Temple Tuesday: Shirley and the Waltz

Shirley Temple appeared in a full color cover for the February 1949 issue of Screen and Television Guide. Inside was a two-page spread titled Mrs. Agar Struts. The magazine wrote:

The Agars were so popular in “Fort Apache,” fans demanded an encore. Now they’re in “Baltimore Escapade.” Shirley’s a siren in a slicker when she steps into the captivating old-time rhythm of the Charleston. Remember 'way back when Shirley Temple was a little charmer with an amazing ability to master grown up dance routines? When RKO’s “Baltimore Escapade” called for a Charleston, Mrs. John Agar showed director Richard Wallace that she could go into her dance with more grace and charm than ever!



The Charleston dance is part of the opening montage showing girls (all Shirley) through the ages. Although brief, it is utterly delightful to see Shirley dancing with utter carefree abandon, devoid of any of the stiffness she sometimes exhibited in her teenage movies. It is the fulfillment of her childhood promise and makes one wish she had been given the opportunity to do more.



Retitled “Adventure in Baltimore” before its April 1949 release, it is what I would call a pleasant film. Shirley was expected to carry the movie with her star power, as it lacks a compelling story and a good script. The cast is more than competent, but it is obvious they are all doing the best they can with what they have been handed. It’s also a shame that the film wasn’t done in Technicolor; in the end it comes off as the poor stepchild of “Meet Me In St. Louis.” Below is a wardrobe test for Shirley:



She wears the period outfit in church in this scene with then husband John Agar:



The Charleston isn’t the only dance Shirley performs in the film. During a scene where she is fighting with boyfriend (played by Agar), her father (Robert Young) has a heart to heart chat with her.



Afterwards, the two enter the dance contest doing a waltz. Guess who wins?



Young had played Shirley’s adopted father thirteen years before in “Stowaway” (1936):



Below are two publicity shots of Shirley working with dance instructor Charles O’Curran for the waltz contest:



From the accompanying publicity blurb:

SPIRITED LESSON - Shirley Temple and Dance Instructor Charles O'Curran rehearse a lively number for RKO Radio’s 1905 period comedy romance, “Baltimore Escapade,” which stars Robert Young, Miss Temple and John Agar.



How the twirl looked in the final film:



This pleasant little film lost $785,000 and was one of the reasons Shirley left Hollywood, frustrated with the bland material forced upon her.

See more photos at my main website.