Temple Tuesday: The Coat & Beanie Craze, Pt. 2

Finally, part two of the Coat and Beanie Craze post! Melissa (aka “The Colonel”) did the legwork to collect all of the instances that Shirley wore this type of clothing combo in her films. The first instance is from 1936’s, “Stowaway.” Shirley goes to Reno to prevent her adopted parents from getting a divorce. The judge (J. Edward Bromberg) is more than happy to assist her! As she turns away to go to the judge’s chambers, we can see the feathers that adorn her little beanie. This movie costume is one that didn’t surface in the 2015 Theriault’s auction, “Love, Shirley Temple.”



Two coat and beanie combos appear in “Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm” (1938). The first one has apparently disappeared over the years.



As Rebecca (Shirley) is ripped away from Sunnybrook Farm by her scheming stepfather (William Demarest), she sports this cute hat and beanie:



The coat came to auction, but sadly no beanie. From the auction catalog description:

ROSF: SILK DRESS, FLOWER DESIGN, COAT, WORN BY SHIRLEY TEMPLE IN "REBECCA OF SUNNYBROOK FARM" Lot Number: 456 The navy blue silk crepe dress has hidden front closure which opens to hidden pleats below the waist, and with two matching hidden pleat insets at the front and a gathered back, all allowing for easy and fluid movement. The inset color is a rich ecru which matches the two applique wildflowers, the piping, and the ecru covered decorative buttons. The dress has original studio label of 5349. Along with a woolen coat of matching color with white silk faille collar and piping. Generally excellent, back of coat collar a bit darkened. Included are two vintage photographs of Shirley wearing the costume. The costume was worn by Rebecca (Shirley Temple) in the 1938 film "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm". Realized Price: $8,500 Presale Estimate: 3000+



This is also the outfit that initially inspired my two posts! I was able to photograph the coat when it was on display at the Santa Monica History Museum:



As her character leaves the orphanage in “Little Miss Broadway” (1938), Shirley wears this beautiful coat and beanie.



From the auction description:

WEDGWOOD-BLUE WOOLEN COAT WITH SAWTOOTH ACCENTS WORN BY SHIRLEY TEMPLE AT EVENTS Lot Number: 325 Of a rich wedgewood-blue color, the lightweight woolen coat with self-covered buttons features suit lapels of ivory silk faille, and is decorated with vertical bands of dark blue sawtooth-shaped appliques.The coat was worn by Shirley Temple for various social and publicity events in the late 1930s. Realized Price: $4,250 Presale Estimate: 500+





It isn’t long before Shirley has another costume change into (what else?) a coat and beanie. This one is worn during the “We Should Be Together” number with George Murphy.



This time, the beanie hat was included in the 2015 auction!

BLUE WOOLEN COAT WITH COLLAR, HANDKERCHIEF, BERET WORN BY SHIRLEY IN "LITTLE MISS BROADWAY" Lot Number: 323 The blue woolen double-breasted coat has a fine Belgian lace collar, breast pocket with lace-edged hankie, and two pockets with flaps. Along with a blue woolen beret. Included are two vintage photographs of Shirley Temple wearing the costume. The costume was worn by Betsy (Shirley Temple) in the 1938 film "Little Miss Broadway", notably in the song and dance routine "We Should Be Together" with George Murphy, and on various publicity occasions. Realized Price: $6,250 Presale Estimate: 3000+ 



As Shirley attempts to escape the truant officer, she wears combo #3!



BROWN WOOLEN COAT WORN BY SHIRLEY TEMPLE FOR PUBLICITY EVENTS Lot Number: 551 Of woven brown wool, with double-breasted construction, side-slit pockets and wide lapels, the richly lined coat is trimmed with two amusing lapel pins depicting Tyrolean style figures. The coat was worn by Shirley Temple for various publicity events including a promotion for the Los Angeles Railway Co., of which a vintage photograph is included. Realized Price: $1,700 Presale Estimate: 500+



Could there possibly be a fourth combo? You betcha’!



BROWN CASHMERE WOOLEN COAT WORN BY SHIRLEY TEMPLE IN THE 1938 FILM "LITTLE MISS BROADWAY" Lot Number: 326 Of light brown cashmere wool, the silk-satin lined coat features nine self-covered buttons that extend down the front, dainty rounded collar, curved collar with flap covers, and decorative leaf-shaped trapunto quilting at the front and back shoulders and sleeves. Generally excellent, a few tiny moth holes. Included is a vintage photograph of Betsy (Shirley Temple) wearing the coat from the 1938 film "Little Miss Broadway", notably as Betsy escapes from the orphanage to help save the Hotel Variety, hitching a ride on the bike handlebars of the newspaper delivery boy. Realized Price: $4,750 Presale Estimate: 1000+



This fifth ensemble is worn in the courtroom scene, and also shows up in the publicity photos taken during Eleanor Roosevelt’s visit to 20th Century-Fox:




