Unseen Images Of Shirley Temple Over The Years
By Carole
6 months ago
1. Shirley Temple 1928 - a star is born...
Image source: Getty Images
Shirley Temple was born in Santa Monica, California in 1928. She was the youngest of three kids and her mom looked after her and her siblings whilst her father worked as a banker, a good job back in the day. From the time Shirley could talk, she was singing in perfect tune!2. Age 4 - Shirley Temple gets her big break...
Image source: Getty Images
At the age of just 4, Shirley was cast in a series of low budget movies called "Baby Burlesks." Everyone was amazed at how quickly she learned her lines and how naturally she delivered them. Miss Temple shared stories in her memoir about how badly treated she was on the film set.3. Age 5 - does Shirley already have a boyfriend?
Image source: Getty images
Even at such a young age, Shirley's confidence and ability to share the stage with anyone was as clear as day. As she turned 5 years old, there were already rumbles in Hollywood about the star she was destined to become. In this image we see her with another child star, Baby LeRoy.4. Age 6 - hope she can write her name on the contract...
Image source: Getty images
Following Shirley's exposure in the "Baby Burlesks", this led to 20th Century Fox being very excited to sign her up on a 7 year contract. This was unheard of for such a young talent but they were convinced that 6 year old Shirley had what it took to win over all film goers.5. Age 7 - Little Miss Miracle...
Image source: Getty images
As America was in the midst of the Great Depression, Shirley boosted the country's morale and President Roosevelt even named her "Little Miss Roosevelt." By 1935, aged 7, Shirley Temple had become the biggest film star in the States. That year she starred in "Curly Top" and "The Littlest Rebel" which were huge hits.6. Age 7 - Playing with Charlie Chaplin's kids...
Image source: Getty images
During the 1930s, Shirley's childhood consisted of vacationing with the kids of Hollywood greats. Here we see her posing and looking ridiculously cute at Charlie Chaplin's Palm Springs home. She visited often to play with his two sons, Charles Jr. and Sydney Chaplin.7. Age 7 - youngest star to get an award
Image source: Getty images
In 1935, 7 year old Shirley became the youngest ever recipient of an honorary colonel title which she received from the American Legion. As you can see, she looked so cute as she wore her very best military outfit and she's as pleased as punch to have the medal pinned on her little coat!8. Age 10 - another smash hit...
Image source: Getty images
By the age of 10, Shirley Temple was already a seasoned performer and as 20th Century Fox predicted, all her movies became box office hits. They were a great distraction to the dismal times of the 1930s. One of her most well known films, "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm" was released in 1938 and it was a huge success.9. Age 12 - already a movie star...
Image source: Getty images
By the age of 12, Shirley was a bona fide film star as the darling of Hollywood. He had already starred in a massive 40 movies and there was no stopping her! Would she become burned out at an early age or be able to carry on a successful career as she got older?10. Age 12 - a milkshake break...
Image source: Getty images
During the 1930s, Deanna Durbin, a Canadian soprano singer and actress, took the lead role in "Spring Parade". Shirley Temple played alongside her and the two of them hit it off instantly, even though Deanna was 7 years older than her. Between takes, we see them enjoying a milkshake with not a care in the world!11. Age 14 - dropped by 20th Century Fox...
Image source: Getty images
In 1940, after much deliberation, 20th Century Fox decided not to renew Shirley's contract. Now she was a teenager, they weren't sure that she would be as popular as the cute kid she portrayed. At age 14, Temple started to attend school in Los Angeles and worked on a film called "Miss Annie Rooney."12. Age 16 - Shirley's first adult role...
Image source: Getty images
As Shirley Temple turned sweet sixteen, she started to be recognised as a great actress in her own right without the tag and pressure of being a child star. This image shows her in a gritty role opposite Jennifer Jones. It was called "Since You Went Away" and depicted American home life during the Second World War.13. Age 16 - a sky high achievement...
Image source: Getty images
Shirley threw her support into helping the war effort and her commitment was rewarded in 1944 when a U.S. Army C-54 Skymaster transport plane was painted in her name to honor her efforts. She is photographed proudly and glamorously standing by the aircraft at the Douglas plant in Santa Monica.14. Age 17 - and it's official...
Image source: Getty images
In 1945, 17 year old Shirley Temple announced her engagement to Sergeant Jack Agar. The couple had met 2 years earlier when she was only 15 and had become smitten with each other but waited until she turned 17 to announce their impending nuptials. It made headline news!15. Age 17 - the young bride walks down the aisle...
