Temple Tuesday: Frank n' Shirley

I bought this photo awhile ago and was hoping to get more info on it before posting, but unfortunately, that didn’t happen. What I do know: Frank DeVol is on the left, and Shirley is on the right, looking either frustrated or tired. Where they are and what they are doing is a complete mystery, as the two don’t seem to share any credits.

Frank DeVol was born in Moundsville, West Virginia, on September 20, 1911 and grew up in Canton, Ohio. His father had a pit orchestra at the local movie house. After high school, Frank attended Miami University (in Ohio) for six weeks. The parental units saw him as a lawyer; Frank saw himself as a musician. He was a member of the musicians’ union from the age of 14 and worked for his father in the theatre orchestra. His instruments were violin and saxophone at first (he and I have that in common!). After his brief college interlude, he joined Emerson Gill’s orchestra in Ohio and traveled the state. Later, he joined Horace Heidt’s band, also taking on the duty of doing their arrangements. In 1943, he settled in California and started his own band, appearing on KHJ radio and accompaniment to many radio shows.

Based on Shirley’s appearance in the photo, I am guessing it was taken during the time of her television show, “Shirley Temple’s Storybook” (1958). Perhaps they were in a recording studio together and just happened to cross paths.

At that time, DeVol had credits as Musical Director for “The Betty White Show” (2 episodes, 1958) and “The George Gobel Show” (4 episodes, 1958-1959). DeVol also broke into the movies and composed the score for 50 films. In addition, he composed the music for a number of television shows, such as “Family Affair” (1966), “My Three Sons” (1960), and most notably “The Brady Bunch” (1969). Yes. He wrote the theme song. Now try to get that one out of your head.



He also wrote the songs for the Bette Davis/Joan Crawford camp classic, “What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?" These two songs will linger in your brain, too.





As an actor, DeVol had small parts in “The Parent Trap” (1961, as Mr. Eaglewood) and various TV sitcoms such as “Get Smart,” “That Girl,” “I Dream of Jeannie,” “My Favorite Martian,” and “Petticoat Junction.”

You can thank me later for the music playing in your brain the rest of the day.

See more Shirley Temple photos at my main website.