Temple Tuesday: A Lot of Bull

When Shirley Temple signed on at MGM in January 1941, the publicity machine wasted little time in promoting its newest star. None other than Clarence Bull was enlisted to give Shirley the glamour treatment, as seen by the portraits shown here. For a bit more about Bull, here’s an excerpt from the 2008 book Glamour of the Gods by Robert Dance and John Russell Taylor:

Clarence Sinclair Bull’s long association as a photographer with the studio that would become Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer began when producer Samuel Goldwyn hired him in 1919. Managing to survive the commotion of the consolidation of Hollywood in the early and mid-1920s, Bull found himself at the helm of MGM’s stills department when the studio was formed in 1924, and stayed there until retiring in 1961. The enormity of MGM’s output of films in the 1920s—they advertised a new feature every week—saw Bull’s domain grow. He was responsible for managing MGM’s staff of photographers and the large support crew of technicians needed to develop, re-touch, print and collate the hundreds of thousands of prints distributed annually by MGM’s publicity department. At least one photograph from the 1920s shows Bull with twelve stillsmen who juggled the task of shooting photos on as many as a dozen films that might be concurrently in production. At MGM, like the other studios, these men—and it was an almost exclusively male profession—worked six days a week and often long hours each day. Generally one photographer was assigned to a production and, as filming was underway, he would document each scene using an 8 x 10 view camera. These cameras not only had lenses with sharp resolution, but contact prints could be made from the negatives quickly and in enormous quantities. The stills made for each film were numbered sequentially and gathered together for a book. Stills photographers also created the images used for poster art, lobby cards and other forms of advertising conceived by imaginative publicity chiefs and their staffs.

The first photo was numbered 5241; the one below 5245:



5257:



5266:



For SJR, I knew you’d want to see this detail:



Often, movie studios would allow their stars to wear gowns provided by the costume department when they were to be seen in public at events. This would ensure that the stars looked their best for the paparazzi! Shirley wore the gown seen above to the February 8, 1941 Greek War Relief Benefit at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. Back row: Frank Morgan, Melvyn Douglas, Charles Laughton, Dick Powell, and Reginald Owen. Seated: Madeleine Carroll, Samuel Goldwyn, Clark Gable, Carole Lombard, Shirley Temple, and Myrna Loy. , 



Back to Bull…the photo below was stamped #5267:



The accompanying caption is extremely interesting:

SHIRLEY TEMPLE…Young veteran of the screen, poses for her first portrait sitting after signing her contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The youngster will start work on two pictures for the studio “Barnacle Bill,” with Wallace Beery, and “Babes on Broadway,” with Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland. Here the tiny star wears a many-pleated skirt with a pique-collared jacket.

By the time the photo was released, the plans had been changed! Shirley was removed from both films, most likely because the Temples did not feel Shirley should be relegated to supporting roles. Instead, Shirley was made the lead in a low-budget picture (or at least as low budget as MGM could do!) titled, “Kathleen.” MGM’s frustration can be seen on the back of the photo. The portion of the above caption about her two projects AND the description of the outfit were crossed out; in pencil the following simple replacement was written:

The young star is now working in “Kathleen.”

Despite all the initial excitement and publicity about working at Hollywood’s most elite film studio, Shirley’s contract was canceled after the one movie.
   
See more teenage Shirley Temple photos at my main website.

Temple Tuesday: Marsha, Marsha, Marsha

When Shirley Temple joined the MGM stable of stars in 1941, it’s not surprising that she was given the glamour treatment. Boasting “more stars than there are in heaven,” Shirley was spruced up as much as you could a twelve year old. From the publicity machine:

Shirley Temple steps out of her dressing room—it’s No. 7, and her name is beside the door—in a white formal gown.



Before the makeup and hair people got a hold of Shirley, she was given a tour of MGM by Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney. Louis B. Mayer was very happy to have the hottest teen talent in Hollywood and made the most of this publicity opportunity. Below is a shot of Judy, Mickey, producer Mervyn LeRoy, Shirley, Marsha Hunt, and Fay Holden, on the set of “Blossoms in the Dust.” Judy was sitting in Greer Garson’s chair. I hope Greer was okay with that, as Judy does look a bit uncomfortable!



Never heard of Marsha Hunt? Sadly, that’s not surprising. Blacklisted in the 1950’s during the McCarthy era, she had to shift gears career wise and never quite recaptured her earlier fame, which is fine, as it inspired her to become more active in humanitarian causes. Marsha campaigned to end world hunger, aid the homeless, and supported same-sex marriage, among other notable causes. Shirley and Marsha had something else in common besides film careers; they have both been turned into dolls. 



In 2004, artist and creator of the Gene Marshall fashion doll, Mel Odom, worked with Ashton Drake to release this tribute to Marsha Hunt titled “Mel Loves Marsha.”



Although the doll was a restyled Gene doll, the outfit was all Marsha, based on the outfit seen in this MGM publicity shot:



Marsha had a lead role in the 1947 melodramatic film noir, “Smash-Up, the Story of a Woman,” allegedly based on Bing Crosby and his first wife, Dixie. The cat fight between Marsha and Susan Hayward is the stuff of legend.



