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A little engine of energy, compassion and outreach, Ms. Temple was a preternatural dynamo, not a mere child star, but a sensation - and not just a sensation, but a huge part of America's hopeful narrative during a dark, difficult time. That was a spirit widely shared and it helps build the U.S. national character.
On the midnight of February 10th, 2014, this famous movie star, 85-year-old Shirley Temple passed away peacefully at her home in San Francisco. However, she never even grows old in the mind of her fans worldwide. She's still the little dimpled darling with blond ringlets who tap dancing happily.
The second to none achievement in acting
On the red carpet of taking the lifetime achievement award at Screen Actors Guild Awards, 2006, Shirley Temple bantered herself as "To be known as early as possible!". That's true to this famous child super star. Shirley took the dance classes at 3 years old and starred her first movie "Baby Burlesks". Next, she played a series of roles as toddlers until her first musical film "Stand Up and Cheer!" made a hit. Temple won a Oscar award at the age of 6; the same year, she was awarded as the "most outstanding individual" by American Film Institute.
Shirley Temple attended movie premiere in Hollywood in June 26, 1937
Thereafter, with the efforts of 20th Century Fox, Temple achieved unprecedented contribution to child acting career with a series of classics, including "The Little Colonel", "Our Little Girl", "Curly Top" and "The Littlest Rebel" in 1935; "Captain January", "Stowaway", "Poor Little Rich Girl" and "Dimples" in 1936; "Heidi" and "Wee Willie Winkie" in 1937; "Just Around the Corner" "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm" "Little Miss Broadway" in 1938 and "A Little Princess" "Susannah of the Mounties" in 1939.
During the Great Depression, Temple topped the global box office champion for four consecutive years, which was an achievement unprecedented at that time. In 1935, she had become the most favorite superstar with 4,000 letters from fans a week.
Brighten the American people
Temple's acting career coincides with the Great Depression. Shirley Temple herself, not only created wealth for here own family, but also the most significant property of 20th Century Fox to survive in the recession. Her sweet screen roles brightened American people in the entire economic woes. As President Franklin D. Roosevelt once put it, "As long as our country has Shirley Temple, we will be all right."
In the years that people have to line up for food and relief supplies, Temple's image appeared in the U.S. magazines and ads and almost 20 times a day. She even exceeded President Roosevelt and became the most photographed public figures at that time. American film insiders believe that Temple created a new culture, and changed child in a customer's way. More importantly, her tap dance surpassed the racial boundaries, med numerous broken hearts. She's the hope and dream of American people.
Successful transformation as a child star
After her 12th, Temple became less about who she was. People were unwilling to accept the reality that "Miss Miracle" had grew up quickly. But Temple just cut off in midstream at a happy juncture determinedly. She chose to be herself as an adult rather than a immortal child star. Then she did it and finally achieved the best in public service as good as in her acting career.
As an adult, Shirley Temple took up the post of the U.S. ambassador to the UN from 1969 to 1970, and served as the U.S. ambassador to Ghana in 1974; then the Chief of Protocol of the United States in 1976 and later to Czechoslovakia in 1989, appointed by President George H. W. Bush.
In the minds of many American fans, Temple worked hardly as a child actor; she never tried to do any outrageous but eye-catching things to raise her popularity. She did all her works well as an adult when stopped acting. As true and pure as Shirley Temple, she is an eternal example to all modern stars especially child stars.
