When times are tough, everyone needs a little break from their troubles. When things are difficult for everyone, everyone needs something to bring a ray of sunshine into a world becoming increasingly grey.
When life was hard in the 1930s, a little girl named Shirley Temple brought joy and happiness into the lives of millions worldwide, just by being her talented, sunny self.
You might have thought of her like a living doll for her dimpled sweetness and wholesomeness. Though she was talented, she was sweet, unspoiled yet clever. The world grew up with her, and she, in turn, sang and danced her way into careers in acting, international diplomacy, and family.
During the years she grew up in The Great Depression, she reminded people that there is always a silver lining. In The Little Princess, adapted from Frances Hodgson Burnett’s work, Shirley plays a little girl who goes from riches to rags, get still makes friends, has hope, finds meaning in life, and then gets her reward when her officer father is found alive.
In Heidi, she plays an orphan who goes to live with her grandfather and brings hope to her crippled relative, until the child miraculously learns to walk. Like Heidi, she is kind and encouraging to everyone, even when everyone isn’t so kind to her.
The same is true of all of Shirleys’ characters. Even in Poor Little Rich Girl, she tries to find happiness.
Watching Shirley dance and sing gave people something else besides their misery. It only costs pennies to go to the movies during the 30s, and many were able to scrape up enough to get out once in a while and watch the magical little girl perform till their spirits were lifted. Shirley writes in her autobiography that while studio life was not perfect, she did love to dance and to sing. Her enthusiasm is infectious; after watching her dance, we can get through anything.
In her only life, Shirley Temple dealt with her share of unhappiness and illness. She had a failed, first marriage and was left a single mother at a young age. Her career was not as successful during her teen and adult years. Her parents had trouble handling her money, and she lost a fortune, prompting the creation of The Shirley Temple Act to help protect the assets of child actors. She later had breast cancer, recovered, and became a diplomat serving Czechoslovakia nad Ghana. In these adult accomplishments, and through a sunny outlook and that winning dimpled smile, she continued to encourage others throughout her life.
Her legacy to all of us is priceless. Doll collectors and Shirley’s fans find comfort in her life and in the dolls and artifacts she inspired. Movie buffs still thrill to her movies. The spirit of a super talented, yet kind and humble little girl lives on. She is here to comfort us even today when times are tough.
So, fix yourself a Shirley Temple kiddie cocktail at home, and toast the little Curly Top herself. Long may her spirit sail on The Good Ship Lollipop, and long may she reign in our hearts.
Watch out on the Virtual Doll Convention Mailing List for details about our Virtual Shirley Temple Birthday Party. Shirley Temple’s birthday is April 23rd.
Click below to see the Shirley Temple videos on the Virtual Convention YouTube
About the Author:
This blog was written by VDC Contributor Ellen Tsagaris. Ellen Tsagaris is the owner of The American Doll & Toy Museum, a life long passion that is now a reality. She is the author of several books and hundreds of articles on dolls and toys, including the first book on metal dolls, With Love from Tin Lizzie, A History of Metal Dolls, and A Bibliography of Dolls and Toys, and the forthcoming Thinking Outside the Doll House, A Memoir. She was born in Europe, and she and her family have traveled to every continent but Antarctica. She has collected dolls since age three and has been researching them since age seven. She also dabbles in making dolls and paper dolls.
Ellen lives in the Midwest and has studied in Madrid, Spain, with degrees in Spanish and English from Augustana College, a law degree and Masters from The University of Iowa, and a PhD in Modern British Literature from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale.
Besides dolls, she writes about law, criminal justice, home security, literature, senior care, and history. She is also an avid blogger and active in social media. Her other interests include miniatures, antique china, women’s’ history, stamps, coins, jewelry, needlework, sports, piano music, fossils, and thimbles.