Ashton Drake released Gene as Marsha in the “Smash-Up” outfit in 2004:



I’ll save you the trouble of hunting down the catfight scene:



Marsha began her film career at Paramount, which included a role in the Jack Benny musical, “College Holiday” (1936). One of the Edith Head outfits she wore in the film is shown here:



…and was reproduced by Integrity Toys for Gene in 2007:



While the dolls are beautiful, nothing compares to the real-life Marsha, as shown here in this 1967 photo:



What else did Marsha and Shirley have in common? The United Nations. From the Alt Film Guide website:

It was a trip she took around the world in 1955 that opened her eyes to her true calling in life. Dismayed by the poverty she saw on this trip, she realized that she’d been on a soundstage for so much of her life and that there was so much to learn about the world. She vowed in that moment to become a “planet patriot.” One of Hollywood’s first celebrity activists, Marsha worked with the United Nations Association when it wasn’t popular to do so. Even after her local United Nations gift shop was firebombed, she didn’t relent, but went out on the lecture circuit, fighting ignorance and raising awareness. She had limited funds but unlimited passion.

Shirley’s first diplomatic assignment was as U.S. delegate to the United Nations by President Richard Nixon in 1969. Shirley championed issues such as refugee rights, the challenges for the aging population, and environmental concerns. Here is Shirley with husband Charles Black seeing “his wife off to work,” as the photo’s caption stated:



Marsha Hunt recently passed away at the age of 104 on September 7. If you’d like to know more about her (and you should!), watch the trailer for the 2015 documentary about her called, “Sweet Adversity”:



See more Classic Movie & TV photos at my main website.

Temple Tuesday: The 3 R’s

Today, for Temple Tuesday, the 3 Rs stand for “Reduse, Reuse, and Recycle.” In the 1941 MGM film, “Kathleen,” Shirley Temple performed in the standard dream sequence, decked out in an ornate feathered concoction complete with headdress, necklace, and fan.







Apparently, Shirley’s mother wrangled the same deal that existed at 20th Century-Fox, where Shirley was allowed to keep her wardrobe. Seven years later at a Hollywood costume party, Shirley wore the exact same outfit. From the vintage publicity blurb that accompanied the following photo of Shirley and her then husband, John Agar:

COLONIAL PAIR that would cop the beauty prize at any show are Shirley Temple and John Agar (right). Shirley looks very much the grande dame with a white wig covering her short hair, and John in his uniform—well, handsome is the word. After appearing together in RKO’s “Baltimore Escapade,” [NOTE: retitled “Adventure in Baltimore” for release] Selznick players went their separate ways (filmwise that is): Shirley to 20th for “Mr. Belvedere Goes to College” and John into John Ford-directed movie, “She Wore a Yellow Ribbon.”





 You’ll note that except for the necklace (which MGM most likely did NOT allow her to take home!), everything is the same. The 1948 necklace came up for auction in 2016.



The photo below was accompanied by this blurb:

SHIRLEY TEMPLE dances in feathers while husband. John Agar appears in the uniform he wears in RKO’s forthcoming “Fort Apache” at a recent fancy dress party.



From the Akron Beacon Journal, Sunday November 14, 1948:

Cute Shirley Temple was just as perky in a powdered wig as with her own curly top. The handsome Yankee soldier is hubby John Agar.



Also shown in the Journal are Rock Hudson & Vera-Ellen, Don DeFore & wife, Marion, Loretta Young & Rosalind Russell (as twins!), George Jessel, Ava Gardner, and Terry Moore.

According to other coverage of the event, Shirley (dressed as Marie Antoinette) was “judged the prettiest gal there. The lensmen asked her to present a watch to General Grant (Jessel) in appreciation of swell job he did as M.C.”



Much was made about the public kiss between the married couple:



How the dress appeared when it came up for auction in 2016: 



From the catalog description:

The extraordinary multi-layered gown of soft rose features a satin-fitted bodice with elaborate center panel decorated with sequins, rhinestones and metallic braid, above a multi-layered skirt including three layers of richly gathered tulle with sequins on the top layer, rose sateen petticoat, and still more multi-layered cotton petticoats with layered skirt ruffles, all above a hooped frame with wide panniers that gives form to the skirts. Feathered corsages decorate the skirt all around, and match the feathered fan that she holds as well as her fan headdress. Included are dyed-to-match kid shoes by Capezio, decorated with faux jewels including large "rubies". The gown was worn by Shirley Temple in her role of Kathleen, in the 1941 MGM film of that name, during the fantasy scene, as Kathleen imagines she is a star on Broadway and performs a remarkable descending-the-staircase dance. Realized Price: $2,750

The headdress, fan, and shoes:



A closeup of the headdress from the 1948 costume party; it’s a match!





Many thanks to Melissa (aka “The Colonel”) for tracking down all the vintage articles for this post!

See more teen Shirley Temple photos at my main website.

