In December 1933, five-year-old Shirley Temple signed with the struggling Fox Studios, marking the beginning of a career that would rescue the studio from bankruptcy and make her a global sensation.
When interviewed by the BBC in 1989, Temple, then a US diplomat, reflected on her childhood stardom.
Despite once being Hollywood’s highest-paid star, she admitted her earnings were mostly gone due to mismanagement.
Fox Studios, founded in 1915 by William Fox, faced financial ruin during the Great Depression.
Just weeks before Temple’s contract, she was cast in Stand Up and Cheer! opposite James Dunn.
Though their roles were minor, the duo’s charm was undeniable, securing Temple’s rise to fame.
Her career in entertainment began at two and a half when her mother enrolled her in dance classes to channel her energy.
Temple was discovered there by director Charles Lamont, who cast her in Baby Burlesks, a controversial series exploiting child actors.
Temple’s experience on set was harsh, with punishing conditions including isolation in a “black box” filled with ice for misbehaving.
Her mother, barred from the set, managed her hair and costumes while coaching her daughter at home.
Despite the exploitative nature of Baby Burlesks, Temple’s talent shone through, earning her recognition.
After a series of small roles, Temple was spotted by a songwriter working for Fox, leading to her audition for Stand Up and Cheer!.
The success of her performance resulted in a one-year contract, later extended to seven years, at $150 a week.
Her partnership with Dunn continued in Baby, Take a Bow and Bright Eyes, which featured her iconic song “On the Good Ship Lollipop.”
By 1934, Fox Studios merged with 20th Century Pictures, forming 20th Century Fox, largely driven by Temple’s box-office appeal.
Her remarkable run included 10 films in her first year with the studio, earning her the first-ever Academy Juvenile Award at the 1935 Oscars.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt even credited her with lifting the nation’s spirits during the Great Depression.
Despite becoming Hollywood’s best-paid star by age 10, Temple’s fortune was poorly managed by her father, leaving only $44,000 from her estimated $3.2 million earnings.
Her career ended at 22, but she found success in diplomacy, serving as a US ambassador to Ghana and Czechoslovakia.
In her later years, Temple reflected fondly on her journey, acknowledging the enduring legacy of her signature song, “On the Good Ship Lollipop,” which she credited with taking her far in life.
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