Temple Tuesday: Shirley & Cary

Shirley Temple and Cary Grant co-starred in the 1947 comedy, “The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer.” I believe this publicity shot was taken outside the Beverly Hills High School where a few of the scenes were filmed. The accompanying caption:

HOT RODSTER
Cary Grant is ridin’ the movie ranger these days in a “hot rod” with the best of the bobby-soxers. It’s the result of an involvement with co-star Shirley Temple in their new RKO Radio film, “The Bachelor And The Bobby-Soxer.”

By most accounts, Grant liked things the way he liked them, and could sometimes be difficult on set. At one point during filming, he caught Shirley doing an imitation of him for the film crew; he stalked off and complained to producer David O. Selznick, who read the actress the riot act for her unprofessional behavior.  Selznick had Shirley under contract at the time, thus his involvement. Back on the set, Shirley apologized to Grant, who graciously accepted it and replied, “By the way, it was a pretty good imitation.” Below, Grant’s character makes nice with Shirley’s boyfriend in the film, played by Johnny Sands.



Almost forty years later, Shirley appeared at a tribute to Grant staged by the Princess Grace Foundation, due to the close friendship between the Grant (who died in 1986) and Grace Kelly (who died in 1982). Proceeds from the gala event held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills went to the Princess Grace Foundation. From the LA Times on July 15, 1988, just a few months before the event:

And this fall comes a tribute to the classic and classy actor that will indeed be one of a kind—an Oct. 19 benefit at the Beverly Hilton for the Princess Grace Foundation U.S.A. Barbara Grant, widow of the actor who died in November, 1986, said that she and his daughter, Jennifer, wanted “only one special tribute to Cary, and due to his close friendship with Princess Grace and her family we decided that the proceeds from the evening should benefit the foundation named in her honor.” Although planning is just getting under way, the committee list for the black-tie gala already reads like a list of Hollywood royalty. First Lady Nancy Reagan and Barbara Grant are honorary co-chairs. Dina Merrill chairs the evening, with co-chairs Merv Griffin, Kirk Kerkorian, Veronique and Gregory Peck, Don and Judy Balaban Quine (who was a member of Princess Grace’s wedding party), Barbara and Frank Sinatra, and Lew and Edie Wasserman. In the audience: Prince Rainier, Prince Albert, Princess Stephanie and, reportedly, if her schedule can be changed, Princess Caroline. Sources say the party will be the debut of the new International Ballroom at the Beverly Hilton.

Shirley looked stunning that evening!



The Times spilled more tea on September 14, 1988:

When is a $1,000-a-person benefit ticket worth the price? Try Oct. 19, when the special gala tribute to Cary Grant, benefiting the Princess Grace Foundation U.S.A., brings together the princely family of Monaco with just about every royal persona Hollywood can muster. This evening is unique in many ways--it will be the only tribute Grant’s widow, Barbara, is permitting for the late, beloved actor. And, because there was only one Cary Grant, the evening will have an extraordinary retinue of stars up on stage: James Stewart, Gregory Peck, Frank Sinatra, Walter Matthau, Roger Moore, Shirley Temple Black, Robert Wagner, Warren Beatty, benefit chair Dina Merrill, Eva Marie Saint, Quincy Jones, Robert Mitchum, John Forsythe, Dean Martin, Michael Caine and, performing, Liza Minnelli, Sammy Davis Jr. and Henry Mancini, all in a production designed by Jack Haley Jr. and emceed by Merv Griffin highlighting Grant’s films.



In the front row are Frank Sinatra, Merv Griffin, Robert Wagner, Prince Albert II, Princess Stéphanie, Prince Rainier III, and Henry Mancini. Back row: Michael Caine, Eva Marie Saint, Gregory Peck, Barbara Grant, Unknown, Liza Minnelli, Dina Merrill, and Roger Moore. What a lineup!!

UPI had this to say after the event:

European royalty mingled with Hollywood royalty in tribute to the late sultan of suave, Cary Grant. The Wednesday night gala benefited the Princess Grace Foundation-U.S.A. and Prince Rainier of Monaco and two of his offspring, Princess Stephanie and Prince Albert, attended the black-tie banquet at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Frank Sinatra, Michael Caine, Gregory Peck, Eva Marie Saint, Robert Wagner, Roger Moore and Dean Martin were on hand to swap memories of Grant. The entertainment was provided by Sammy Davis Jr. and Liza Minnelli and Merv Griffin, who owns the hotel, was master of ceremonies. Film clips from Grant's long career were shown in addition to taped tributes sent in by President Reagan, Sophia Loren, Walter Matthau and others. The Princess Grace Foundation-U.S.A. raises funds to help aspiring artists in theatre, dance, and film.

Milton Berle puts the moves on Liza and Shirley, with Jack Haley, Jr. on the right (Liza’s husband at the time) and Eva Marie Saint in the background.



I wonder if Shirley did her Grant imitation? I sure would have loved to have seen that! BTW: Shirley seemed even less interested in Berle one year later, when he attempted to have his photo taken with her again. Give it up, Miltie! Actor Stewart Granger is on the right.



See more Shirley Temple photos at my main website.

