Temple began her film career in 1932 at the age of three and, in 1934, found international fame in Bright Eyes, a feature film designed specifically for her talents. She received a special Juvenile Academy Award in February 1935 for her outstanding contribution as a juvenile performer to motion pictures during 1934, and film hits such as Curly Top and Heidi followed year after year during the mid-to-late 1930s. Licensed merchandise that capitalized on her wholesome image included dolls, dishes, and clothing. Her box office popularity waned as she reached adolescence, and she left the film industry in her teens. She appeared in a few films of varying quality in her mid-to-late teens, and retired completely from films in 1950 at the age of 22. She was the top box-office draw four years in a row (1935–38) in a Motion Picture Herald poll.
Temple returned to show business in 1958 with a two-season television anthology series of fairy tale adaptations. She made guest appearances on television shows in the early 1960s and filmed a sitcom pilot that was never released. She sat on the boards of corporations and organizations including The Walt Disney Company, Del Monte Foods, and the National Wildlife Federation. In 1988, she published her autobiography, Child Star. Temple was the recipient of awards and honors including Kennedy Center Honors and a Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award.
Temple ranks 18th on the American Film Institute's list of the greatest female American screen legends of all time.
Temple began dance classes at Meglin's Dance School in Hollywood in 1931, at the age of 3. Her film career began when a casting director from Educational Pictures visited her class. Although Temple hid behind the piano in the studio, she was chosen by the director, invited to audition, and, eventually, signed to a contract with Educational.
Temple worked at Educational from 1932 to 1933, and appeared in two series of short subjects for the studio. Her first series, Baby Burlesks, satirized recent motion pictures and politics. In the series "Baby Burlesks", Shirley would dress up in a diaper, but then be wearing adult clothes everywhere else. The series was considered controversial by some viewers because of its depiction of young children in adult situations. Her second series at Educational, Frolics of Youth, was a bit more acceptable, and cast her as a bratty younger sister in a contemporary suburban family.
While working for Educational Pictures, Temple also performed many walk-on and bit player roles in various films at other studios. She is said to have auditioned for a lead role in Hal Roach's Our Gang comedies (later known as The Little Rascals) in the early 1930s; various reasons are given for her not having been cast in the role. Roach stated that Temple and her mother were unable to make it through the red tape of the audition process, while Our Gang producer/director Robert F. McGowan recalls that the studio wanted to cast Temple, but they refused to give in to Temple's mother's demands that Temple receive special star billing. Temple, in her autobiography Child Star, denies that she ever auditioned for Our Gang at all. However, Temple had some connection with Our Gang in that Temple's carpool friend, David Holt, had a small role in the 1933 Little Rascals film Forgotten Babies.
Temple was finally signed to Fox Film Corporation (which later merged with 20th Century Pictures to become 20th Century Fox) in late 1933 after appearing in Stand Up and Cheer! with James Dunn. Later, she was paired with Dunn in several films.
Temple would stay with Fox until 1940, becoming the studio's most lucrative player. Her contract was amended several times between 1933 and 1935, and she was loaned to Paramount for a pair of successful films in 1934. For four solid years, she ranked as the top-grossing box office star in America. Shirley's birth certificate was altered to hold on to her babyhood; her birth year was advanced from 1928 to 1929. She was not told her real age until her twelfth (actually thirteenth) birthday.
Her popularity earned her both public adulation and the approval of her peers. Even at the age of five, the hallmark of her acting work was her professionalism: she always had her lines memorized and dance steps prepared when shooting began.
Temple also made pictures with Carole Lombard, Gary Cooper, Adolphe Menjou, and many others. Arthur Treacher appeared as a kindly butler in several of Temple's films.
Temple's ability as a dancer (especially a tap dancer) is well known and celebrated. Even in her earliest films she danced, and she was able to handle complex tap choreography by the age of five. She was teamed with famed dancer Bill "Bojangles" Robinson in The Little Colonel, The Littlest Rebel, Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm and Just Around the Corner. Robinson also coached and developed her choreography for many of her other films. Because Robinson was African-American, and the South was replete with racism, his scenes holding hands with Temple had to be edited out in many cities in the South.
