Child star or adult in disguise? The crazy rumor that led the Vatican to investigate actress Shirley Temple

In February 2014, America mourned its young bride, Shirley Temple, who brought joy and good humor as a child to a country bled by the crisis of 1929.

He was then noticed by two producers who hired him to make a series of short films depicting the great cinematic successes of the time. The returns were positive and, after his first production company went bankrupt in 1933, he signed a contract with the Fox Film Corporation, with whom he would make most of his films.

This decade marks the peak of his career. Shirley sings, dances and has many successes, becoming the highest-grossing artist at the box office for four years, 1934 and 1938, ahead of icons such as Clark Gable and Gary Cooper.

He even started the Academy Award for Youth in 1935 “His Outstanding Contribution to Cinematic Entertainment in 1934” (The Year of Little Miss, First Love, She’s Forever, and Shirley the Aviator).

In 1938, at the 11th Academy Awards, he also had the honor of presenting Walt Disney’s Oscar for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. In fact, a “grown-up” Oscar… and seven miniature versions!

The first child star on an international scale, she ditches her iconic blonde locks (legend says there are 54 of them) in every form, from doll to hat, to the bowl.

Vade Retro Pueri!

Notoriety that spread across Europe. And even in the Vatican. But not exactly for the reasons we’d imagine… At the height of her fame as a child star, she was hit with a number of rumor-based allegations.

The prize will be awarded to the hypothesis that Temple was not actually a child actor, but a dwarf 30-year-old adult. They were sure of it, the signs were not misleading: he had body piercings, wore wigs, dyed his hair, braced his teeth and wore dentures…

Absolutely grotesque rumours. But persevere enough The Vatican will decide to investigate To determine if Shirley Temple was really a child. The person concerned also said in his autobiography, published in 1988, child star.

A priest sent by the Holy See, Father Silvio Masante, visited Shirley Temple and her parents to verify or deny the rumor: “I’m here to ask you about the persistent rumors that Shirley Temple is not a child” He wrote in his memoirs, quoting the priest.

“The mother’s eyes widened in surprise. “In Italy, as in some other European countries, there is a persistent rumor that Shirley is not a child at all, but that Shirley is actually a dwarf.” continued the priest. Despite being so young, Shirley says she was shocked to hear such comments.

Spectacular career rebound

At the age of 20, believing that his future was not in Hollywood, he decided to end his film career. Therefore, the 50s and 60s are entirely devoted to his family. 1969 marked his return to the stage, this time political.

Shirley Temple is indeed prominent with the Republicans, being appointed by President Richard Nixon as the United States delegate to the United Nations and serving as the United States ambassador to Ghana and Czechoslovakia from 1974-1992. In 1976, she even became the first woman to head the United States Department of Protocol.

A perfect transformation for a great lady who left an unforgettable memory in the American collective memory.