Temple Tuesday: Shirley & George

This previously posted shot is of George Murphy and Shirley doing one of my very favorite Temple tap numbers, “We Should Be Together” in 1938’s “Little Miss Broadway.” The chemistry between these two is off the charts; Murphy’s smooth style and winning smile made him a perfect Shirley costar.

Eleven years later, Temple returned to the Fox lot to make “Mr. Belvedere Goes to College.” A large party was held to honor the momentous occasion (her return...definitely not the movie itself!) and Shirley was reunited with Murphy:



In October 1967, Murphy and Temple smiled again for the cameras as she entered the political arena with a bid for California's 11th congressional district. Republican Senate Minority Leader Everett Dirksen is on the right, kissing the cheek that was first kissed (on screen at least!) by Dickie Moore in “Miss Annie Rooney.” The original caption for this publicity shot:

Shirley Temple Visits Capitol. Washington, D.C.: Former child screen star Shirley Temple Black gets a welcoming kiss from Senate Minority Leader Everett Dirksen when she visited his office today. Mrs. Black is a Republican candidate for the seat of the late screen star Arthur Younger (R-Calif.). At left is another former screen star, Sen. George Murphy (R-Ill).



After a fairly successful career on the screen, Murphy transitioned to the political arena, serving from 1965 to 1971 as U.S. Senator from California, the first notable U.S. actor to be elected to statewide office in California, before Ronald Reagan and Arnold Schwarzenegger. He’s also the only U.S. Senator represented by a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

See more Shirley Temple photos at my main website.