There are few stars today who's light shines as bright as that of the most famous child star of all time, the iconic Shirley Temple Black. At three years young, this little toddler tap danced into the hearts of every American and put smiles on the faces of a depressed nation with her curly hair, dimpled cheeks, and spunky personality. She literally made everyone young and old believe they could sail away from all their problems on "The Good Ship Lollipop"! She was more than a child star, representing innocence, laughter, purity, and most of all, hope for a better tomorrow! In 1934, Theodore Roosevelt was president, the New Deal came into law, bringing Relief, Recovery, and Reform, to help alleviate our country's suffering during the Great Depression, the U.S. occupied Haiti, John Dillinger escaped from prison, and the Teamster's violently rioted in Minneapolis. Shirley Temple was also given a special award created just for her that same year...the "Miniature Oscar" for her stage stealing performance in the movie "Bright Eyes" and that was that. Suddenly, the world became a mystical candy shop!
Born during one of the darkest ages in our nation's history, her performances brought happiness at a time when men stood in line for hours upon hours trying to get some work that day, and often, went home with their heads down low...not able to face their hungry wives and children. She arrived on screen and suddenly, things weren't as bad as they seemed! She became the most famous little girl in the world, rivaling such actresses as Joan Crawford and Katherine Hepburn being referred to as a "bigger box office draw!" even topping the likes of the man himself, Clark Gable!!! As a teenager, she was even offered a substantial amount of money for the role of Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz which, for reasons beyond comprehension, was turned down as her manager felt she was a better fit for a different script being filmed at the time. This ultimately hindered the actress's transition from child actress to teen star as Judy Garland rose to stardom and "Little Miss Fix It" seemed to become frozen in time. Don't get me wrong, she had many roles as the years went on...re-emerging in the 40's with acclaim, however, it was as if no one wanted her to grow up and in 1950, Shirley Temple officially announced her retirement from the big screen. Here and there in the late 50's and beyond she graced Americans with her lively personality again, this time in their own homes thanks to television , even appearing on an ABC special about her life. A star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, an Oscar, and a drink named for her, she remains a Little Princess to this day with rosey cheeks and a cherry on top!
There have been many child stars since "Baby Takes A Bow" made Shirley a house-hold name (And I'm not mentioning any of them at the moment). Coming into her own, Shirley Temple Black became a leader, performed for the troops in WWII, was appointed "Representative to the United Nations" by Richard Nixon in the sixties, an Ambassador to Ghana under Gerald Ford, the first female Chief of Protocol ( was even was in charge of Jimmy Carter's Innaugeral Ball), and named Ambassador to then Czechoslovakia under George Bush Sr. She was also one of the first prominent women to speak out about Breast Cancer Awareness after becoming diagnosed herself with a tumor and undergoing a radical mastectomy in 1972. Fearless, loved, and one of a kind, it is safe to say America has definitely lost her one true Sweetheart! Miss Black's light was extinguished on Feb. 10, 2014 due to natural causes. She was 85.
_01.jpg)
In Memoriam
"The Good Ship Lollipop!"
From
"Bright Eyes"
1934
(Please note: Video May or May Not Appear on Smart Phone Devices)
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLLSqpYyPD8&feature=kp
(Please note: Video May or May Not Appear on Smart Phone Devices)
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLLSqpYyPD8&feature=kp
Shirley Temple Black 4/23/28 ~ 2/10/14
"And a little child shall lead them." Isaiah 11:6