Temple Tuesday: Nella and Shirley

Today’s first photo shows Mary MacLaren, Shirley, George Irving (who also played Judge Thompson in “Bright Eyes”), and Nella Walker as Mrs. John Mason, the wealthy Aunt of Shirley’s character in “Captain January” (1936). This was the first Temple film to have Nella Walker as a costar of Shirley’s.



Walker was born on March 6, 1886 in Chicago. Once a salesgirl, she started in show business as a vaudeville performer with her husband Wilbur Mack in an act called (appropriately) Mack and Walker. From a 1916 review of the act:

In “A Pair of Tickets.” This is a very cleverly written comedy skit and very well played. Lines are bright and they have two or three catchy songs, all of which got over in good shape. It is presented in a classy stage setting and deserves to take a place among the classiest acts of its kind of which vaudeville can boast. There are four persons employed in the offering of this skit. Closed very strong.

Mack dumped her and replaced her with Gertrude Purdy, both romantically and professionally. The new act was called “Mack and Purdy.” How original.

Nella continued on with show biz, making her first film in 1929 as a voice double in “Chinatown Nights,” and her first screen appearance in “Tanned Legs” the same year. She was typecast as snobbish upper-crust society matrons and known for her work in “Three Smart Girls” (1936 with Deanna Durbin). “Young Mr. Kildare” (1938 with Lionel Barrymore), and “Air Raid Wardens” (1943 with Laurel and Hardy). She stayed a busy supporting actress (always the bridesmaid!) until her final role as Humphrey Bogart’s and William Holden’s mother in “Sabrina” (1954). She died on March 22, 1971 in Los Angeles.

In Shirley’s one and only film for MGM, “Kathleen” (1941), Walker played the evil Governess Mrs. Farrell. Here, Shirley catches her snooping…again!



Shirley eventually gets the nasty witch fired. Go Shirley!



Here’s a behind-the-scenes shot of Kathleen (Shirley) returning from a visit to the paternal local antiques dealer (Felix Bressart) with nasty old Mrs. Farrell waiting at the top of the trap door to catch her.



Need a closer look? I know I do!



In 1947, Nella returned to grace a Shirley Temple movie. This time it was the Warner Brothers melodrama “That Hagen Girl.” Her role was Molly Freneau, the snobbish and gossipy mother of Shirley’s beau, played by Rory Calhoun. Here, Mrs. Freneau pays an unscheduled visit to Mary (Shirley) to inform her that the young girl isn’t fit to date her son.



Shirley arches her eyebrow and tells the old biddy to get lost. Well, not in quite those words but close.



Later on, finding out that Tom Bates (Ronald Reagan) is a hero, she and the rest of the nosey townspeople ask him to make a speech at the local graduation.



Reagan tells the old battleaxe to eat his dust. Well, not exactly in those words, but he does call her out on her hypocrisy.



Nella’s posture says it all. NOBODY played a villainess like Nella.



See more Shirley Temple photos at my main website.

Temple Tuesday: The Marx Brothers and The Big Store

Although Shirley never starred in a movie with the Marx Brothers, she was very much connected to their final MGM film, “The Big Store,” released June 20, 1941. Crooner Tony Martin played the romantic lead:

Five years previously, he had an uncredited role as The Barry Baritone in “Poor Little Rich Girl” with Shirley:

Had Shirley been in “The Wizard of Oz,” she would have co-starred with Clara Blandick (Aunt Em), who had a cameo as an elderly lady who wants to have a record made by Tony Martin. Look at the sweet smile on her face as Tony sings to her; you didn’t see that smile too much in “Oz.”

When the camera changes angles, you can see the sheet music rotating on a display behind Blandick and Virginia Grey:

The sheet music behind Grey is from “Young People”:

…and the real thing:

Over in the toy/baby department, look what’s behind Virginia O’Brien, who is singing in her usual deadpan method:

Yup, that’s a Shirley doll. The art director should have positioned the doll a little better so that she wasn’t giving a spread-eagle shot of her onesie!

In this shot from the music department, you can see the “Young People” sheet music AND music from a Judy Garland/Mickey Rooney movie (on the left side of the carousel).

A closeup:

Looks like the music was for “Nobody’s Baby” from “Andy Hardy Meets Debutante” (released July 1940):

In a very labored not-so-funny scene in the bed department of “The Big Store,” Henry Armetta runs into his old friend Chico Marx:

In “Poor Little Rich Girl,” Armetta played Tony the organ grinder with Shirley:

Eagle-eyed Shirley fans might recognize Russell Hicks on the left, who plays a wealthy businessman who wants to buy the Department Store that Margaret Dumont’s character owns:

He also played Shirley’s father in “The Blue Bird” (1940):

Never missing a chance for promotion, Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney’s “Strike Up The Band” (released September 1940) is the movie on the MGM backlot theatre marquee in this scene where Harpo and Groucho “help” Margaret Dumont out of the car:

Since Shirley was filming “Kathleen” for MGM at the time, it’s not surprising that she was sprinkled throughout this MGM released Marx film.

Phew. Did I catch all the Shirley connections in that one?

See more teen Shirley photos at my main website.