Baby Burlesks and the Early Career of Shirley Temple
Before becoming one of the most iconic child stars in cinematic history, a three-year-old Shirley Temple made her first screen appearances in a unique series of short films known as Baby Burlesks. Produced by Educational Pictures in the early 1930s, these films were part of the Pre-Code era—a period in Hollywood before the strict enforcement of the Motion Picture Production Code.
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The Nature of Baby Burlesks
The Baby Burlesks series utilized young children to parody adult situations and films. While these shorts provided the platform for Temple's debut, the legacy of the series is complex. In her own autobiography, Temple reflected on the production, describing the series as "a cynical exploitation of our childish innocence." She further noted that some of the short films contained elements that were racist or sexist.
Spotlight on Glad Rags to Riches (1933)
One notable entry in the series is Glad Rags to Riches, released in 1933. This short film, with a running time of approximately 10 to 11 minutes, showcases the early talent of Temple alongside a cast of other child actors.
Production and Direction
The film was directed by Charles Lamont and Ray Nazarro, with writing and production credits attributed to Jack Hays and Charles Lamont. The technical execution was handled by cinematographers Sidney Wagner and Dwight Warren, while the editing was managed by a team consisting of William Austin Howard Dillinger and Arthur Ellis.
Cast and Music
Beyond Shirley Temple, the film featured a wide ensemble of young performers, including Georgie Billings, Danny Boone, Jr., Eugene Butler, Marilyn Granas, Philip Hurlic, Gloria Anne Mack, Arthur J. Maskery, Jimmie Milliken, Dorian Samson, and Georgie Smith. The auditory experience was rounded out by music composed by Alfonso Corelli.
Key Facts
- Starring: Shirley Temple in her first screen appearances.
- Production Era: Early 1930s Pre-Code cinema.
- Studio: Produced by Educational Pictures.
- Distribution: Distributed by Universal Pictures, Educational Film Exchanges, Inc., and Fox Film.
- Duration: Short films typically ran around 10-11 minutes.
Production Summary: Glad Rags to Riches
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Directors | Charles Lamont, Ray Nazarro |
| Writers/Producers | Jack Hays, Charles Lamont |
| Running Time | 10-11 minutes |
| Country of Origin | United States |
| Language | English |
Frequently Asked Questions
What were Baby Burlesks?
Baby Burlesks was a series of Pre-Code short films produced by Educational Pictures in the early 1930s that featured children in adult-like roles.
How old was Shirley Temple when she appeared in these films?
Shirley Temple was three years old during her appearances in the Baby Burlesks series.
How did Shirley Temple view the series in later years?
In her autobiography, Temple described the series as a "cynical exploitation" of childhood innocence and mentioned that some films were sexist or racist.
Who distributed the film Glad Rags to Riches?
The film was distributed by Universal Pictures, Educational Film Exchanges, Inc., and Fox Film.
What is the typical length of a Baby Burlesks short?
Using Glad Rags to Riches as an example, these short films typically had a running time of 10 to 11 minutes.