Temple Tuesday: Shirley and the Fools

In honor of April Fools’ Day, today’s post shows Shirley getting fooled or her costars portraying a fool, beginning with “Just Around the Corner” (1938). In the plot of this musical comedy, Shirley mistakes wealthy businessman Samuel G. Henshaw (Claude Gillingwater) for the beleagured Depression-weary Uncle Sam.



In order to help poor old “Uncle Sam,” Shirley stages a benefit in his honor, making him the laughing stock of New York City.



When all is figured out, the benefit goes on as planned and Henshaw single-handedly saves the world from the Depression. Sound far-fetched and stretched? It sure is, but somehow Shirley makes it all work out. She may have been fooled, but she was definitely no fool!



In “The Little Princess” (1939), Shirley Temple’s costar, Arthur Treacher, portrays the Court Jester/Fool in a dream sequence.



It is fairly hilarious to see the typically dignifed-butler-portraying Teacher in satin and tights, prancing around with his jester puppet.



He may have portrayed stiffs, but Treacher knew how to do a good turnout, as seen by his pose below!



Treacher’s faded tunic came up for sale in the Debbie Reynolds auction:

Arthur Treacher court-jester tunic designed by Gwen Wakeling from the Shirley Temple movie, "The Little Princess," 1939. SOLD FOR $650. Veteran British character actor Arthur Treacher plays a frustrated ex-vaudevillian forced into subservience to his cruel sister running the girls boarding school which Shirley Temple attends. This humorous split-color satin jester’s outfit by Gwen Wakeling is worn by Treacher to great effect in Shirley’s dream fantasy number in The Little Princess. United Costumers label inside reads, “ARTHUR TREACHER B931”. The special blue dye for costumes in 3-strip Technicolor films is one of the most fragile, and has here faded to aubergine; else, with minor handling and aging, Very Good overall.



His tights appeared at a later date. Hard to believe they survived all this time!



A few screenshots from the lavish Technicolor© production:



My favorite Treacher line from this dream sequence referring to Mary Nash’s evil character:

Listen to the old grand-mommy,
You’re a nasty peeping tommy!



In “Young People” (1940), as Shirley’s father, Jack Oakie portrays the biggest fool of them all.



Blustery and a bit full of himself, he is the butt of every joke. Below, daughter (Shirley) and wife (Charlotte Greenwood) have to remind him that their dressing room is in the opposite direction of where he is heading.



When the family retires from showbiz to settle down in a hick farming community, they are not readily accepted by the conservative townfolk, who appoint Oakie is a one-man-chamber-of-commerce as a joke. The problem is, Oakie thinks it’s for real.



When Oakie’s character helps the kids stage a somewhat raunchy musical number for the townsfolk, the joke is revealed and the town spinster reveals to him exactly what everyone thinks of him.



Sad to find out that her dad has been made out to be a fool, Shirley drowns her sorrows in multiple sodas. 



Fear not, as Shirley never stays down for long. Dad saves the kids from certain death during a hurricane and is hailed a hero. The family ends the film on a high note by entertaining a more receptive community with a musical number.



Remember any other fools from Shirley’s films?

See more Shirley Temple photos at my main website.

Temple Tuesday: Anatomy of a Photo

This behind-the-scenes shot from Shirley’s 1939 classic “The Little Princess” shows her with costar Arthur Treacher. From the publicity blurb on the back:

399-P4 THOROUGHLY DISGUISED - It’s hard to recognize two of the screen’s favorites. In the costumes they wear for “The Little Princess” at 20th Century-Fox. Shirley Temple and Arthur Treacher, rehearsing a scene.



399 was the number assigned for photos to “The Little Princess”; the “P” stands for publicity, which means the photo was not a straight scene from the movie, but rather designated for a news story.

The below shot is the corresponding still that would have been used to show the actual scene. At this point in the story, Shirley’s character is searching hospital wards in hopes of finding her father. Treacher portrays “Bubbling Bertie,” the friend who is assisting her with that search.



Here’s a screen shot of the scene as viewed in the final film:



Here they are unsuccessfully searching the wards:



While they don’t find her father on this particular search, they do manage to lift the spirits of the other soldiers who are recuperating from their battle injuries by performing “Old Kent Road.”



See more Shirley Temple photos at my main website.

