Temple Tuesday: Shirley at Mount Vernon

Here’s a 1938 shot of Shirley on the lawn of George Washington’s home Mount Vernon, located in Alexandria, Virginia. Holding the camera at left is her publicity agent, Wendell “Doc” Bishop. As Shirley expert supreme, Rita Dubas, relayed in her book Shirley Temple: A Pictorial History of the World's Greatest Child Star:

[He] acted as press protector, buddy, and often personal assistant. His job was not only to garner media exposure for his star, but to make sure she was content on the set and off—which often meant that he would find himself involved in a game of “Squares,” or acting as Deputy to Shirley’s Texas Ranger.

What was Shirley doing at Mount Vernon? She was enjoying a trek across America during her summer vacation. To round out the post, here are a few vintage shots of Mount Vernon from the 1950s:







This photo of Shirley on the set of “Just Around the Corner” shows her wearing the same dress/jumper combo:



Shirley’s trip was big news; in fact it even made the cover of LIFE magazine!



Here’s the original shot used on the cover, taken at a wheat field in Junction City, Kansas:



See more Mount Vernon photos at my main website.

Southwest Airlines: A Customer Service Report Card

I was excited to travel back from my business meeting in Tennessee last week. I had a direct flight and would be back by 9:30am, giving me plenty of time to recoup from the trip and spend time with my dog who had to be boarded while I was gone. It was all worth getting up at 3:45am to get to the Nashville airport in time to make my 6:40am flight. I always look forward to flying into San Diego and looking over the familiar red tile roofs and the city’s gem, Balboa Park.

Arriving at the airport by 5am, I went to the Southwest Airlines check-in kiosk, typed in my confirmation number, then received a disturbing message:

“Your flight has been canceled.”

Not “delayed” or “changed,” but CANCELED. I was directed to see a flight agent. Naturally, the line was long with other travelers who had experienced the same thing. At least four of the people in line ahead of me were going to San Diego, too, and like me had received NO NOTICE.

By the time I got to the friendly (but slow) agent, most of the flights for the day had been filled. In fact, while she was apologizing for the “mechanical problem,” she kept saying, “Oh....that one just filled, too.” Please Lady....less talking, more booking. My offered alternative was a flight at 2:30pm that would get me into San Diego around 9pm. She assured me that was my only option, and sent me on my way, after letting me know I couldn’t drop my baggage off until 4 hours before my flight and no offer of anything else.

I was in a fog. 9 hours to kill in an airport where I was stuck with my luggage. A nearby agent suggested I call customer service. While on hold, I also walked over to Delta to see if they had any flights. 20 minutes later, customer service informed me I could fill out a complaint online. Delta had even less good news...nothing that would really offer me a significant time savings.

I went to the airport lounge and tried to sleep, but was too annoyed to close my eyes. After about an hour, I went back to the agent line and found one that was much more direct...AND helpful. The offer was a direct flight to San Diego that would get me in 3 hours earlier. The catch: it would touch down in Denver, Albuquerque, and Las Vegas first. I'LL TAKE IT!

I checked my luggage in and went to the gate. Meanwhile, I decided to tweet about my frustration. I quickly received a canned apology from Southwest:



Of course I complied with the request to take this conversation offline to get some form of compensation.



How would I rate Southwest after this experience? I’d give them a B-, which is not awful. Let’s face it, mechanical problems and errors can (and have) happened on every single airline. I understand that. The big error: Southwest canceling my flight WITHOUT notice or rebooking me immediately on another flight. That left me in the lurch with an alternative that cost me an entire day.

On the plus side, they did offer an immediate response to my tweet and with a little prodding, also gave me a $100 voucher. Not the amount I would have wanted, but it would definitely come close to covering a one-way flight at a later date. I was proud of myself for keeping my cool and not losing my s&*t; experience has taught me that you get much further when you express the issues and not the emotion.

Let’s get back to the pretty landing pictures, shall we?







Look at this shot from 2015:



and the matching one from this trip. You can see that the abundance of rain this season has had a marked effect on greening San Diego!



