5 Facts About Shirley Temple: The Making of a Child Star
Shirley Temple is without a doubt one of America's most beloved child actresses. Here are five little-known bio facts about her life and career before her teen years.
1. She was professionally trained. She underwent formal dance training starting at age three at the Meglin Kiddies Dance School in Los Angeles. By age four, she could execute complex tap routines on cue.
2. Her breakout role came from a short-film series called Baby Burlesks (1932–1933).
3. Her famous curls were not natural. They were painstakingly engineered by her mother, Gertrude Temple, using rag curlers nightly. Studio contracts explicitly forbade cutting or brushing them out.
4. Between 1935 and 1938, she was Fox’s top box-office draw at age 6, making her the biggest child star in history at the time.
5. She worked under conditions no longer legal: 15-hour days, six days a week.
Several Shirley Temple films were adapted from books.
Here are six (6) Shirley Temple movies that are book adaptations, which are marvelous examples.
1. Heidi(1937)
Adapted from: Heidi (1881) by Johanna Spyri
Heidi tells the story of a young orphan girl sent to live with her reclusive grandfather in the Swiss Alps. Despite his gruff exterior, Heidi’s warmth and innocence slowly soften him. Living close to nature, she befriends Peter the goatherd and thrives in the mountain environment. Her happiness is interrupted when she is taken to Frankfurt to serve as a companion to Clara, a wealthy but disabled girl. In the city, Heidi becomes desperately homesick, her health and spirit declining. Eventually, she is allowed to return to the Alps, where her joy is restored. Clara later visits Heidi and, inspired by the mountain air and Heidi’s encouragement, learns to walk. The novel emphasizes the healing power of nature, kindness, and emotional resilience.
Movie vs. Book:
The film is very close to the novel’s themes, characters, and emotional arc. Changes are mostly simplifications.
Movie Quote: “I don’t want a lot of things. I just want to be happy.”
Book Quote: “Wherever there is sunshine, one can find happiness.”
2. Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm (1938)
Adapted from: Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm (1903) by Kate Douglas Wiggin
Rebecca Randall is a lively, imaginative orphan sent to live with her stern aunts in the village of Riverboro, Maine. Though her Aunt Miranda disapproves of Rebecca’s enthusiasm and creativity, Rebecca’s optimism gradually wins over the community. She excels in school, forms close friendships, and develops a love for poetry and performance. Rebecca’s kindness and perseverance help bridge the gap between tradition and individuality. Over time, even her strict aunt grows to admire her spirit. The novel is a coming-of-age story focused on self-expression, emotional intelligence, and the importance of nurturing young talent rather than suppressing it.
Movie vs. Book:
The core character remains intact, but the film adds romance, music, and a more sentimental ending.
Movie Quote: “Things don’t happen the way you expect them to, but they happen the way they should.”
Book Quote: “Children are different, you know. There’s no standard pattern.”
3. Captain January (1936)
Adapted from: Captain January (1890) by Laura E. Richards
Little Star is an orphan girl raised by Captain January, a retired sea captain who works as a lighthouse keeper. The two live happily by the sea until officials discover that Star has wealthy relatives searching for her. She is taken away to be raised in comfort, but without the love and freedom she once knew. Meanwhile, Captain January falls ill and loses his sight. Eventually, Star’s relatives recognize the depth of her bond with the captain and reunite them, ensuring his care and her happiness. The novel highlights emotional bonds over material wealth and explores themes of loyalty, love, and belonging.
Movie vs. Book:
The movie is largely faithful in story and tone, though softened and musicalized for Shirley Temple.
Movie Quote: “I don’t care where I live, as long as I’m loved.”
Book Quote: “She had been rich before, rich in love and sunshine.”
4. Curly Top (1935)
Adapted from: Daddy-Long-Legs (1912) by Jean Webster
The novel follows Jerusha Abbott, an orphan whose education is secretly funded by a mysterious benefactor she calls “Daddy-Long-Legs.” Through letters, Jerusha describes her growth, struggles, and dreams while attending college. Over time, she becomes more confident and self-aware, questioning her place in society and her relationship with her unseen patron. Eventually, she learns his identity and confronts her feelings of gratitude, independence, and love. The book is notable for its humor, social commentary, and focus on a young woman’s intellectual development.
Movie vs. Book:
Only loosely inspired by the novel; characters, age, and story structure are almost entirely changed.
Movie Quote: “I don’t need money if I’ve got people who care.”
Book Quote: “The only way to be happy is to make somebody else so.”
5. Wee Willie Winkie (1937)
Adapted from: Wee Willie Winkie (1888, short story/poem) by Rudyard Kipling
Kipling’s original work is a short poem and related stories set in British colonial India, focusing on duty, bravery, and imperial life. The “Wee Willie Winkie” poem describes a child enforcing bedtime rules in military barracks, symbolizing order and innocence. Kipling’s broader themes often explore courage, loyalty, and the complexities of empire, though the original material is brief and symbolic rather than narrative-driven.
Movie vs. Book:
The film expands a short poem into a full narrative—essentially an original story using only the title and theme.
Movie Quote: “I’m not afraid. I just don’t like being brave alone.”
Book Quote: “He went through the dark with a lantern and a song.”
6. The Little Princess (1939)
Adapted from: A Little Princess (1905) by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Sara Crewe is a bright, imaginative girl sent to Miss Minchin’s boarding school in London while her wealthy father serves in India. Treated as a model pupil, Sara lives comfortably until her father dies suddenly, leaving her penniless. Miss Minchin strips Sara of her privileges and forces her to work as a servant. Despite hunger and hardship, Sara clings to her belief that “princesses” behave with kindness and dignity no matter their circumstances. Her imagination helps her survive cruelty and loneliness. Eventually, it is discovered that Sara’s father left behind a fortune administered by a friend who has been searching for her. Sara is restored to her rightful place and rewards those who showed her compassion. The novel emphasizes resilience, inner nobility, and moral strength.
Movie vs. Book:
Keeps the emotional core but significantly alters major plot points for dramatic effect.
Movie Quote: “Even if I’m dressed in rags, I’ll still be a princess.”
Book Quote: “Whatever comes cannot alter one thing. If I am a princess in rags, I can be a princess inside.”
My personal favorites are “Heidi” and “The Little Princess. The Shirley Temple films and/or books would make delightful additions to anyone's personal library. Paperback books are inexpensive, but the stories are priceless.
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