Temple Tuesday: The Art of Storytelling

Depending upon how it is told, a story can be riveting when delivered artfully or an absolute snoozer if presented as a series of dry facts. Darryl Zanuck realized due to box office returns that the public was getting tired of the standard Shirley Temple film, and if the aging child was to continue her career on a positive trajectory, more care would have to be taken with future films. “The Little Princess” is still one of Shirley’s most beloved films, thanks to its lavish (and well-spent) budget and the extra care that was taken in telling the story. Within the first ten minutes, all of the important plot points have been introduced. The main driver of the story is that little Sara Crewe (Shirley Temple) and her father have a very close bond and have rarely spent time apart, yet are about to be separated because of the Boer War. We are also introduced to the villainess, Miss Minchin (Mary Nash), who immediately shows herself to be two-faced, with an unhealthy regard for financial gain and social status. Her brother (Arthur Treacher) proves to be a jovial sort who is bullied by his snobbish sister.

Within the next few minutes, the romantic subplot between Miss Rose (Anita Louise) and the dashing Mr. Geoffrey (Richard Greene) appears, along with the knowledge that Miss Minchin does not approve of their alliance.

Additional supporting characters who will assist Sara in her journey include Ram Dass (Cesar Romero), the kindly servant of Mr. Geoffrey’s grandfather who keeps tabs on the little girl:

and Becky (Sybil Jason), the young scullery maid, who is Sara’s closest confidante:

Zanuck was known for moving his stories along quickly, removing any scenes that would be extraneous to the plot, thus holding the interest of the audience. Everything that occurs after the first portion of the film relates back to these characters and plot points.

All of these initial scenes build up the emotions of the audience to the first jolt of the film: Sarah’s father is in danger because of the war and won’t be able to make it back for her birthday party. This heightens our anxiety, brings up a number of questions (will Captain Crewe survive the war?), and also sets up future complications (he tells her to spend as much as she wants on her birthday party).

Just as we are teetering on the brink of sadness for Sara’s uncertain future, we breathe a sigh of relief when it is announced that the soldiers at Mafeking have been relieved:

…and the joyous birthday celebration is able to unfold exactly as planned, albeit without Sara’s father.

Don’t let your guard down too quickly, though. As it is with most riveting films, a moment of intense happiness is followed by one of utter despair.

It would be easy to make a chart of the peaks and valleys of emotions that this well-told story provides, slowly building to the exciting final crescendo. To see the fate of little Sarah you’ll have to watch “The Little Princess” for yourself.

See more Shirley Temple photos at my main website.

Temple Tuesday: Treacher and Temple

Shirley Temple Black co-hosted The Mike Douglas Show the week of May 9, 1972. The golden curls had been replaced by much darker and lacquered locks, but the dimples, charm, and infectious smile still remained. On May 12th, Shirley ended her co-host stint with guest John Davidson, Russell E. Train (Secretary of the Interior), The United States Air Force band and the Singing Sergeants (performing “I Am An American” with Shirley), and one of her most beloved costars, Arthur Treacher. From 1965-1970, Treacher had served as announcer and comic sidekick for Douglas' rival, Merv Griffin. In the 1930’s, he played opposite Shirley four times, beginning in 1935’s “Curly Top”:

 

Again in 1936 with Robert Young in “Stowaway”:

In 1937, he got a lesson from Shirley on how to milk a goat in “Heidi.” As you can see, the child star found great delight in watching him get squirted by the goat.

Two years passed before the two had their final on-screen pairing in “The Little Princess.” This time, they performed a few dance numbers together, including this one to cheer up the wounded soldiers:

See more Shirley Temple photos at my main website.

Temple Tuesday: Sara's Birthday

Today’s TT photo shows the birthday party sequence from Shirley’s Technicolor classic, “The Little Princess.” How do you make bad news even worse? Have it follow a super joyous occasion! Sara Crewe (played by Shirley) barely gets to blow out the candles when she is told that her father has died in the war. It’s a Shirley movie, so of course there’s a happy ending!

I love how even for this publicity shot, all the actors are in full character. Mary Nash as the evil Miss Minchin glares at Shirley. Marcia Mae Jones who plays Shirley’s arch rival in the film is appropriately haughty. Shirley is happy as could be, as she rips into a birthday present.



See more Shirley Temple photos at my main website.

Temple Tuesday: On Set of The Little Princess

This rare overhead shot shows filming of the dream sequence from the 1939 Shirley Temple movie "The Little Princess." This detailed view shows Shirley and popular costar, Arthur Treacher.



Recently, I was able to see the well-preserved costumes that Shirley wore in this sequence when they were on display at the Santa Monica History Museum. Here's her Princess outfit:



and her ballerina one:



You can view the final sequence here:



More Shirley Temple at my main website.

Shirley Temple: Behind the Scenes, 1939

Shirley Temple's popularity began to slide a bit in 1938 as the public tired of her formula films, which were not quite as precocious for a 10-year old as they had been for a 6-year old when she began in 1934. 20th Century Fox mogul Darryl Zanuck knew he would have to do something to keep Temple a box office bonanza, so he gave her Technicolor, a quality script, and a budget of over a million dollars. The result was one of her best films, "The Little Princess."