I hope your travels are much more pleasant than this particular one!

NOTE: To all you spammers attempting to post links to your websites in the comments, save yourself the trouble. They will be deleted immediately!

See more photos at my main website.

1977 Storybook Land

Care to join me on a vintage ride through Disneyland’s Storybook Land, circa October 1977? Our first stop in the journey is Mole End/Ratty's House.

For guests, the Cinderella tableau seems to have been the most popular spot.



I get blown away by the tiny details that most guests never see, yet the Imagineers took the time to put them there. Doorways, windows, chimneys, the stonework...



The modest Tremaine home:



Gotta’ have a closeup, because I know you want to see their mailbox:



Last one of the bunch shows Gepetto’s Village. If only it were a bit lighter I could have gotten some really great detail shots out of this one!



See more Disneyland Storybook Land photos at my main website.

Temple Tuesday: Shirley’s Favorite

Today’s post celebrates “Wee Willie Winkie,” the movie Shirley Temple herself said was her very favorite childhood movie to make. She remembered that most of all she wanted director John Ford to not just like her, but respect her as a professional.

“[He] made no bones about his indifference toward me, saying, “Working with a child star is a most horrible thing.” Mutual cooperation between us was paramount if I were to do a good job, but I also simply wanted Ford to respect me as a professional and like me as a person.…Halfway through the film several things happened which did seem to catch Ford’s attention.…He asked me directly if I was ready to do a particularly hazardous scene myself or if I preferred a double. The action called for me to flee across a dirt trail and climb quickly to safety on a rocky island directly in the path of a herd of several dozen stampeding horses erupting from the Khyber Pass. Doubles always were an unwelcome thought, their presence connoting professional inadequacy. But additionally, danger was appealing. Imminence of peril does wonders to concentrate the senses. Without split-second timing and sure feet, I knew I could easily be a victim. There lay the attraction.…On Ford’s signal I bolted across the path and leaped up among the boulders just as the stampede of wild horses plot and thundered by me on both sides in a swirl of snorting and pounding hooves. From my rocky perch I looked through the dust and across at Ford. I could see he was smiling, finger and thumb circled in the traditional gesture of approval.”

Another convert to the Temple of Shirley.

Here’s the publicity still blurb from this photo:

READY FOR ACTION — Shirley Temple, star of 20th Century-Fox’s “Wee Willie Winkie” awaits the cry for “Action” with a backward glance at the camera, in the foreground. To the right are Pat Somerset and Gavin Muir, who have the roles of Highlander officers in “Wee Willie Winkie.”



The outfit Shirley wore in this scene was part of the 2015 “Love, Shirley Temple” auction:



From the Theriault’s catalog:

SILK DRESS AND PINAFORE WORN BY SHIRLEY TEMPLE IN THE 1937 FILM "WEE WILLIE WINKIE"

Featuring a fine loosely woven tussah silk dress with fitted bodice, set-in waist and yoke, widely flared skirt, pouffed sleeves and unusual matching trim of layered scallops at the collar, sleevelets, and hem, with bands of alternating lace and dimity. Included with the dress is a flowered cotton pinafore with ruffles and pockets which Shirley sometimes wore with the dress, an original petticoat, and a wooden-handled parasol with owl's head carved handle tip. Generally excellent condition, some fabric darkening around the shoulders. The petticoat has the original studio label "8210 Shirley T". Various parasols were used by Priscilla (Shirley) in the film, of which this appears to be one. Two vintage photographs of Shirley wearing the costume are included. The costume, with and without the pinafore, was worn by Shirley Temple in her role of Priscilla Williams in the 1937 film "Wee Willie Winkie", notably in an early scene with Victor McLaglen (Sergeant MacDuff) when she asks "Who ever heard of a soldier named Priscilla?" MacDuff then proclaims her new name will be Wee Willie Winkie and she is now "a full-fledged soldier of the Queen".

Realized Price: $6,250 • Presale Estimate: 5000+

This still from the movie shows Shirley marching, which was one of her favorite parts of making this film:



From the publicity blurb:

MAKING A SOLDIER out of Shirley Temple is Victor McLaglen’s job in this scene from “Wee Willie Winkie.”



