The film chronicles the early life and career of 1930s child actress Shirley Temple, from her birth and first dance lessons at The Meglin Dance Studio to her rise to stardom in a series of musical comedies for Fox Film and subsequent transition as a teen actress, and the impact she made on American society during the height of the Great Depression, with her friendship with famed aviatrix Amelia Earhart and Franklin Roosevelt complimenting her during his fireside chats on the radio.
The film was shot on location at Port Melbourne, Australia for budgetary reasons. Melissa Joan Hart notes in her commentary track for the DVD release of the film that many aspects of Temple's career and filmography were cut from the film as it would have added to its runtime, and that the shooting location also presented challenges such as the use of right-hand drive vehicles (which necessitated making modifications to some of the cars to appear as though they are left-hand drive; a hidden stunt driver controlling the vehicle was used in one scene) as well as the accents of the Australian cast members, enlisting the services of a dialect coach.[5]
The scene where Temple is surprised by the on-set workers at the Fox studio lot is fictional; Shirley wasn't generally allowed to fraternize with studio crew and other personnel and was given a small bungalow which served as her playhouse and for her to take school lessons through an on-site tutor.[5]
Besides portraying Bill Robinson, Broadway veteran and tap dancer Hinton Battle also served as the film's choreographer.[6][7]
Reception
The film received mostly negative reviews from critics.
Howard Rosenberg of Los Angeles Times called the film "one-dimensional" and "underwritten, overplayed, [and] extremely weak," taking particular issue of then-ten-year old Ashley Rose Orr's portrayal of a five-year old Shirley Temple.[8]
Michael Speier of Variety gave the film a negative review, stating that while it did depict the studio system of the era as well as making brief mentions of Shirley's father's mismanagement of her earnings, the film focused more on an idealized depiction of her career; "Beyond that, auds expecting a sweeps expose on the biggest draw of her era will be reminded via overbearing sentimentality that this is a “Wonderful World of Disney” presentation all the way." Speier also criticised Ashley Rose's perceived lack of resemblance to Temple, though he gave some mild praise towards Orr's dance numbers and the period costumes.[2]
Scott Pierce of Deseret News felt that the lead actress could not compare to the person she portrayed, stating "In a way, it makes no difference. No matter who the producers of "Child Star: The Shirley Temple Story" chose, the child couldn't possibly measure up to the legend," also noting the incongruity of Orr portraying a five-year old and the film's lackluster portrayal of Temple's life story.[9]
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