Aside from the films, there were many Shirley Temple product during the 1930s. Ideal's numerous Temple dolls, dressed in costumes from the movies, were top sellers. Original Shirley Temple dolls bring in hundreds of dollars on the secondary market today. Other successful Temple items included a line of girls' dresses and hairbows. Several of Temple's film songs, including "On the Good Ship Lollipop"(from 1934's Bright Eyes), "Animal Crackers in My Soup" (from 1935's Curly Top) and "Goodnight My Love" (from 1936's Stowaway) were popular radio hits. She frequently lent her likeness and talent to promoting various social causes, including the Red Cross.
Temple was the first recipient of the special Juvenile Performer Academy Award in 1935 for recognition of her outstanding contribution to screen entertainment in 1934. Seventy years later, Temple is still the youngest performer ever to receive this honor, or any Oscar. She is also the youngest actress to add foot and hand prints to the forecourt at Grauman's Chinese Theatre.
Fifth Avenue
Shirley Temple Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When it was time for tea
We walked along the Champs Elyse
The pride of gay Paree
You can rave about your Broadway and Times Square
Come on along and let me show you the grandest thoroughfare
Hop a bus, take a car
On Fifth Avenue (old Fifth Avenue)
Ev′ry Joe, ev'ry Jane
Walks along that dreamer's lane
On Fifth Avenue (that′s Fifth Avenue)
Where they stop, window shop, and their hopes are so high
Pricing rings, pretty things that they can′t afford to buy
But they smile, they don't care
Ev′ryone's a millionaire
When you′re strolling on Fifth Avenue
Easter bonnets bright and gay
New York's finest on Saint Patrick′s Day
Flags are flying, see them wave
Soldiers marching in mem'ry of the brave
There are shouts, there are cheers
Mingled with a mother's tears
On Fifth Avenue (old Fifth Avenue)
All the world′s on parade
Where the fashions are made
On Fifth Avenue (that′s Fifth Avenue)
Fancy shops, small cafes, a cathedral and then
Central Park, Cartier's, and a Woolworth′s five and ten
What a street, what a thrill
Say, you haven't lived until
You′ve been strolling on Fifth Avenue
You've been strolling on Fifth Avenue
The song "Fifth Avenue" by Shirley Temple is an upbeat celebration of one of the most iconic streets in the world. The lyrics describe the various landmarks and attractions that one can expect to find on Fifth Avenue, from window shopping to enjoying a cup of tea. The first stanza highlights the places that Temple and her companions have visited, including Piccadilly in London and the Champs Elyse in Paris. However, the chorus centers on the titular street, urging the listener to follow them and experience the magic of Fifth Avenue.
The second stanza of the song focuses on the different events and celebrations that take place on Fifth Avenue, such as Easter and St. Patrick's Day parades. Temple notes the flags flying and soldiers marching in memory of the brave, emphasizing the street's patriotic significance. She highlights the diversity of people that can be found on Fifth Avenue, from "Ev'ry Joe, ev'ry Jane" to "fancy shops" and "small cafes". The final lines of the song suggest that walking down Fifth Avenue can make anyone feel like a millionaire, regardless of their income.
Overall, "Fifth Avenue" is a joyful tribute to a street that has a special place in the hearts of many. Through its catchy melody and upbeat lyrics, it encourages the listener to experience everything that Fifth Avenue has to offer. The song's energetic and optimistic tone captures the spirit of New York, a city that's all about dreams and ambition.
Line by Line Meaning
We've been to London's Piccadilly
We have visited Piccadilly, a commercial and tourist hub in London.
When it was time for tea
At tea time or sometime around then.
We walked along the Champs Elyse
We took a stroll on the Champs Elysees, a boulevard in Paris revered for its shopping, dining, and entertainment.
The pride of gay Paree
The gemstone of joyful Paris.
