A Tribute to Shirley Temple

Have you ever seen a cuter, more adorable little girl in your life (other than your own daughter perhaps)? Shirley Temple was that little girl--the epitome of precious "sugar and spice and everything nice," complete with doll-baby frills, dimples, and those famous blonde curls.

Years ago, my grandmother introduced me to her movies, having bought an entire set of VHSs from QVC. I played them for my own children and they fell in love with her infectious personality, learning the words to The Goodship Lollipop, and Animal Crackers In My Soup. Even though the films are in black and white, they still hold up to the quality standard of today. That's the litmus test for a true star--an actress whose work lasts through the generations. Shirley Temple's movies have lived on, years past her exit from Hollywood and eventual career in politics that resulted in a position as a US ambassador. Hopefully, her untimely passing will generate a renewed interest in the sweet, moral goodness that was once the hallmark of Hollywood films.

As a child, I never understood how she could walk away from stardom and settle down with a husband, living the life of a regular American housewife. She was at the height of popularity, segueing nicely from a fabulous child star to a mature, talented actress. But sadly, type-casting stalled her career and eventually the industry lost interest. Initially, she was marketed by the studios as a squeaky clean Sandra Dee-type, but I'm sure she could've molded herself into a screen sex kitten if that had been her desire. But obviously it wasn't. She disappeared into obscurity, only to reemerge later on the political scene as Shirley Temple Black, ambassador to Ghana and Czechoslovakia.

I think of my favorite modern-day child stars and look at where life has taken them: Macaulay Culkin, Lindsay Lohan, Miley Cyrus, all of whom could learn a thing or two from Shirley Temple. Yes, the cruelty of losing the "cute kid factor" to the awkwardness of the teen years has abruptly ended many of their Hollywood careers, or set them severely off course. For some child stars, the temptation to break cleanly from the sweet persona and embrace lewdness and rebellion is too enticing to pass up. Sure, this tactic may garner attention initially, but will that interest last through the generations? Only time will tell.

Thankfully, for Shirley Temple Black the road of Lindsay Lohan, Britney Spears, and Miley Cyrus was not chosen. Now, after her passing, we are left with the legacy of this darling little girl who can sing and dance up a storm and charm the sourness out of the grumpiest of men. We are also left with the legacy of a bold, courageous woman who was not hemmed in by her past, but used it to pioneer her way through the thick political arena dominated by men. She has probably done more for womankind than any of us realize.

As for me, I'll always remember her in the frilly dresses and blonde curls, flashing those cute dimples and giggling with a devious twinkle in her eye--looking like a doll baby, acting like an innocent, adorable little girl, yet harboring the promise of a beautiful, strong woman ready to blossom at the appropriate time. What a wonderful combination of sugar and spice! Can't wait to pull out those old videos and sing a few rounds of "Animal Crackers In My Soup"!

Thank you, Shirley Temple, for your contribution to the Friday family's entertainment over the years. We will ensure that your memory lives on!