Temple Tuesday: Shirley Loves A Mystery

Publicity shots of Shirley Temple weren’t just limited to the studio; the two shown today were taken at her Brentwood home on Rockingham Drive. In this first image from 1939, Shirley is reading Strangers in the Desert, seated in the nook of her playroom. There was not much to be found about this book, especially the 1938 first edition that she is reading. From Kirkus Book Reviews:

STRANGERS IN THE DESERT
by Alice Dyar Russell • RELEASE DATE: Oct. 19, 1938
A first rate mystery story, with the identity of the boy who is boarding in a doctor's family, as the pivot on which the story hangs. The family is well done, the relations of parents and children, and of the children to each other -- and of the problem of the shy stranger is a good build-up for his sudden disappearance, foreshadowed by inquiring strangers and midnight escapades. Then the kidnapping — and the search. Well sustained — well written — and good reading for all ages. California setting.



I couldn’t find an image of the edition Shirley is holding; only the paperback version from 1949:





The Portland Press Herald gave the book its “Book of the Week” designation in its November 11, 1938 edition. As for the author, Alice Dyar Russell, she was a Phi Beta Kappa who wrote many short stories for youth. She liked the desert at night, wild flowers, books, and open fires. She disliked playing bridge, big cities, and formal occasions. Sounds like my kind of gal!



In this image, from the same photo session, Shirley appears to be attempting to wake up the fish in her tank. There appears to be a boat model above the tank with a little plaque. “[can’t make out] Timber SSS Pikes Peak • Shirley Temple.” Possibly a boat given to her during her 1938 visit there during her cross country vacation.



Newspapers of the day covered Shirley’s trip to Pikes Peak on June 12, 1938:



Shirley and her parents spent a few days in Colorado Springs also visiting the Garden of the Gods (shown below in a 1938 stamped postcard)…



and both North & South Cheyenne Canons:



They stayed at the Broadmoor Hotel (shown in a 1939 stamped postcard below) on June 11, as well as took the first official trip on the Cheyenne Mountain Cog Railroad from The Broadmoor hotel to the Zoo.



While at the Zoo, Shirley met an elephant named after her, all covered in the June 12, 1938 edition of the Colorado Springs Gazette.



And that’s it for today’s rabbit hole! See more Shirley Temple photos at my main website.