childhood friend of the actress Shirley Temple John Casson’s book, The Little Girl Who Fought the Great Depression: Shirley Temple and the 1930s America, details her unique upbringing.
Marilyn Granas grew up with Shirley and was her closest friend and film stand-in. Shirley was only 3 years old when she entered show business.
Marilyn Granas says Shirley’s childhood birthday gifts were donated to charity
according to radarAll of Shirley’s birthday parties took place on the 20th.th Century Fox Studio Commissary. Marilyn, who died last year at the age of 98, sat beside her friend and a pile of gifts as they all sang happy birthday. Marilyn said, “But it was my understanding that Shirley never saw any gifts.” “They all went to charity.”
This was just one example of Shirley forgetting a common childhood tradition. Shirley’s mother, Gertrude, an aspiring ballet dancer throughout her childhood, “did everything a stage mother does,” John wrote in his book. “She had no trouble getting close to the president of 20th Century Fox, who made movies starring younger stars. She was his daughter’s acting coach, her hairdresser, and her protector.”
Marilyn also took care of Shirley, protecting her from others and making sure she was always front and center. She also chose her friends carefully, of whom Marilyn was one of the few she accepted.
Shirley, who became one of the most famous child actors in films like Little Miss Marker and Bright Eyes, praised her mother’s dedication. He said, “He didn’t force me into anything. I liked what I did.”
Marilyn recalled that Gertrude was happy to have a daughter after two boys. “Mrs. Temple told my mother that she started training him when he was in his crib,” Marilyn said. “Her mother would say, ‘Shine, Shirley,’ and she would shine.”
Shirley married twice, had three children and had a second career as a diplomat. He died in 2014 at the age of 84.
Tell us – is it worth losing a normal childhood to fame?