Temple Tuesday: Shirley at the Swim Gym

In the 1947 RKO comedy, “The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer,” Beverly Hills High School was transformed into Sunset High School.



A pivotal scene takes place in the auditorium.



Cary Grant plays Richard Nugent, an artist and playboy, who seems to attract trouble with the ladies. As he gives a speech to the student body, man-crazy teenager Susan Turner (Shirley Temple) is mesmerized.



Right before her eyes, he magically transforms into a Knight in Shining Armor.



After his speech, Susan makes a beeline to Richard and interviews him for the school newspaper. In reality, she is just attempting to find out if he is single and interested in her.



After the interview, an uncomfortable Nugent says goodbye and hurriedly walks away from the persistent teenager.



Once again, the transformation occurs and he becomes a Knight to the adoring teen.



Not sure if that’s actually Cary in the suit? Here you go…



Although this young girl isn’t Shirley, she seems to be just as mesmerized. Cary had that effect on people!



Another scene in the movie takes place in the Beverly Hills High School Swim Gym, which was also used in “It’s A Wonderful Life” (covered in this post).



Nugent is forced to “date” Susan via her sister Margaret, a judge. Advised by Uncle Matt that the crush will only get worse if Margaret forbids it, the reluctant Susan decides to let the two hang out until Susan gets bored by Richard. Here, the couple attend a basketball game at the Swim Gym.





Some more views of the gym:



I was hoping I might have caught a production gaffe with the clock, but no such luck. They renamed Beverly Hills for Sunset, just as they should have for the movie.



The Swim-Gym is still alive and well today:







There are no interior shots as there is a large fence all the way around the high school. There appears to be a major overhaul of BHHS going on; I am hoping that the original main building (shown in the movie) survives, but it is hard to tell. I will need to go back!

See more Shirley and “Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer” photos at my main website.

Temple Tuesday: Bachelors, Bobby-Soxers, and Buttons

Today we take a step back in time to visit the Long Beach airport which was featured prominently at the climax of Shirley Temple’s 1947 comedy, “The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer.”

Aviator Earl Daugherty opened a 20 acre field for his flight training school in Long Beach, California on June 6, 1919. A year later, the city contacted Daugherty about developing a 60 acre municipal flying field; the “new” Long Beach Airport (named after Daugherty) was dedicated on December 20, 1924. An additional 255 acres was purchased in 1939 for a new administrative building with the dedication held on June 8, 1941. Architects W. Horace Austin and Kenneth S. Wing. Sr. designed the Streamline Moderne structure which can be seen at the end of the film as Cary Grant’s character pulls up to the airport on his way to Chicago.

 

His driver is none other than Dore Schary, the producer of the film:

Here, Cary Grant and Myrna Loy exchange a bit of banter before they board the plane and depart to their “happily every after” romantic conclusion:

I love the way the two dash off to the entry stairs:

Here’s a vintage shot from the 1950’s showing the airport in color:

The building was named a City of Long Beach Cultural Heritage Landmark in 1990. At some point, the Daugherty Field name was ditched; I couldn’t find out why during my quick search on the www. Here’s the airport looks now. The sign as you approach the terminal (who put that cotton-picking traffic light in front of the sign?!?):

And the terminal building in all its streamline moderne glory:

You almost expect to see Cary and Dory pulling up to the curb:

I’ve never been inside so I don’t know if any of the original WPA tile murals still exist. That will have to be another trip (and post).

In other Shirley news, Melissa (aka “The Colonel”) gave me the opportunity to do the design for the annual Shirley’s Army pin. For the fifth anniversary, I decided to use a portrait of Shirley from her last film at 20th-Century Fox, “Young People” (1940). Here’s the final design:

See more Long Beach, California photos at my main website.

Temple Tuesday: Thank you for the use of the Hall

Poor little Shirley seemed to be a staple of the court system throughout her childhood film career! Her characters were often found charming a judge into helping her get the right adoptive family (as in 1934’s “Bright Eyes” above). Sometimes, Shirley was able to plead her case to the highest authority in the country, as she did with Abraham Lincoln (perfectly portrayed by Frank McGlynn Sr.) in 1935’s “The Littlest Rebel,” shown below. Of course he kept her on-screen father from the gallows!

In 1936’s “Stowaway,” Shirley lands in jail with co-star Robert Young who accidentally grabbed the hand of the wrong child, thinking it was Shirley. Don’t worry — they were bailed out quickly.

In the same film, Shirley’s expert (albeit coached) testimony helped keep adoptive parents (Alice Faye and Robert Young) from getting a divorce just in time for a Christmas celebration.

In “Heidi” (1937), Shirley is able to keep her grandfather (Jean Hersholt) from being locked away for kidnapping by namedropping “Herr Sessemann,” who just happened to be the wealthiest guy in town.

Shirley got creative in court in “Little Miss Broadway” (1938) by presenting a complete Broadway show as evidence to help keep her father from being evicted from the hotel that he ran.

Even in her adult career, Shirley’s characters sometimes ran afoul of the law. In “Honeymoon” (1947), an underage Shirley has trouble getting a marriage license in Mexico. Ick.

