Temple Tuesday: Let Them Eat Cake

Based on the many publicity photos released of Shirley Temple during her heyday, you’d think she was Marie Antoinette, always indulging in cake! In the photo above, she attends the fifth birthday of Harold Lloyd Jr., January 25, 1935. Jane Bannister, daughter of actress Ann Harding, is on the right. What a cake! It would be difficult to decide, should you eat it or play with it?



Above, Shirley is celebrating friend and costar Bill Robinson’s birthday held at Fox Studio, May 25, 1935.



Although FDR was not in attendance, a birthday celebration was held at the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles on January 30, 1937 in the President’s honor. Shirley Temple and Eddie Cantor are pictured below in front of the spectacular cake!



Arthur Treacher, Anita Louise, Shirley, Mary Nash, and Marcia Mae Jones on set for the filming of Sara’s lavish birthday party.



Shirley convinced her mother that the other child actors in “The Little Princess” (1939) weren’t satisfied with the “fake” birthday party called for in the film. As a result, they were given a “real” party in the studio’s Café de Paris afterwards. The children sat at a decorated table, gorging themselves on cake and ice cream. The only “casualty” of the occasion was that one little girl spilled a plate of ice cream over her dress, and the production was held up until it was cleaned. Among those present at Shirley’s party in the photo below were Sybil Jason Marcia Mae Jones, Deidre Gale, and Ira Stevens.



Shirley can be seen at the top right, next to Marcia Mae Jones. Deidre Gale is front left, Ira Stevens has her mouth full with a roll on the right.



In April 1942, Shirley shared birthday cake with her fellow cast members of the radio show, “Junior Miss.” A “V” for Victory on the patriotic themed cake.



Instead of eating cake at her 1945 wedding to first husband John Agar, Shirley seemed to take greater pleasure in shoving a piece into the mouth of her future ex-husband.



The public also shared in Shirley’s simple meals, such as this basic breakfast of toast and fruit at her Santa Monica home.



A bowl of Quaker Oats Puffed Wheat:



A quick snack between takes of “Little Miss Broadway” (1938).



Ready for lunch?

See more Shirley Temple photos at my main website.

Temple Tuesday: Junior Miss Shirley

Shirley is lounging on the patio of her Brentwood home reading a copy of Sally Benson’s book, Junior Miss, circa March 1942. Want to see a color shot of the book she is holding in her famous little hands? Of course you do.

 

At the time, Shirley was playing Judy Graves, the lead character, in the CBS radio version of Benson’s book. This publicity shot was also to promote Shirley’s popular radio show.

 


From the accompanying publicity blurb:

 
JUNIOR MISSES all over the country will be attending their first formal dance this summer. Shirley Temple, youthful star of Columbia network’s “Junior Miss” series, wears a white pique model that is sophisticated enough to please the wearer and young enough to please her mother. Cut along simple princess lines, it is trimmed with eyelet embroidered leaves and three little black velvet bows. Shirley also wears a matching bow in her hair.

Would teens today wear this?

See more teen Temple photos at my main website.

Temple Tuesday: Judy's Husband

Here is Shirley with David Rose, Judy Garland’s first husband. At the time this shot was taken, Judy and David had barely been married a year...with only 2 more left before they divorced.

The radio program Shirley was performing in was “Junior Miss,” a CBS situation comedy sponsored by Procter and Gamble. The series was first heard on Wednesday evenings from March 4, 1942 to August 26, 1942, with Shirley as Judy Graves. Sally Benson, best known for her novel Meet Me in St. Louis, also wrote “Junior Miss.”



Rose was the musical director for the show. The two seemed to be enjoying a light moment here.



A serious moment in the show:



Look at Shirley emote!



If you noticed the bracelet that Shirley is wearing, it sold in the “Love, Shirley Temple, Take Two: From Schoolgirl to Storybook” 2015 auction. Here’s the catalog description and photo:

SHIRLEY TEMPLE'S ALPHABET DIE-CUT ID BRACELET

7 1/2". The bracelet is formed of stylized cut-out letters in brass and gold-plated finish, spelling the name Shirley Temple. Suspended from the clasp is a brass circular plate inscribed "Shirley Temple" on one side, and "227 N. Rockingham Rd., West Los Angeles" on the other. Included is a photograph of Shirley Temple wearing the bracelet which was a favorite of hers while a young lady. Circa 1940.

Realized Price: $10,000
Presale Estimate: 800+



I’m still reeling over the estimate versus the final price. Wowza.

See more teen Shirley Temple photos at my main website.

Temple Tuesday: Shirley on the Radio

John Florea worked for LIFE Magazine from 1941-1949, photographing some of the most famous actresses of the 1940s. These three shots that he took show Shirley Temple performing on the radio in 1942. Most likely she was performing the role of Judy Graves in the series "Junior Miss." Not quite sure how the birdcage fits in though!



Shirley's movie career was stalled at the time while she was attending Westlake School for Girls and enjoying the life of a normal teenager. Or at least as normal as the girl who was once the most famous child in the world could ever hope to be.



Ads for "Junior Miss" gushed about teenage Shirley:

"A new radiant Shirley Temple—in a magnificent story, worthy of her talents! Made a date to meet her every Wednesday at 9:00 (E.W.T.) You'll lose your heart to this lovable, laughable JUNIOR MISS! Make a Date to Meet Her!



Here's a closeup of two members of the orchestra. That should account for at least a portion of the extravagant $12,000 per episode budget!



The program premiered on March 4, 1942 and ended with the 26th episode on August 26, 1942.



Not a bad little run for our girl Shirley!



More teenage Shirley at my main website.