Today's post shows four behind-the-scenes shots taken during the filming of this 1939 Temple classic. The first two photos were taken on set during a rehearsal of the scene where Shirley's character, Sara Crewe, gets to tell off the snotty rich girls who have made her life a living hell. The two girls were played by Deidre Gale and Marcia Mae Jones.



This was one of Shirley's favorite scenes to film, and shows that she truly had a bit of the devil in her. As she recalled in her autobiography, Child Star:

I was to dump a scuttle of dusty coal ashes over Marcia Mae Jones' head and ruin her elegant dress. I relished the action almost as if I were getting even, although with the wrong girl. [Director Walter] Lang had ordered a single take. With true zest, I lifted the scuttle as high as I could and dumped its contents on top of her curls. She was taller, with long legs. Or perhaps it was the party dress. My envy was consuming, and her expression of distaste with all the mess was matched by own enthusiasm. Sidling up to the diretor, I said I could do my part better if we tried it again. It was already overkill. Scowling at me sideways, Marcia Mae was bent over, shaking the ashes out of her hair. Lang said no, and I recognized my spite had been misplaced and the mark overshot. Making amends, I asked her to share my ritual Coca-Cola from the props ice chest. Still dusty and perhaps justifiably peeved, she accepted, and our bottles were drained without much talk.

She may have been the biggest box office draw, but Shirley still had to do her schoolwork. Here she is in full royal regalia which was worn in the dream sequence. How many children get to wear a crown at school?



Last one today shows the dream sequence, where Sara imagines she is a Queen and her friend Bertie is the Court Jester. Bertie was played by frequent Temple costar Arthur Treacher, who can also be seen in "Curly Top," "Stowaway," and "Heidi." You might also recognize Treacher as Constable Jones in Disney's "Mary Poppins" or as Merv Griffin's announcer and sidekick on The Merv Griffin Show from 1965–70.



Treacher is also known as the namesake for Arthur Treacher's Fish and Chips, a popular restaurant chain in the 1970s that grew to nearly 900 locations. I have many fond memories of eating there on Sunday nights when I was growing up.



See more Daveland Shirley Temple Black photos at my main website.

Screen Gem Saturdays: Debbie Reynolds Auction Part 2, Pt. 1

Debbie Reynolds shocked everyone with the amazing collection she put on the auction block earlier this year; her second one was somewhat less impressive, and the prices showed it. Although there were some cool pieces, overall, compared to the first auction, it did seem a bit like she was scraping the barrel; not quite sure why she didn't just sell everything at once. Over the next two weeks, I'll show a few of the items that were of particular interest to me. First up...

THE LITTLE PRINCESS

Arthur Treacher court-jester tunic designed by Gwen Wakeling from the Shirley Temple movie, "The Little Princess," 1939. SOLD FOR $650. Veteran British character actor Arthur Treacher plays a frustrated ex-vaudevillian forced into subservience to his cruel sister running the girls boarding school which Shirley Temple attends. This humorous split-color satin jester’s outfit by Gwen Wakeling is worn by Treacher to great effect in Shirley’s dream fantasy number in The Little Princess. United Costumers label inside reads, “ARTHUR TREACHER B931”. The special blue dye for costumes in 3-strip Technicolor films is one of the most fragile, and has here faded to aubergine; else, with minor handling and aging, Very Good overall.





CITIZEN KANE

Ruth Warrick two piece period dress designed by Edward Stevenson from Citizen Kane, 1941. SOLD FOR $2,500. Mocha wool two piece period dress of short-bodice jacket with chocolate velvet collar and gathered sleeves, and long vent-pleated skirt, designed by Edward Stevenson for Ruth Warrick, who wears this when Orson Welles debuts her to his staff in Citizen Kane. Jacket is production labeled “CP-3-8 R.Warrick” plus “1904” to designate time period in plotline for this costume. Skirt labeled “CP-3-7 Warrick”. Aside from a few tiny scattered stains and moth holes, generally Very Fine condition, virtually as screen-worn.





There were a number of items that were from Judy Garland movies, although none of them really had the appeal of the Garland items from auction 1.

PRESENTING LILY MARS

Judy Garland “Lily Mars” ivory and black dress designed by Howard Shoup from Presenting Lily Mars, 1943. SOLD
$3,000. Ivory top and black iridescent skirt accented with colorful knit embroidery on sleeves and lace trim. Also includes lace headpiece. No label. Exhibits minor soiling on front and small material loss on left shoulder. Designed by Howard Shoup. Worn by Judy Garland as “Lily Mars” in the final scene of the play in Presenting Lily Mars.







THE HARVEY GIRLS

None of the "Harvey Girl" items were actually worn by Judy, but rather her costars. Thus the low final bids.