This elaborate costume also made it’s way to the Theriault’s auction:

SHIRLEY TEMPLE SCOTTISH REGIMENTAL COSTUME FROM THE 1937 FILM "WEE WILLIE WINKIE"

The costume includes plaid woolen kilt, twill jacket with ornate brass buttons with royal crest design of the Black Watch, Third Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland, white leather belt with emblem "Dieu et mon droit" (God and my right), sporran, argyle plaid wool leggings, woven spats with buttons, and cap with Latin motto emblem of the Royal Stuart dynasty of Scotland (translated "no one attacks me with impunity"). Excellent condition. Included are two vintage photographs of Shirley Temple wearing the costume. The young star Shirley Temple, named Priscilla Williams in the 1937 film, wore this uniform in multiple scenes alongside co-star Sergeant MacDuff (Victor McLaglen) as he trains Priscilla in the proper discipline of a Scottish soldier. The costume designer for the film was Gwen Wakeling. In later years, Shirley Temple declared that "Wee Willie Winkie", which had been directed by John Ford, was her favorite film of all that she made.

Realized Price: $14,000 • Presale Estimate: 20,000+

I think this photo bears out the fact that Shirley won Ford over:



See more Shirley Temple photos at my main website.

Abe and the Patriotic Sunset

When it comes to patriotism, Walt sure knew how to bludgeon guests over the head with it. This October 1977 shot shows the big wow finish to the Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln show at the Main Street Opera House.

Flash forward to my last visit, the sunset flag image still wows them!



Abe just sits there, soaking it all in, waiting for the applause.



See more Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln photos at my main website.

The Original Mr. Toad Mural

I am slightly obsessed with the original murals of the Fantasyland dark rides at Disneyland, so I was slightly excited to acquire a “new” vintage shot showing a portion of the one from Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, circa 1956.



Artist Kurt Raymond painted a very close approximation of the original mural and sold prints of it. Here’s a shot of him from the Mousewait website showing off his work:



Here’s a shot of the mural that now graces the queue, created when the attraction was completely redone in 1983:



Apparently the Disney Gallery sold re-creations of this mural back in the 1990’s. The Van Eaton Gallery Auction in November 2015 included one for sale:

(Disney Gallery, 1990s) Mr. Toad's Wild Ride mural lithograph produced in an edition of 150 pieces, Numbered 22/150, and measuring16"x23". In very good condition. Estimated: $300-500



See more Disneyland Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride attraction photos at my main website.

Temple Tuesday: Book Smart

Here’s a December 1935 shot of Shirley with her two older brothers, taken at the Temple home, located at 259 19th Street in Santa Monica. Want to buy this place? Sorry, it’s not for sale. According to Redfin, it was last purchased in 1973 for $122,500. What is this 4 bedroom/3 bath home valued at now? Would you believe over $4 million? Yowza.

Back to the topic! Here’s the accompanying publicity blurb for this photo:

Shirley’s adoring brothers — Jack, the tall one is a junior at Stanford, George (Sonny to the family) is a student at the New Mexico Military Academy. No poor little rich girl here!

In case you’re wondering (or want to enroll!), the New Mexico Military Institute is still around. But I digress once again. Want a closer look at the books on the Temple shelves? I know I do! What did the family read? Thanks to my good friend Melissa, aka “The Colonel,” I have a comprehensive list of most of the titles in the photo.

High Noon, Beau Geste, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Kept Woman, Stories from Uncle Remus, National Geographic, and Stories of Farmyard Animals!



Some of the more interesting titles on the top shelf include:

The Shepherd of the Hills: 1907 by Harold Bell Wright. Mostly fictional story of Ozark mountain folklore and forgiveness. Made into a film in 1941 with John Wayne and Harry Carey

The Trail of the Lonesome Pine: 1908 by John Fox, Jr. Romance novel/western set in the Appalachian Mountains. Film version in 1936 directed by Henry Hathaway starring Henry Fonda and Sylvia Sidney.

