Temple Tuesday: Shirley, Soda, and More

Legend has it that W.C. Fields (shown above with Baby LeRoy) once said, “Never Work With Children Or Animals.” Why? Because invariably they are either unpredictable and/or they will steal the scene from the adults. In truth, humorist and author Leo Rosten once joked ABOUT Fields saying “Any man who hates dogs and babies can't be all bad,” which eventually morphed into being attributed to W.C.

Shirley Temple never had to worry about that; whether as a child, a teen, or an adult, she always held the focus of the audience, and was never afraid to share a scene with an animal, especially a dog, as seen below.



From the accompanying caption:

Shirley Temple makes friends with Soda, the pet English bulldog appearing with her in “Since You Went Away.” The picture was taken on the set of this Selznick International Picture directed by John Cromwell with an all star cast including: Claudette Colbert, Joseph Cotten, Jennifer Jones, Monty Woolley, Robert Walker, Hattie McDaniel and others of note.



Shirley had previous experience with a bulldog in “The Blue Bird” (1940). She didn’t have many scenes with the dog though, as the animal was transformed into a human early on in the film and played by Eddie Collins:



What a cutie!



Shirley surrounded by Collins and Gale Sondergaard:



Back to Soda…Shirley’s affection for dogs is visible throughout the film with this lovable bulldog.



The publicity machine continued to generate “news” about Shirley and Soda even as she was making her next film without him.



Favorite pin-up boy on the wall of Shirley Temple’s dressing room on the set of Selznick International’s “I’ll Be Seeing You” is Dick Whittington, English Bulldog who recently appeared with Shirley in David O. Selznick’s “Since You Went Away.”

Shirley truly loved dogs and had them throughout her life On set it was Soda; at home it was her beloved Ching Ching:



Below is an image of Shirley and then husband John Agar outside their home:



A 1949 image at home with Agar and her collie:



Shirley from 1960 at home with her Boxer, Chris:



See more “Since You Went Away” photos at my main website.

Temple Tuesday: A Girl and her Dog

Shirley Temple was many things, including an animal lover. This two September 1937 images shows her holding her dog Ching-Ching at her Rockingham Avenue home. Thanks to Melissa T. (aka “The Colonel”) for the second photo!



Shirley met the little Pekingese who played a small role in her 1936 movie “Stowaway.” After filming was over, Shirley was given the dog and renamed him “Ching-Ching” after her character in the movie. The dog who played “Mr. Woo” is shown here in this still:



Despite the W.C. Fields quote “Never work with animals or children,” Shirley was able to hold her own in every movie, thank you very much.



Didja’ know department: Shirley’s dog in the movie “Bright Eyes” was none other than Terry the Cairn Terrier, aka Toto in “The Wizard of Oz.” Sorry Judy; Shirley had him first!



How about this adorable still of Shirley with a dog in 1935’s “The Little Colonel”?



In 1938’s “Just Around the Corner,” Shirley assists Joan Davis in the dog grooming department of her apartment building:



Today’s post is Willis approved.



See more Shirley photos at my main website.