Mainstream media has become a single-minded authority on how we should perceive life. Theirs is a negative perspective. Could there be a new way of hearing the stories we feel are relevant in our lives – Writing
Mainstream media has become a single-minded authority on how we should perceive life. Theirs is a negative perspective. Could there be a new way of hearing the stories we feel are relevant in our lives
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Shirley Temple Stories – Kids
Shirley Temple Stories
Stephen Schochet
When the Twentieth Century Pictures company had their expensive merger with the Fox Film Corporation in 1935, studio head Daryl Zanuck was depending on two contract stars to pull the new company through its money troubles. Tragedy struck the same year when Will Rogers died in a plane crash in Alaska. Zanuck turned his financial burden on the shoulders of six year old Shirley Temple she was actually seven but wouldnt find that out till she was twelve.
Fox had signed her in 1933, a bad year for Hollywood with record numbers of movie theaters closing throughout the country. Her ability to sing and dance was off-putting to some scouts at the studio who called her,"a precocious little monster". Later when she became their chief financial asset the attitude around the lot changed. One time little Shirley walked into the commissary and was picked up by a friendly executive," How are you doing sweetheart" The room went quiet. Everyone was staring. If he dropped her, everyone there could lose their job. Very gently he put her down and backed away.
In real life Shirley the actress longed to have a normal existence, so Zanuck made her yearn for the same on the big screen. Depression era audiences fell in love with her determination and optimism. Because her films required no great special effects, locations or famous co-stars, they made enormous profits making her perhaps the most valuable movie star a studio ever had, which occasionally caused resentment. She once had a scene with Lionel Barrymore who flubbed a line then screamed bloody murder when she corrected him. Another time she worked with Adolph Menjou who left the set cursing," That little blankety blank is making a monkey out of me." Not everyone felt that way. Her dancing partner in The Little Colonel 1935, Bill "Bojangles" Robinson often held hands with Shirley as they walked together through the Fox lot. And John Ford who resented Daryl Zanuck assigning him to direct Shirley in Wee Willie Winkie 1937 came to respect the childs work ethic. Zanuck rightly blamed Fords bad influence when Shirley started to address the short mogul as "Uncle Pipsqueak."
She was a highly merchandised fad. She could have retired on the sales of Shirley Temple dolls alone. Once Director Alan Dwan was speeding to Twentieth Century Fox when he was pulled over by a policeman. "Ok buddy wheres the fi-- Say! Is that one of those Shirley Temple police badges on your passenger seat My daughter would kill for one of those. OK buddy, give me one of those badges and well forget the whole thing."
Shirleys career was guided largely by her over protective mother Gertrude who would grab her by the shoulders before each scene and say," Sparkle Shirley, sparkle." Zanuck frustrated Mrs. Temple by not allowing Shirley to play more varied parts not realizing she was a child, George Bernard Shaw offered her the lead in his stage version of Caesar and Cleopatra. Zanuck felt Shirleys spunky movie character had to be repeated for her to stay popular. Gertrude would demand that the studio cut any scene where another child looked better than her daughter. This caused great distress for other parents who retaliated by starting a rumor that Shirley was actually a midget.
Shirleys conservative banker father George had a difficult time dealing with the trappings of fame. One time he requested a meeting with Zanuck. "Mr. Zanuck, I want your advice about this fan mail Ive been getting. I havent shown them to Gertrude and Im tempted." Zanuck was startled to read letters from women across the country wishing for George to father their children. Zanuck, who was famous for his own womanizing ways gave simple advice,"If you cant promise them a little girl, stay loyal to your wife."
Zanuck kept spies to inform him of the childs activities at the studio. One time he interrupted a meeting with John Steinbeck to tend to her after hearing she had fallen and broke a tooth. On another occasion she was visited by HG Wells. Shirley was polite and after the famous author left, the little moppet was told she had just met the most important man in the world. "Uh uh. President Roosevelt is the most important man. And Governor Merriam is second." Later Zanuck heard this report while furiously puffing on a cigar. "Who did she say is third"
No matter how much Zanuck hid it on screen Shirley aged. When World War II broke out movie goers turned away from sentiment. Twentieth Century Fox began to make weightier films like Steinbecks The Grapes Of Wrath 1940. Shirley was declared over the hill at the age of ten. As a teen she became more independent. Without her mother to push her she never achieved the same acting success as an adolescent that she had as a child. But her grit and determination represented the American spirit to the world. A false report of her death in Hirohitos Japan in 1943 set off a wild celebration in the streets.
About The Author
Stephen Schochet is the author and narrator of the audiobooks Fascinating Walt Disney and Tales Of Hollywood. The Saint Louis Post Dispatch says," these two elaborate productions are exceptionally entertaining." Hear realaudio samples of these great, unique gifts at www.hollywoodstories.com.
orgofhlly@aol.com
TOP T.E.N Sports Stories for 2004 – Recreation
TOP T.E.N Sports Stories for 2004
Gary Whittaker
In no particular order, these are T.E.N webzines Top Sports stories in 2004
Red Sox win world series after 86 years.The world series itself was anti-climatic compared to the never before done in baseball comeback from a 3 game deficit over their nemisis, the New York Yankees. Chants of "Whos your Daddy" gave way to "Whos your Papi", while Curt gave us Chills watching his warrior like performance on the mound. David vs Goliath though, this was not. This was more like Goliaths kid brother tripping him when he was not looking, then kicking him before running away.