John Hodiak “Ned Trent” cream and brown vest from The Harvey Girls, 1946. SOLD FOR $375. Cream and brown wool six button vest. MGM label handwritten “JOHN HODIAK 1348-9338”. Worn by John Hodiak as “Ned Trent” in several scenes in The Harvey Girls.





Marjorie Main “Sonora Cassidy” teal damask period dress designed by Helen Rose from The Harvey Girls. SOLD FOR $750 (estimated $400-600). Teal damask period dress with ivory chiffon overlay and lace collar and cuffs. Handwritten label “1348-9501 Marjorie Main”. Chiffon patched on one sleeve and removed completely from skirt. Exhibits soiling on bottom of skirt. Designed by Helen Rose. Worn by Marjorie Main as “Sonora Cassidy” at Judy Garland and John Hodiak’s wedding in The Harvey Girls.





THE PIRATE

Although hailed as a classic ahead of its time, "The Pirate" was one of the few MGM Garland musicals that floundered at the box office.

Gene Kelly “Serafin” brown wool pants designed by Tom Keogh from The Pirate, 1948. SOLD FOR $1,200. Pair of brown open weave wool pants. Western costume label handwritten “GENE KELLY 1400-3637 W29 L30 / CHANGE 1A 2 EX”. Worn by Gene Kelly as “Serafin” during the Nina musical number in The Pirate.





Gladys Cooper “Aunt Inez” black and purple period dress designed by Tom Keogh from The Pirate. SOLD FOR $1,000. Purple satin period dress with black lace overlay, heavily beaded on bodice with large rosettes on skirt. Handwritten label “GLADYS COOPER #3”. Lace is missing in areas and part of trim is detached. Designed by Tom Keogh. Worn by Gladys Cooper as “Aunt Inez” as she and Garland arrive at the hotel in The Pirate.







Gladys Cooper dark red and black period dress and hat designed by Tom Keogh from The Pirate. SOLD FOR $1,700. Dark red velvet period dress with intricate black lace overlay accented with black trim and tassels. Handwritten label “GLADYS COOPER #5”. Designed by Tom Keogh. Worn by Gladys Cooper as “Aunt Inez” on Judy’s wedding day in The Pirate.







Judy Garland “Manuela” ivory satin wedding dress designed by Tom Keogh from The Pirate. SOLD FOR $22,500 (estimate was $4-6k). Ivory satin wedding dress with puff sleeves and accented with lace and faux pearls. Handwritten label “1400 Judy Garland”. Designed by Tom Keogh. Worn by Judy Garland as “Manuela” on her wedding day in The Pirate.







O. Z. Whitehead “Hurtada” blue jacket and pants designed by Tom Keogh from The Pirate. SOLD FOR $700. Blue wool open weave jacket with faux fur collar and pants accented with large ivory pompoms. MGM label handwritten “O. Z. WHITEHEAD 1400-4040 / EX.3 CHG 4 / 28 35”. Both pieces exhibit small holes. Designed by Tom Keogh. Worn by O. Z. Whitehead as “Hurtada” during Kelly’s magic act in The Pirate.







WORDS AND MUSIC

A classic all-star vehicle, this MGM musical had a boring plot, but top-notch musical numbers. One of the highlights was a musical number with Gene Kelly & Vera Ellen set to the music "Slaughter on Tenth Avenue."

Vera-Ellen “herself” yellow and orange dance costume designed by Helen Rose from Words and Music, 1948. SOLD FOR $1,600. Yellow wool top with horizontal orange strips. No label. Salmon skirt with self covered buttons. Typed label “1427-5317 V. ELLEN”. Both pieces have MGM cleaning tags. Zipper is detached two inches on back of top. Both exhibit fading of fabric. Designed by Helen Rose. Worn by Vera-Ellen as “herself” in the dance number Slaughter on 10th Avenue with Gene Kelly in Words and Music.









BARKLEYS OF BROADWAY

Originally set to be a retiming of Judy Garland & Fred Astaire, "The Barkleys of Broadway" got off to a bad start. A worn out Judy Garland just couldn't summon the strength to consistently make it to the filming of this MGM musical. Instead, Ginger Rogers ended up replacing her. Only a handful of costume tests and on-set photos survive from Judy's time on the project.

Judy Garland suit designed by Irene made for The Barkleys of Broadway, 1949. SOLD FOR $2,750. Sienna wool two piece suit with orange accents and self covered buttons. Typed label “1433-5334 J? GARLAND” and MGM cleaning tag. Both pieces exhibit a few minor holes. Designed by Irene. Made for Judy Garland for The Barkleys of Broadway but Ginger Rogers’ played the role instead.



Stay tuned for more next week!

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