Temple Tuesday: Behind the Scenes of Rebecca

This behind-the-scenes image from Shirley Temple’s “Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm” (1938) shows the child star at the piano with Jack Haley leaning in over her shoulder. A detailed view of Shirley and Jack, best known as the Tinman from “The Wizard of Oz” (1939):



Below in the detailed view you can see the crew, which includes Cinematographer/Photographer Arthur C. Miller at far left in glasses, Joseph LaShelle (uncredited second cameraman) behind the camera, and director Allan Dwan in front. Shirley’s brother Jack (uncredited second assistant director) is sitting in the background near the fireplace. Apparently this scene was filmed before he was removed from the picture by Director Dwan for an altercation he had with his famous sister over a prop turkey (you can read more about it here). Note the label on the camera for the Shirley Temple Police. The badges began on Shirley’s previous film, “Heidi” (1937).



One of the most coveted (and personal) pieces of Shirley memorabilia is an authentic Shirley Temple Police Force badge. The idea began when Shirley put a paper clip on still photographer Anthony Ugrin’s coat one day. She wrote about its origin in her 1945 autobiography My Young Life:

I told him that wearing the clip made him a policeman and I was chief of police. One of the prop men asked to join the force, so I put a paper clip in his lapel too, and pretty soon everybody on the set was going around ornamented with paper clips. Then I decided that the director (Allan Dwan, on the set of “Heidi”) should be chief of police and offered to abdicate, but the director wanted me to retain my high position and joined the ranks instead. Finally, the director presented me with a box of little tin badges with the inscription ‘Shirley Temple Police Force,’ painted on in black lettering. First thing every morning I’d line up the Shirley Temple Police Force for inspection and look at their badges. There was a 5-cent fine for people who had forgotten their badges, and a 1-cent fine for not having it polished, and thumping $5.00 fine for anyone who had lost a badge or given it away.…I made scads of money on fines, but I didn’t keep it. Part of it furnished a Girl Scout room in Santa Monica, another part helped to build a recreation room for boys in a Santa Monica school and the rest went to the Babies Milk Fund.

Members each signed the declaration that “I wish to join this police station for $10,000,000 per week. This will not be paid if I leave within 10 years.” The badge shown below was auctioned off in 2015 for $3,600.


Another behind the scenes shot from the musical number, “Come and Get Your Happiness.” Once again, LaShelle is behind the camera, Dwan in front of it, and Photographer Arthur C. Miller in the back leaning against the table:



Shirley is directing two pretty singing twins, who also appeared in “Just Around the Corner” (1938).



Below are announcer George Fisher and Shirley Temple at the Press Preview of Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre on March 4, 1938. Shirley had the opportunity to speak over the radio airwaves of the Mutual Broadcasting Network at 8:30pm Pacific Time.



The great Rita Dubas, Shirley expert supreme, identified the object in Shirley’s gloved hand as one of the coveted Police Force Badges. Not quite sure though…



Maybe this alternate shot from the evening will reveal what’s in Shirley’s gloved hands.



Bingo! It’s a Shirley Temple Police Badge. Of course Rita was right!



Rita also put together this incredible video with clips and other goodies from the preview:



See more “Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm” photos at my main website.