Although Shirley doesn’t appear in court in “The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer” (1947), her sister plays a judge. Thanks to that crucial family connection, Shirley’s underage attempt to romance an older man (Cary Grant) is kept out of the judicial system!

Finally, in “Adventure in Baltimore” (1949), Shirley lands in the klink for being part of a women’s rights protest. Father (Robert Young) has to bail her and the rest of the family out of jail.

Fortunately in real life, Shirley stayed on the right side of the law!

See more Shirley Temple photos at my main website.

Shirley and the Columnist

This autographed photo of Shirley Temple was taken during filming of "The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer" in 1947. The inscription is made out to Jack Hirshberg, a famous Hollywood publicist. He worked on such films as "The Ten Commandments," "Some Like It Hot," "Play It Again, Sam," "All the President's Men," and "Ordinary People." He also represented Frank Sinatra, Jack Benny, Gary Cooper, Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Martin & Lewis, and Cecil B. DeMille; not too shabby!

More Shirley Temple photos at my main website.

No Wet Hair For Shirley

Because of a post I had done previously on Shirley Temple's stand-in, Mary Lou Isleib, I was contacted by Amy D. about her connection to Mary Lou. Amy was kind enough to send along a family photo shot in 1934. As she recalls:

Here's the story behind the picture: in those years the Temples and the Isleibs rented houses on Balboa Island. Sometimes my parents also rented for one week, encouraged by the Isleibs who were neighbors of ours in Glendale. I believe this photo was taken on a Sunday because my brother, Tom Anderson, who was a student at Cal Tech, was there for the weekend and he took the picture you see below.



We three little girls were playing in the water when Mrs. Temple called Shirley to get out because she was getting her hair wet. We all came up on the beach trying to persuade Shirley's mother to let her stay in. After Tom took the picture...as I heard my mother telling the story over and over to all her friends, "Shirley put on her famous pout, stamped her little foot and said 'When I'm grown up and my own boss, I'll go in the water and get my hair wet whenever I want.'"

[Note: Shirley's movie "The Little Colonel" with Lionel Barrymore has a few great examples of her stomping her foot!]



By the way, I was amused by the article that told about Mary Lou's mother putting her hair up in pin curls every night. What a pain that was. I remember it very well. Also, her hair wasn't naturally blond and my mother was scandalized that they bleached it!

My contacts with Shirley over the years were limited to the occasions when my status as Mary Lou's best Glendale friend overlapped with her contacts with Shirley, the rare times for example when the Temples came to Glendale to visit. After Harry Isleib died, his widow, Aileen, and Mary Lou moved to Santa Monica. Mary Lou's brother, Harry Jr., must have been married by then.



The last times I saw Shirley were in connection with Mary Lou's wedding. Shirley and I were the bridesmaids. Mary Lou's sister-in-law was Matron of Honor. I was a student at UCLA and living in Westwood. There were several showers including one held at the house where Shirley and John Agar were living. It was the cottage that had been built on the Temple's property in Brentwood. It had been Shirley's playhouse and converted to a newlywed cottage for their brief marriage. I met John Agar at the rehearsal dinner.



Strangely I lost touch with Mary Lou after I was married and moved out of California for a while. We met again when my husband and I resumed the Balboa Island tradition with our own family, but regrettably I lost touch again. The only other time I saw Shirley was when she wrote her autobiography Child Star in 1989 and I went to a book signing in San Francisco (I have lived in the Bay Area 60+ years). I showed her the picture and she told me that she had just seen Mary Lou the week before. So that tells me they continued their friendship, probably for a lifetime.



I tried to call Mary Lou several years ago after finding her number on the Internet but it had been disconnected. In recent years I thought about trying to contact Shirley to find out if Mary Lou was still alive but never followed through. That was the first thing I thought of when I heard this morning that Shirley had died.

I had written to Amy that I always felt bad about Mary Lou's younger life being spent in the shadow of Shirley. Here's her response about that:

I don't think you need to feel bad for Mary Lou. Her life was surely changed by that connection but because the Temples were fairly level headed and mostly avoided the ugly side of Hollywood life, I think it was changed for the better.

I was disappointed to learn in later years that there had been a conflict about Shirley's money [Note: Shirley revealed in her autobiography that through poor investments by her father, most of her money earned as a child was gone]. Though it was meaningless to me at the time, I do remember hearing my parents talking about the huge sums the Temples were putting away for Shirley's future. Guess that didn't work out as planned, but probably better in the long run. But I do think that the relatively small amount that Mary Lou was making probably made a difference in that family. Considering the times, none of our families were suffering. Before her success, Shirley's family lived in Santa Monica, while Mary Lou and I lived in a nice neighborhood in Glendale (the Isleibs were across the street from Harry's parents.)

Even the remote and tenuous connection I had enriched my life in little and unexpected ways as was the case yesterday, when Shirley's death coincided with my 86th birthday and sparked a minor explosion on my Facebook page on what would have been a lonely and boring day because of a nasty cold.




How fantastic to have those intimate memories shared with us. Thanks so much, Amy!

See more Shirley Temple Black photos on my Shirley web page.