FINE COUTURIER COAT WORN BY SHIRLEY TEMPLE IN PUBLICITY PHOTOGRAPHS Lot Number: 103 Of finest midnight-blue wool with very narrow pinstripes, the tapered coat has reverse stripe six-button placket front, three petite flap pockets, ivory silk faille collar with knife-cut lapels and detachable matching yoke with toggle button closure, silk faille fold-up cuffs. Generally excellent. The coat is tagged "13809 Temple" indicating it may have appeared in a late 1930s/early 1940s film, and definitely was used by Shirley Temple in a number of publicity photographs, including this in which Hedda Hopper is shown signing Shirley's autograph book. In addition to Shirley Temple’s use of the coat in publicity photographs, she also wore the coat in “Little Miss Broadway” while singing “Thank You For the Use of the Hall”. Realized Price: $3,500 Presale Estimate: 500+



“Just Around the Corner” (1938) only has one coat and beanie:



Again, another instance where the beanie has disappeared!

BLUE BOUCLE WOOLEN COAT WORN BY SHIRLEY TEMPLE IN THE 1938 FILM "JUST AROUND THE CORNER" Lot Number: 462 Of powder blue boucle wool, the faux double-breasted coat has self-covered buttons, curve-shaped pockets (one with lace handkerchief), striped silk faille collar and cuffs, and blue silk crepe lining. The coat has original studio inventory number 14714. Included are two vintage photographs of Shirley Temple wearing the coat, once with her co-stars of the 1938 film, and once in a publicity photograph as she was arriving to serve as Grand Marshall of the 1939 Tournament of Roses Parade. The costume was worn by Penny (Shirley Temple) in opening scenes of the 1938 film "Just Around the Corner" as she arrives at the Riverview to find she no longer lives in the penthouse, but rather in a basement apartment. The costume designer for the film was Gwen Wakeling. Realized Price: $5,000 Presale Estimate: 1000+



My very favorite coat and beanie worn by Shirley is from her final film at Fox, “Young People” (1940). Unfortunately, this one has also apparently disappeared over the years.



One can hope that the missing beanies and other ensembles are squirreled away in somebody’s closet/drawer, waiting to be discovered!

See more Shirley Temple photos at my main website.

Temple Tuesday: Shirley Crosses The Country

In 1938, Shirley Temple made national headlines as she and her parents traveled by car from California to New York. The Saalfield Publishing Company devoted an entire coloring book to this monumental trip that allowed Shirley’s fans in other states to see her in person for the very first time. Some of those fans included President Roosevelt and FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover. Not too shabby, huh?



This was one of the wire photos sent around the world to keep everyone abreast of what Shirley was up to. The accompanying caption:

The biggest star in Hollywood is one of the smallest — Shirley Temple. She’s got a big smile and a twinkle in her eyes for the fans during a motor tour of the country.

It was June 1938 and Shirley was holding a Press Conference in Chicago, wearing a dress from “Little Miss Broadway.”



The dress was part of the 2015 Love, Shirley Temple auction and sold for $4,750.



From the Theriault’s Catalog:

Of a very fine silk crepe with alternating bands of navy blue and white that are printed with vibrantly colored flowers, featuring a fitted yoke, and high-waisted skirt whose pleats are artistically arranged to feature the dark blue stripes when still, and then the white hidden stripes when actively moving about. The dress has fine white organdy collar and puffed sleeves, each with lace trim, and sash with ties. The dress is labeled 13811 S. Temple. It was worn by (Betsy) Shirley Temple in the 1938 film "Little Miss Broadway", notably in the scene when Aunt Sarah creates a scene in the Hotel Variety and Betsy sighs, “I don't know what she's talking about, but I bet she's going to make trouble.” The dress, a favorite of the young star, also appeared in various publicity photographs.

The wooden doll Shirley was holding in the photos, known as Susie Blockhead, was also put up for bid and fetched $4,250.



The auction description:

Having solid domed carved head with chip-carved smoothly varnished finish, high bald dome, tiny cartoon-like painted round eyes with tiny white eye dots, button-shaped nose, downcast pouting lips, stockinette softly stuffed body with separately defined thumb, stitch jointing at shoulders and hips, cotton dress and bandana, undergarments, knit slippers. Excellent condition. The doll, a constant companion of the young Shirley Temple, accompanied her on many travels, and appeared in various photographs with her. It is likely that the doll was Susie Blockhead, described by Shirley as a "floppy favorite" in her 1988 autobiography, Child Star.

When was the last time one of your childhood outfits/toys sold for that much?

See more Shirley Temple photos at my main website.

Temple Tuesday: Shirley and Arthur Miller Play Shuffleboard

This behind-the-scenes shot from Shirley’s 1936 “Stowaway” has the young star practicing shuffleboard aboard the ocean liner set. Standing next to her is costar Richard Allan.

