Today’s post is about Shirley’s love of animals, specifically horses. Many thanks to Melissa (aka “The Colonel”) for all the text/research!
If dogs were Shirley’s favorite animal, then horses came in second. In the fall of 1936, she received a Shetland pony from Joseph M. Schenck, chairman of the board of 20th Century-Fox Studio. Samuel of Speen came directly from the Shetland Islands on the Queen Mary’s maiden voyage after being selected by the Marquess of Donegall, distinguished English writer. He was named after the Biblical character who was “devoted to the services of the temple.” The pony was nine months old and fully mature at six and a half hands and 250 lbs. He was brought to New York by Major James Caldwell, from whose breeding farm in England the pony came. He then traveled across the country to California in a special stall-car. Shirley promptly renamed him Spunky because “he wasn’t afraid of anything.” Shirley and Spunky met at the railroad freight yard in downtown Los Angeles. She draped a flower garland around his neck, which he promptly tried to eat. He went on to live in the newly-built stables at the Temple Brentwood home. Shirley writes in Child Star that the pony was less of a pet than a boarder, was not fond of being ridden, and once bit at the bottom of a visiting Lady Thelma Furness. In the Saalfield book, Shirley Temple – The Real Little Girl, it states, “Spunky is the kind of pony that others might call ‘bad-natured,’ but Shirley loves his spirit. She was especially thrilled when he was taught to kneel, roll over, and take a bow.”
Shirley was hoping that Spunky could appear with her in “The Little Princess,” just as Ching-Ching (her dog) had been in “Just Around the Corner.” But Spunky’s coloring did not photograph well, and a Shetland pony named Jewel was given the role.
Shortly after acquiring Spunky, Shirley received Roan King II from trick rider Betsy King Ross. Roanie, as Shirley called him, was the champion trick pony of the 1934 American Royal Horse Show in Kansas City. Here is the vintage publicity blurb for the photo above:
Shirley Temple, child star of the screen, tries out her newest pony, Road King 11, champion trick pony of the American Royal Horse show in Kansas City two years ago on Oct. 21, 1936. The animal was given Shirley by Betsy King Ross, trick rider, as a companion to the little actress’ other pony, Spunky.
In the Saalfield book, Now I am Eight, the author (as Shirley) writes, “Do you remember how friendly Spunky wanted to be with Roanie when we first got Roanie? He’d run right up to Roanie and try to touch noses. But Roanie didn’t want to be friends, so he’d walk away. Then Spunky would trot right after him. They’re good friends now, though. They live right next to each other in the stable, and Roanie often looks over the top of his stall to see if Spunky is getting enough to eat.”
Shirley discovered there would be a riding sequence in 1937’s “Wee Willie Winkie.” She decided to rent one of her horses, and she chose Roanie, because he matched the reddish color of the riding outfit she’d wear in the film. The sequence was cut, but the riding outfit remained in Shirley’s collection. It was auctioned off in July 2015:
According to a July 1, 1939 newspaper article, Roanie did get his film debut in “Susannah of the Mounties.” She pointed out that “besides being very comfortable and safe and accustomed to her riding, Roanie’s services could be acquired for a nominal fee.” She and associate producer Kenneth Macgowan agreed upon $10.00 per day. Here are Shirley and Roanie during the filming of “Susannah”:
Another shot of Shirley with her beloved Roanie:
See more Shirley Temple photos at my main website.
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