Image source: Getty images
At their wedding at the Wilshire Methodist Church in Los Angeles, over 500 guests celebrated with the happy couple. The reception was held at Shirley's vast home on September 9, 1945. They kept their honeymoon plans a secret to keep the hungry press at bay.16. Age 19 - starring alongside Cary Grant...
Image source: Getty images
Shirley struck gold when she landed the starring role in "The Batchelor and the Bobby-Soxer." Her co-star was no other than the great Cary Grant and the movie gained critical acclaim. Audiences were now getting used to seeing Miss Temple taking on adult roles on the big screen and she didn't disappoint.17. Age 20 - the child star has her own baby...
Image source: Getty images
At the age of 20, Shirley and husband John welcomed their first child. Linda Susan Agar made her way into the world on January 30, 1948 and the couple were besotted with their first born. Of course, it made headline news. The darling of the big screen now had her own little darling!18. Age 21 - starring alongside her husband...
Image source: Getty images
During their marriage Shirley and husband John starred in a few movies together. They even played a married couple in "Adventure in Baltimore." Each one of the films were box office hits and the obvious chemistry between the couple complimented their performances.19. Age 21 - the marriage breaks down...
Image source: Getty images
All seemed rosy on the outside as Shirley Temple continued to wow audiences with her performances and her happy home life. That wasn't the case though as, after 4 years of marriage the couple's relationship faltered, so much so that they divorced in 1949. After four years of marriage, Shirley's relationship with John began to hit the rocks. The couple divorced in 1949.20. Age 22 - Shirley wastes no time moving on...
Image source: Getty images
Shirley didn't let the grass grow under the feet following her divorce. Barely a year later, she walked down the aisle with Charles Alden Black, a Californian businessman. The actress even changed her surname to that of her new husband. Deep in wedded bliss, Shirley took the decision to retire from the industry at the tender age of 22!21. Age 28 - embracing motherhood...
Image source: Getty images
After stepping away from the spotlight, Shirley embraced her new role as a housewife and mother. Besides looking after daughter Linda from her first marriage, there was another addition to the family in 1952, Charles Black Jr. Two years later, daughter Lori Black, was welcomed into the happy home.22. Age 29 - volunteer work is high on the agenda...
Image source: Getty images
Shirley Temple was well known as an entertainer to the troops and they loved her! She also offered her time and services to the Allied Arts Guild where she was a volunteer who was passionate about raising money for the Stanford Home for Convalescent Children.23. Age 30 - and it's return to the showbiz world...
Image source: Getty images
In 1958, aged 30, Shirley was an absolute triumph when she made a return to the screen but it was the small screen this time, on television. The actress fronted "Shirley Temple's Storybook." This included stories such as "The Little Mermaid" and "Beauty and the Beast."24. Age 33 - presenting an Oscar...
Image source: Getty images
Shirley caused much attention in 1961 at the Academy Awards where she was presenting the Academy Juvenile Award. Miss Temple had been the very first recipient of this accolade so was perfect to present it. It was awarded to a young Hayley Mills who couldn't attend so Annette Funicello accepted it on her behalf.25. Age 39 - Shirley goes into politics...
Image source: Getty images
In 1967, Shirley decided to take an entirely new direction. She threw her hat into the ring of politics! The former child star ran in the California Congressional race and although she didn't win, she carried on working in politics. Shirley campaigned for Richard Nixon and made no secret of her future ambition to run for office again.26. Age 41 - Shirley is called to the United Nations...
Image source: Getty images
With her successful life on screen firmly behind her, Shirley Temple began a new role as an international diplomat. The former actress was appointed as the United States representative for the United Nations in 1969, a position she took extremely seriously.27. Age 45 - serious health issue stops Shirley in her tracks...
Image source: Getty images
At the age of 45, tragedy struck when Shirley was diagnosed with breast cancer. Thankfully she received successful treatment and unlike stars of that era, openly talked about the journey she had to go through in order to get back to good health. She helped remove the stigma around the disease.28. Age 60 - the highest honor...
Image source: Getty images
In 1988, Shirley Temple received the very first honorary title of Foreign Service Officer which was for her time when she worked tirelessly as a diplomat. She experienced much joy when, the following year, President George H. W. Bush appointed her as the ambassador to the new Czechoslovakia.29. Age 78 - Shirley is back on stage after the death of her husband...
Image source: Getty images
Shirley was devasted in 2005 when her beloved husband Charlies Black died. She decided to return to the stage a year later, this time to accept the Screen Actors Guild Lifetime Achievement Award. Her son, a great support to her, escorted her to the event and he, himself, won much applause.30. Age 85 - the loss of an icon...