You can rave about your Broadway and Times Square
You can talk enthusiastically about New York's Broadway and Times Square areas.
Come on along and let me show you the grandest thoroughfare
Join me and I will take you to the most magnificent street.
Hop a bus, take a car
Get on a bus or take a car.
Hail a cab and there you are
Call for a taxi and you will be there instantly.
On Fifth Avenue (old Fifth Avenue)
Referring to the historic Fifth Avenue in New York City.
Ev'ry Joe, ev'ry Jane
Every common man or woman.
Walks along that dreamer's lane
Walks down that street of aspirations.
Where they stop, window shop, and their hopes are so high
Where they pause and browse, glancing at storefront displays with great expectations.
Pricing rings, pretty things that they can't afford to buy
They see beautiful items such as rings and other beautiful objects, but can't afford to purchase them.
But they smile, they don't care
They are still happy and content in spite of not having the means to buy things.
Ev'ryone's a millionaire
Everyone feels rich or wealthy.
When you're strolling on Fifth Avenue
When you're walking along Fifth Avenue.
Easter bonnets bright and gay
Easter headwear that is cheery and colorful.
New York's finest on Saint Patrick's Day
The police force in New York City on St. Patrick's Day.
Flags are flying, see them wave
Flags fly and are waved.
Soldiers marching in mem'ry of the brave
Soldiers stride or march to commemorate the valiant warriors.
There are shouts, there are cheers
There are yells and expressions of approval.
Mingled with a mother's tears
Intermingled with a mother's weeping or crying.
All the world's on parade
Everyone or everything is out on display.
Where the fashions are made
Where styles are forged.
Fancy shops, small cafes, a cathedral, and then
Expensive stores, quaint coffee shops, a cathedral, and subsequently.
Central Park, Cartier's, and a Woolworth's five and ten
Central Park, Cartier's, and a Woolworth's dime store.
What a street, what a thrill
What a fancy street, what an exciting sensation.
Say, you haven't lived until you've been strolling on Fifth Avenue
You can't say you've had a full life until you've walked around on Fifth Avenue.
You've been strolling on Fifth Avenue
You've walked around on Fifth Avenue.
Writer(s): Mack Gordon, Harry Warren
Contributed by Adam V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ahwayzcool4630
My parents introduced me to her movies as a kid in the 70's. Love them all.
@musicteachjw
I would watch her movies after church every Sunday. Then I would dance around the basement, trying to be her. I've now introduced her movies to my dancer/performer grand-daughter.
@NickNicometi
Did you become like her?
@tomlynntigard
Her voice wasn't the greatest, but no one could match that personality and those beautiful smiles!
@JenayaKing
@@tomlynntigard i honestly like her voice
@raymundoolarrabenitez5585
Parents used to dress their little girls of that age like Shirley Temple in the 50s in the last century; I have a photograph of my wife when she was six, dressed like Shirley was .
@idachau1080
What a pity that musical movies are not made like they used to..
@bostonblackie9503
In the Second World War The Royal York in Toronto was where all the stars, selling war bonds, stayed. A Canadian women told a story that at about the age of 13 she and her friend would roam the halls of The Royal York looking for movie stars. They ran into Shirley Temple and one of her brothers, he was in the Royal Canadian Air Force, they asked for her autograph and while saying yes she stopped and said, "If you take a photograph of me and my brother in his unifrom?" She handed them the camera and the photo was taken. She give them her autograph then said, "Now give me your names and addresses and I'll send you a copy of the photograph." Good as her word they each received a copy of the photo with Shirley standing next to her brother, her arm through his. What a nice thing to do! The photo was in the newspaper along with the article I read. I guess the stars were different in those days because the lady went on to tell about she and her friend having tea with Ronald Coleman in his hotel room. They had located his room and knocked on the door. Having just ordered tea he asked if they wanted to join him. A different time a different era.
@rachelflores4999
*canadian woman. Wow really.😮
@jameshotz1350
She;s adorable, bright and talented.