Beau Geste: 1924 by P.C. Wren. Story of three English brothers who enlist separately in the French Foreign Legion after the theft of a valuable jewel from the country house of a relative. Made into a film in 1939 starring Gary Cooper, Ray Milland, Susan Hayward.

Beau Sabreur: one of two sequels to Beau Geste.

The Chinese Parrot: 1926 – second novel in the Charlie Chan mystery series by Earl Derr Biggers. A silent film was made in 1927, now considered lost, starring Hobart Bosworth (Captain January in Baby Peggy’s version) and Marian Nixon. Also featured Slim Summerville, Shirley’s “Captain January” costar.

On the next shelf:

Seed, A Novel of Birth Control: 1930 by Charles Norris. 1931 film version which premiered at Carthay Circle. Starred John Boles, Lois Wilson, ZaSu Pitts, and Dickie Moore. This one had to be filmed Pre-Code Hollywood!

The Cruise of the Snark: 1911 by Jack London. Nonfiction title of London’s sailing adventure in 1907 across the South Pacific in his ketch.

The Galaxy: by Susan Ertz. Also known as The Milky way, 1929 Best seller that year.

House of a Thousand Candles: Meredith Nicholson. A wealthy and eccentric old man dies in Vermont. His fortune is said to be hidden in the house.

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer: by Mark Twain, 1876. 1938 film version produced by David O. Selznick. Marcia Mae Jones (Shirley’s costar in “Heidi” and “The Little Princess”) had a role, as did Victor Jory (“Susannah of the Mounties”) and Donald Meek (“Little Miss Broadway”).

The bottom shelf looks like that might be where the Temple family kept the kiddie books (including Stories from Uncle Remus and Stories of Farmyard Animals) and the National Geographics...as well as a cigar box. Wonder what was inside? The very top book on the kiddie shelf looks like Mother Goose, judging by the cover art.

There are also a few decorative leaves on one of the shelves. They appear too stiff to be the real thing. Coasters? Bookmarks? You be the judge!

See more Shirley Temple photos at my main website.

Back to the Salton Sea

An entire season of rain makes the deserted Salton Sea a bit greener, but it’s not going to convert it back into the glorious resort for the jet set that it once was.



Dead fish, the odor of death, and salty white beaches do not a resort make.



This art installation drew visitors in. However, the sludgy beach front was enough to keep me at a distance.



Religious graffiti on the abandoned structures:



Wise words in this time of anger:



If you have to have concrete blocks, why not make them interesting? Here’s to mid-century style!



The abandoned gas station I’d used in my photo shoot two years ago was draped in fabric.





You just never know what you’re going to see at the Salton Sea.



See more Salton Sea photos at my main website.

Growing up in Disneyland

Those of you who have followed this blog for awhile are aware of Don DeFore’s Silver Banjo BBQ, that tasty restaurant once located in Disneyland’s Frontierland where the River Belle Terrace currently resides. You have probably also seen that I know Don DeFore’s sons Ron and Dave, who through the years have graciously supplied information and photos from their Dad’s collection. Ron recently informed me that he has finished a book detailing his Dad’s career as well as a lot of interesting information about his own life and what it was like to have complete access to Disneyland in the early years. Ron was kind enough to answer a few questions for me about his upcoming book:



Were there any interesting people that you interviewed for the book?

My book, “Growing up in Disneyland” is a combination biography of my Dad and autobiography of my wild life growing up in a celebrity family, and, of course, Disneyland. So there wasn’t really a need to interview a lot of people. I did, however, lean heavily on brother Dave for his historical perspective. He did a great job filling in some memories as he’s five years older. He also did a thorough edit of the manuscript two times through. And as for the early years of Dad’s career, this book includes much of his unpublished autobiography, “Hollywood–DeFore ‘n’ After.” This is obviously the most appealing aspect of the book as it will include never-before read episodes of his career told in his own words. It, of course, includes how he met Walt Disney, how we got to ride in the opening day parade, and what led up to his own restaurant in Frontierland, Don DeFore’s Silver Banjo Barbecue. Dave Smith, Disney’s former Archivist, provided a great blurb for the back of the book that verifies Dad’s relationship with Walt as he was the only person allowed to display his name in the Park.

