Shirley Temple Story airs Sunday
May 10, 2001
A mother and her two daughters worked together to create a movie which dramatized the early span of America?s most famous child star?s life, Shirley Temple.
“Child Star: The Shirley Temple Story” was produced by Hartbreak Films, under executive producers Paula Hart and her daughter, Melissa Joan Hart (“Sabrinathe Teenage Witch”). Starring in the film is Paula?s younger daughter, Emily Hart.
The movie will air at 7 p.m. on Sunday, May 13 on the ABC Television Network. This was based on the autobiography of Shirley Temple Black and will air as a part of “The Wonderful World of Disney.”
Black was a star at the age of six when she was recognized in her first feature film, “Stand Up and Cheer” in 1934. This was at the height of America?sdepression, and the most famous movie star was Black, who at a young age could sing and tap dance. The movie depicts the rising stardom of Shirley Temple,including famous musical numbers such as “The Good Ship Lollipop” and the staircase dance from the movie, “The Little Colonel.”
Shirley Temple will be played by 10-year-old Ashley Rose Orr. This will be Orr?s first starring role. She has performed on Broadway in several productionssuch as “Annie Get Your Gun.” Orr will be playing Shirley from age five to ten. Emily Hart will play Shirley as a teenager.
Also appearing in the movie is Connie Britton (“Spin City”) as Gertrude Temple, Shirley?s mother. Colin Friels (“Class Action”) will play George Temple,Shirley?s father. Bill “Bojangles” Robinson will be played by three-time Tony Award winner, Hinton Battle. Battle also choreographed the film.