Obit: Shirley Temple Black 1928-2014

Subject: Shirley Temple Black 1928-2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Feb 14 - 10:41 AM

Shirley Temple Black obit in the New York Times

A portion:

After winning an honorary Academy Award at the age of 6 and earning $3 million before puberty, Shirley Temple grew up to be a level-headed adult. When her cancerous left breast was removed in 1972, at a time when operations for cancer were shrouded in secrecy, she held a news conference in her hospital room to speak out about her mastectomy and to urge women discovering breast lumps not to "sit home and be afraid." She is widely credited with helping to make it acceptable to talk about breast cancer.

A statement released by her family said, "We salute her for a life of remarkable achievements as an actor, as a diplomat, and most importantly as our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and adored wife for fifty-five years of the late and much missed Charles Alden Black."

Shirley Jane Temple was born in Santa Monica, Calif., on April 23, 1928. From the beginning, she and her mother, Gertrude, were a team ("I was absolutely bathed in love," she remembered); her movie career was their joint invention. Her success was due to both her own charm and her mother's persistence.

In "Child Star," her 1988 autobiography, Mrs. Black said her mother had made a "calculated decision" to turn her only daughter into a professional dancer. At a fee of 50 cents a week, Mrs. Temple enrolled 3-year-old Shirley in Mrs. Meglin's Dance Studio.

Subject: RE: Shirley Temple Black 1928-2014
From: Ebbie
Date: 11 Feb 14 - 11:19 AM

Not many people entertain so many others as Shirley Temple did. The fact that she went on to become a stable, productive adult is fairly remarkable.

RIP, Mrs. Black.

Subject: RE: Shirley Temple Black 1928-2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Feb 14 - 11:23 AM

I think her very early marriage was an escape from that life, giving her autonomy. We had a story book when I was a child, stories collected by Temple Black - I think she had four daughters, and they were included in a photo in the book. She led a remarkably private life considering how public her earliest years, and how she was so managed by both her mother and the studio.

SRS

Subject: RE: Obit: Shirley Temple Black 1928-2014
From: Joe Offer
Date: 11 Feb 14 - 03:06 PM

I first encountered Shirley Temple on the "Shirley Temple's Storybook" TV show. Wikipedia says it started in 1958 and ran intermittently until 1961. I guess it wasn't a big success, but if was a favorite in my family. I didn't watch any of her movies until I was past 40, and then I really loved them. She was an amazing performer, and seemed remarkably intelligent even before she reached the age of six.
May she rest in peace.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Obit: Shirley Temple Black 1928-2014
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 11 Feb 14 - 04:29 PM

I, on the other hand, watched them from age 5 when they were new ~~ she was just 4 years older than me, so in her youthful prime as an actress when I first started filmgoing. I recall Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm & Heidi & The Little Princess: saw the last of these with my cousin Peter, two years younger than me, and remember his suddenly wailing for the whole cinema to hear, "Take me home. It's too sad!" [They didn't.]

How brilliantly she did, having two such disparate successful careers. It was fashionable in some circles to belittle or denigrate her juvenile screen achievements [cf Graham Greene -- not only a lousy novelist, you see, but a dire smartarse of a critic too!]. But just look what a tap-dancer she was at age 6! in the clip included in that NY Times obit linked in OP, of Baby Take A Bow from Stand Up & Cheer.

I hadn't thought of her for years, I suppose. Hadn't even realised still alive. But I find myself taken quite aback by the grief I am feeling.

~M~

Subject: RE: Obit: Shirley Temple Black 1928-2014
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 12 Feb 14 - 07:26 AM

'But I find myselftaken quite aback by the grief I am feeling.'

I know exactly what you mean Mike. I'm around the same age as you, and therefore saw her pictures at about the same time you did. I liked the good cheer that they gave to the audience. They were slight of plot but heavy on music and humour, much like the the Astaire-Rogers or Rooney-Garland things of the same era. You came away from their films with a smile on your face. As an adult I recognised her singing and dancing talent, which for her age was enormous. Who else aged 6 could match steps with the famous Bill (Bojangles) Robinson? Nor was she mawkishly 'cute' in the dreadaful way some child actors are, or are directed to be. She was just naturally attractive, and remained so. Her audiences fell away however when she reached teenage. They did not want to see her in love scenes. This may have been behind her voluntary retirement from the movies. She certainly led a life of achievement thereafter. I think hers is a fine example of a life well lived, loved as a child, and admired as she grew into adulthood and a dignified, active old age.
When my wife and I were watching the news item on TV I said to her 'You know, that makes me feel really sad.' I too was quite taken aback.   Rest in Peace Shirley, and Thank You for the memories.

Subject: RE: Obit: Shirley Temple Black 1928-2014
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Feb 14 - 12:52 PM

I met her when she was ambassador to Ghana, when I still lived in te neighborhood. A grand dame she grew up to be. I'm sorry I didn't know she was still alive!

Subject: RE: Obit: Shirley Temple Black 1928-2014
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 13 Feb 14 - 08:31 PM

I am younger than she but saw her movies on TV when I was a child. I also enjoyed her TV show. I was surprised when she was made an ambassador. I read her autobiography, too. She has my fondness and respect. I'm surprised nobody has posted any videos of her yet. Being who I am, this is my favorite which I also posted it on Mudcat's Facebook page. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zpqt3zgdYUw