The dress Shirley is wearing would be made in doll-size for the popular Ideal composition toy that parents spent their hard-earned Depression era dollars on. Here’s the 20" version of that dress:

Check out the embroidery details! For a mass-market toy, this is true craftsmanship.

Back to the initial photo…in this detailed view, you can see cameraman Arthur C. Miller smiling on the left. No, not the one that married Marilyn Monroe.

This Arthur Miller was born July 8, 1895 in Roslyn, New York, and was known as one of Hollywood's most accomplished lighting cameramen. He began his career at 13, serving as an assistant to cinematographer Fred J. Balshofer. Miller photographed the serial "The Perils of Pauline" in 1914, and then worked with legendary director Cecil B. DeMille. In 1932, Miller shot “Me and My Gal” for director Raoul Walsh, his first picture under a long-term contract he had signed with Fox Films. It was at Fox that he became associated with the two people with whom he would establish his lasting reputation: Shirley Temple and John Ford. Miller became Shirley's personal cameraman for each of her films, with “Bright Eyes” (1934) being the first. Miller created an aura around the tot's blonde locks by back-lighting her head, often lighting her in high key and the actor with whom she was playing in low key to heighten her allure. Miller would use a similar lighting scheme in 1943 to create a mystical effect with Jennifer Jones in “The Song of Bernadette,” which earned him the second of his two Academy Awards for black and white cinematography. Miller first worked together with John Ford in 1937 on Temple’s “Wee Willie Winkie.”  Ford gave Miller the freedom to light and photograph a picture the way he desired Their collaboration reached its height when Miller shot “How Green Was My Valley” (1941) for Ford. The typical camerawork at the time tended to emphasis a soft style, which was felt to be more artistic and painterly. Miller, who was a hyper-realist, preferred to create hard images, with deep shadows and brilliant highlights. A master of black-and-white photography, Miller gave his images a high glossiness and intense coloration. Both Miller and Ford won Oscars in 1942 for “Valley”; Miller for his cinematography and Ford for his direction. Miller's deep-focus cinematography on the picture beat out Gregg Toland's work for “Citizen Kane” (1941). Miller was very well-respected among his peers, being nominated for an Oscar for cinematography each year from 1940 through 1947, except for 1945. Though his mastery was in black and white, his second Oscar nomination was for the color cinematography of Shirley’s 1940 flop, “The Blue Bird.” Arthur Miller retired in 1951, later serving as president of the American Society of Cinematographers. In the 1960s he set up an extensive exhibit of vintage camera equipment for the ASC. Shoftly before his death, he finished making the documentary “The Moving Picture Camera.” He died on July 13, 1970, in Hollywood, California, from tuberculosis, eight days after his 75th birthday.

Here he is on the set of “Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm” (1938):

Another one from the same film with Miller, Shirley, and director Allan Dwan:

And in “Little Miss Broadway” with director Irving Cummings (born Irving Caminsky), George Murphy, Shirley, and Miller:

Miller at center, Cummings, Shirley, and Jimmy Durante on the right from “Little Miss Broadway”:

And one more from “Little Miss Broadway,” also from the courtroom scene at the end of the film:

See more Shirley Temple photos at my main website.

Temple Tuesday: Shirley Returns to Fox

In November 1948, Darryl F. Zanuck and 20th Century Fox had a little “Welcome Home, Shirley” party at the Commissary, in honor of Shirley returning to the lot after an eight-year absence. She was about to begin filming “Mr. Belvedere Goes to College.” Here, Zanuck pins an orchid on Shirley, and then welcomes her co-star Clifton Webb:



Jane Withers, who played Shirley’s bratty nemesis in “Bright Eyes” showed up with husband William Moss:



...and how the two girls looked fourteen years earlier. My how they have grown!



In her autobiography Child Star, Shirley wrote that her mother elected to skip the party for a visit to the doctor, but as you can see from this photo, both her parents attended, despite the differences they had with Zanuck towards the end of Shirley’s contract at Fox.



No idea who these folks are, and from the look on Shirley’s face, she probably ducked away soon after this photo was shot.



Shirley examines a box of roses with former co-star George Murphy; not sure who the other young lady is, but it doesn’t appear to be the woman he was married to at the time.



George and Shirley a decade beforehand (note Claude Gillingwater, who played the judge) in “Little Miss Broadway”:



Former costars Charlotte Greenwood and C. Aubrey Smith gave Shirley a warm welcome:



Jack Oakie, Shirley, and Charlotte Greenwood from eight years before in “Young People”:



Shirley and Smith in 1937’s “Wee Willie Winkie”:



Shirley and her stand-in, Mary Lou Isleib, surround their former schoolteacher, Frances Klamt:



Shirley and Mary Lou back in 1938 on the set of “Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm”:



The uncomfortable shot of the evening goes to…Richard Widmark and Shirley!



See more Shirley Temple photos at my main website.