temple doll for many many years and at the age of 83, I now have given it to my daughter, Tammy.
    I would love to see a photo of Shirley as she is today. I know she must be a beautiful lady.
  • Reply
    Birdine Wildenauer - Bakersfield CA Birdine Wildenauer - Bakersfield CA Aug 23, 2009 @ 12:42 pm
    I have been a Shirley Temple fan for 30 yrs, I have all her colllerctible movies plates and her movies, I also have paper dolls, and 2 8x10 portrates of her on my walls.
  • Reply
    EverythingMouse EverythingMouse Apr 18, 2009 @ 12:27 pm
    I love the quote about Santa Claus! She was in so many films - one of my friends mother's used to be a screen writer for her.
  • Reply
    debnet debnet Apr 7, 2009 @ 2:30 pm
    I had no idea she'd been in so many films! I wish I had a pound for everytime I was told I was 'just like Shirley Temple' when I was a child :)
  • Reply
    ElizabethJeanAllen ElizabethJeanAllen Dec 11, 2008 @ 5:48 am
    Thanks for the blessing on my Attracting Birds to Your Yard
    Lizzy
  • Reply
    nwieaqgo nwieaqgo Oct 31, 2008 @ 12:09 am
    I like this lens. It is very informative. 5 stars to you.

    Woman`s Fashion
  • Reply
    poddys poddys Oct 26, 2008 @ 9:02 pm
    Great tribute lens to a great little actress. 5***** well deserved. Like most boys I couldn't stand Shirley Temple movies or anything like them, however watching my girls grow up and enjoy them I learned to as well. My favorites would have to be Captain January (with of course the late Buddy Ebsen) and The Little Princess (with Richard Green). Not forgetting of course the scenes with Mr Bo Jangles...
  • Reply
    BeautySecrets BeautySecrets Sep 20, 2008 @ 9:37 am
    Thanks Susan for all your hard work to make this lens. I especially enjoyed the videos and your large selection of links. Great Job Susan.
  • Reply
    Pamela2Heaven Pamela2Heaven Aug 20, 2008 @ 9:10 pm
    I think she is one of the cutest little girls that ever lived...and still pretty at 80.
    nice lens
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Susan52 enjoys writing, blogging, and making lenses on Squidoo and is proud to be a member of the Giant Squid 100 Club! The true loves of her life are... (more)

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