The new Cold War: NHL Hockey Lock-out. One of the biggest bonuses from this lock-out is that more Americans are hearing about the NHL now, then if there was hockey! While Canadians have turned towards minor league hockey, Bettman is probably hoping that more Americans will turn into NBCs coverage next year just to see what all the fuss was about.
BALCO, Bonds and Giambi. This story broke in 2004, and we can expect it to build momemtum in 2005. In 2003, Hank Aaron said that he would have not problem if Bonds passed him for the most home runs. "Records were made to be broked", he re-iterated. That was all provided, of course, of innocent until proven guilty. I believe that as well, but damn, he looks real guilty right now. Bonds can make all the criticism go away in one test, but this is something he has refused to do. Hey, even O.J put the gloves on.
The death of Superman. With no disrepect to Christopher Reeve, Boxings superman was Roy Jones Jr. that would actually make Don King Boxings Lex Luther!. Antonio Tarver shocked the world, and more importantly Roy Jones, with a stunning 2nd round KO out of nowhere. Glen Johnson made lightning strike twice a few months later with a 9th round KO, affecting buring Superman in a Krytonite grave forever. With Lennox Lewis retiring, Iron Mike Tyson turned to rust, and Roy Jones Jr thinking about ending his career as a heavyweight, boxing fans now awaits the next generation of talent to fill the void left by these boxers.
When NBA Players attack. From boxing to....a different kind of fighting, the NBA has been having their fair share of scuffles. The NBA is becoming a place where individuals can put themselves ahead of the team, and get away with it. You have Vince Carter calling most of the shots with the Raptors behind the scenes, then wanting a trade and getting after piss poor results and Toronto management deciding they can make their own decisions. Nowhere is this better evidenced than in L.A with the Kobe Klause. Even with Kobes lack of judgement caused his personal life major drama, the Lakers felt that Kobe could benifit from a change of coach and roster that would better fit his game. Kobe seems to have worked great for two teams in the NBA, unfortunately neither are the Lakers. The Heat and the Supersonics I am reaching with Seattle, but I dont think by much can both attribute at least some of their success indirectly to Mr. Bryant. Finally, we have well documented the events surrounding the Malice at the Palace in our 3-pointer column. At one point, teams will realize that at the salary players are getting, me first players like Artest and Iverson will never translate into Championships.
Ricky Williams. Sometimes sports stories transcend the actual sport. Ricky Williams story was about much more than abandoning the Dophines and contracts. This story also spoke to the people who have disorders like Rickys and believe that the use of pot will lessen the social anxiety they feel. It is about someone getting out of an environment or profession whos retirees are in constant pain for the rest of their lives. It is about someone forsaking worldly goods and want to experience life. Only Ricky knows his heart. He may be throwing his life away, or he may finally be living it, only he can tell us.
Montreal Expos become the Washington Nationals. This is one story we plan to be tracking through the next few years. If the drama over the stadium is any indication, we should be in for a few laughs and I-told-you-so-s before Washington and a few other teams become downsized. Bud Selig has no intention of stepping down, but we feel that as soon as the novelty of a new frachise has worn off, and off-season moves show again that the former Expos have no resources or ability to field a competitive team, Bud, and a few other teams will be cut.
Pat Tillman. Here is a man that left millions to serve his country. Unlike Ricky Williams, Pat Tillman knew what he wanted to do in life, and did it. He served for us all and we all owe him, and all soldiers that died in the war, a debt of gratitude. For NFL fans, he put a face to the number of casualties for the otherwise unaffected population.
Dream Teams rude awakening. Call it foreshadowing, call it lack of team discipline, call it what you want. The face of the NBA will start to change over the next fews years, especially if the Americans lose again in 2008. Franchises are run by Corporate Amerca, and Corporate America is all about their bottom line. Foreign players will be signed for a lot less money, be happier just to be playing in the NBA, and are far more accustomed to a team game. All it will take is for 1 team to take the lead and build a serious contender, and the rest will follow.
Janet Jacksons breast. The shock around the now infamous wardrobe malfunction was itself shocking to witness from our perspective. The 5 second delay was implemented at almost every live event. Lawsuits were filed, similar acts were canceled or replaced, and North America just got a little more stupid everyday. Europe didnt care, nor did Quebec. They all love breasts. It is a natural part of the human body maybe there is some doubt as to how natural hers are, but I digress. In a nation where the porn industry is king, and leads most of the technological advances streaming video...hello!, the United States continue to show the world their hipocracy
About The Author
Gary Whittaker is the editor of T.E.N Magazine, a social and sports commentary webzine with balls! Check out more articles at http://www.tenwebzine.com
editor@tenwebzine.com
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