Although not an interview per se, I did have a great meeting with Sam Nelson (Ricky’s youngest son) and discussed much of the “Ozzie and Harriet” show and Dad’s role as their next-door-neighbor, “Thorny.”

Did you learn anything unexpected or new about your father?

I don’t know where to begin on answering this question. I’ve told several people that I learned more about Dad’s life and career than I had ever known while researching and writing this book. I spent months reading through his manuscript several times. I had never read it in its entirety before. That may sound odd, but I had heard enough of the stories from him directly that I never before had the drive to read it. Dave and I did some minor editing to tighten up the sections I wanted to include but there’s much I didn’t use and that was stuff that didn’t pertain to his career or our family. I believe the book will have great appeal to folks that remember his works, Disney enthusiasts, and others that may find it interesting to read about life growing up in “Hollywood” in the 50s and 60s, and of course my life dealing with things in Washington, D.C. later in my career. For those folks it will be a very entertaining “page-turner.”

I am assuming there are photos in this book; were you able to uncover any rare or new (to you) images?

The book contains nearly 100 photos and other graphics. I found several photos that will be new to those that follow our presentations and/or my Don DeFore Fan Club Facebook page. I did not find anything new related to the Silver Banjo. However, for the first time, I will be publishing photos of “The Plaque” and us Frontierland Banditos (but you all remain unnamed!). I also include a photo that I never even showed my business partners until just before I retired: me as the “Flying DJ” at Dillon’s Discotheque in Los Angeles that provides quite a contrast to my later career as a Reagan Appointee!

Your Dad is known for “Hazel.” What do you think he would most have liked to be remembered for professionally? And personally?

I believe he was most proud of his family and that he was able to give us five kids such a wonderful upbringing. He was very conservative and was able to imbue us with many of those same values which I talk about in my book. Many of the kids of the famous that I grew up with were very spoiled, many died young, and many never left their parents’ homes. Professionally, Dad had many productions and characters that he was proud of, but as I emphasize in the book, perhaps his greatest contribution to entertainment history was when he was President of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in 1954 and 1955. His first year he did what several others before him were unable to do: he sold the first live national broadcast of the Emmy Awards to NBC. That accomplishment is also what led to Walt Disney wanting to meet the guy that was able to make that happen.



Do you have a favorite memory of your time "growing up at Disneyland"?

There are so many great memories of growing up in the Park it’s hard to choose the absolute best. One at the top of the list is a story I tell in the book about how my sister Dawn and I got to ride in the Christmas parade with Walt in a horse drawn carriage because his grandchildren were late and as Walt said, “I can’t go through the parade without any kids by my side!” Other great moments were when I brought a friend. I loved showing off all the things we were allowed to do: use my Dad’s employee pass to get on rides for free…and stay on as long as we wanted! We’d use all the employee back entrances, stay on Tom Sawyer’s Island for hours playing hide and seek. And, of course, the favorite of those to whom we’ve given your presentation: sneaking in the bushes of the Jungle Cruise Ride among the animatronics and pretending to be monkeys as a boat went by! We also loved it when we’d get a call at the restaurant requesting a few kids to test out a new ride.

“Growing up in Disneyland” is a book for all ages whether you’re interested in Don DeFore’s career and life, Disneyland history, life in a celebrity family, and my twenty careers from the Steve Allen Show, to Paramount Television, to several positions in the Reagan Administration, to forming a multi-million dollar PR firm in the nation’s capital. It’s been a life similar to that of Forest Gump: brushing up against historic events and people throughout my life like getting to meet the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, and being Mike Love’s PR guy for a day at the Live Aid Concert. It will be published July 15, 2019 by Waldorf Publishing and is available for pre-order now. Need more Don DeFore? How about joining the Don DeFore Fan Club Facebook page?

HUGE thanks to Ron DeFore for taking the time to share this information about his upcoming book. More details here as it gets closer to being released.

See more Don DeFore/Silver Banjo BBQ photos at my main website.