Photoplay (Jul-Dec 1947)

The Shirley I Know ( Continued, from page 64) didn’t say, “Madam, I never saw you before in my life. Four years ago I was fifteen and I’ve never been inside a bar.” The woman wouldn’t have believed me. And then there’s another group that says, “When you were a little, little girl, I bounced you on my knee.” One week I counted up the people who told me that. There were twenty-seven of them. Sometimes I wonder how I had time to make any pictures if I were being bounced on so many knees. If this confuses you, just remember it confuses me, too. After all, I’m Shirley Temple and I ought to know something about myself. But I end up sometimes wondering, “Who am I?” Right now I’m going to try to answer that question. When I was young, Mother never showed me any stories about myself in magazines or newspapers. Later I could read them if I wished. After reading a few I stopped. I was recognizable in them, but somehow it was always some other person’s concept of Shirley Temple and, in many cases, an idealization. I’m no princess or tingoddess and I wouldn’t want to be either. I’ve had a good life and a fortunate one. I love my work — acting. I work hard at it. And I have my share of vanity. I like to feel I’ve brought people pleasure on the screen. But it was an accident of fate, of timing, that gave me the chance. I’M NINETEEN years old and sometimes my feet hurt and sometimes I have headaches. Frequently I want things I can’t have, and won’t get. Often I’m angry with myself and often I’m disappointed. That makes me like lots of other girls. Sure, there’s a difference. I’m in the movies, have been for a long time. That has made me public property, like the Smithsonian Institution and Grant’s Tomb. As a result, almost everything I’ve done for years has been publicized. Some stories have been true. Others have been lies. Long ago I learned not to pay any attention to the lies. Now I’m trying to get my husband, Jack Agar, to treat them the same way. But it’s harder for him as he’s newer to the movie world and gets riled by stories which make me giggle. When he’s really irate, I tell him my favorite story. I was five when a chain of European newspapers printed a story that I was a thirty-year-old midget with two children. One newspaper even sent a correspondent to Hollywood to ferret out the real facts. He was probably disappointed when he discovered I wasn’t a midget. The most annoying stories these days are the ones that have our marriage breaking up. Not long ago one appeared and gave the inside “dope.” It seems we were splitting because Jack liked to listen to symphonies on the radio and I liked murder mysteries. If Jack had been able to find the author of that story there would have been a murder and no mystery. But here’s one story that I’m happy to say now is true . . . Jack and I are looking forward to having our first child in the early part of next year. We’re naturally both excited about it and terrifically happy. I’d like it to be a girl and Jack says he doesn’t care what it is “as long as it’s a boy!” That’s a man for you. As far as the name of the child goes, we’re still looking. But neither of us want “it” to be a “junior.” I’ll continue acting as long as I can before the baby is born. But when she — or he — is very young I’d like to stay home. After the baby is a little older I’d like to go back to work. You see, I get jittery when I’m idle. It UUt&Uf ! But now Fresh brings you a new, more effective, creamier deodorant to give you carefree underarm protection. Only Fresh can give you this patented combination of amazing ingredients. New Fresh is the most effective cream deodorant you have ever tried . . . we think you’ll agree! Yet dresses are safe from rotting . . . normal skin is safe from irritation. New Fresh is delicately perfumed, delightful to smooth on . . . doesn’t dry out. But don’t take our word for it. Test Fresh — see if it isn’t the best deodorant you’ve ever used. UrvcA yieur, ? 93