Shirley Temple, a cherished child star, starred in 29 films by the age of 10, yet her life was filled with challenges. She endured long working hours, death threats, and inappropriate advances, and retired at 22 with only $40,000 despite earning millions. Shirley humorously recalled losing faith in Santa Claus at the age of six when he asked for her autograph.
Beginning dance lessons at the age of 3, Shirley Temple appeared in Baby Burlesks, short films she later criticized for exploiting children’s innocence. On set, she learned the consequences of misbehaving when she was made to sit on a block of ice in a locked booth, teaching her the importance of both time and money.
At the age of 6, Shirley gained fame for singing “On the Good Ship Lollipop” in Bright Eyes. Her son, Charles Black Jr., attributed the popularity of her films to their charm and family values. Shirley’s mother, Gertrude, was highly protective, carefully selecting her playmates to prevent illness and uphold social standards.
Studio parties held for Shirley’s birthday on April 23 were primarily publicity events, with many of the gifts being donated to charity. Following the 1932 Lindbergh kidnapping, Shirley received death threats, prompting her parents to increase security measures, including her father carrying a gun.
In a chilling incident in 1939, a woman pointed a handgun at Shirley during a promotion for The Blue Bird, mistakenly believing Shirley had taken her daughter’s soul. Fortunately, the situation was quickly brought under control.
Despite her success, Shirley Temple was released by Fox Studios in 1941 due to declining ticket sales. She was subsequently picked up by MGM, where she faced inappropriate behavior from producer Arthur Freed. Despite earning $10,000 a week at her peak, Shirley retired with only $40,000 due to her father’s poor investments. Shirley refrained from blaming him, believing he had been poorly advised.
Shirley demonstrated remarkable resilience throughout her life. Her second marriage to Charles Black brought her happiness, and she found success in her second career as an American diplomat. Reflecting on her life, Shirley remarked,“I’ve led three lives: acting, wife and mother, and international relations. I’m proud of all three careers.”