I recently illustrated an essay called, In My Clothes. In it, the author looks back on her life, using the clothes she was wearing at the time as a reference point.
Interesting idea– more on that assignment in a future post.
The essay contained the following passage:
But I like Shirley Temple. Here is a child who notices her dimples, and uses them to her advantage. She uses them to promote world peace, and to make old seamen smile again. No one can resist her innocence and tap dancing abilities.
Which prompted the following illustration. Since the essay was about clothes, I used a paper doll motif to add some humor.
Shirley Temple (1928-2014) was one of the biggest box office stars of the 1930s. In fact, she was the top box office star for four straight years, 1935-38.
She usually played a waif or an orphan whose pluck and sunny disposition melted the hearts of gruff old men. One such crusty guy was the old lighthouse keeper in the 1936 film, Captain January.
Here’s a larger detail:
No doubt about it– Shirley was a cutie. Below: a studio portrait (left); a publicity still for Captain January; with actress Claudette Colbert, holding her honorary Oscar (the first ever awarded for juvenile performance) which she won in 1935, at age 6.
Here’s a theatrical poster for Captain January, which also starred Guy Kibbee and Buddy Ebsen.
Just how good a tap dancer was Shirley Temple? Check out Shirley and Buddy Ebsen dancing to At The Codfish Ball, in this clip from Captain January.
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Have you ever watched a Shirley Temple movie?
Have you ever drunk a Shirley Temple? (yup, that drink is named after her)
Have you ever tap danced from your computer to the coffeepot and back again without spilling a drop??
Hope you’ll leave a comment.
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