Highlights
- Surprisingly, Shirley Temple never won the role of Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz due to lacking singing talent.
- Temple’s audition was a result of her immense popularity, ensuring financial success for the movie.
- Temple gracefully accepted the casting decision and later went on to become a successful diplomat, leaving a lasting legacy.
In the 1930s, Shirley Temple was America’s sweetheart. Her childhood innocence brought smiles and joy to millions of people as they dealt with the hardships of the Great Depression. Films like Curly Top, Bright Eyes, and The Little Colonel made her a household name.
Due to her immense popularity, Temple was considered for what would have been a role of a lifetime. She was given an audition for Dorothy Gale in MGM’s The Wizard of Oz. Unfortunately, Temple never got the part for a surprising reason. In this article, we will discuss why Shirley Temple never got to star in The Wizard of Oz, how Judy Garland got the role, and what Temple’s legacy is today.
What Kept Shirley Temple From Getting The Part Of Dorothy In The Wizard Of Oz?
Shirley Temple was a massive Wizard of Oz fan, according to Biography. When she learned that MGM was making a musical film based on L. Frank Baum’s classic series of books, Temple reportedly wanted to travel to Kansas and visit Dorothy Gale herself. A young child, Temple believed that Dorothy was a real person. Considering Temple’s passion for the franchise, she did not hesitate to audition for the role.
However, Temple’s Wizard of Oz story is often misunderstood. According to rumors, Temple was MGM’s first selection for the role of Dorothy Gale in the 1939 musical. This was not the case. Judy Garland, who was under contract with MGM, was thought of early on in the production process. According to Grunge, Dorothy was written for Garland in the initial screenplays.
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Shirley Temple simply got an audition due to her fame and popularity. According to Huff Post, the leader of MGM’s parent company convinced the film’s producers to give Temple an audition because of her star power and how it could help the production financially. He believed that having Temple attached to the project could better guarantee a box office success.
Roger Edens, one of MGM’s top musical contributors, agreed to hear Temple sing. Once Temple performed for Edens, he recognized that she did not possess the singing talent required for the role of Dorothy.
As planned originally, the role of Dorothy was then given to Judy Garland, according to Biography. Forever synonymous with the role, it is hard for fans to imagine anyone else playing the role but Garland. When the public learned that Temple did not win the role of Dorothy, a reporter wrote that this was “the greatest disappointment of her brief and eminently griefless career.”
Temple, who was a fan of Garland’s performance, looked back on the experience with class and understanding. In her memoir, Child Star, Temple articulated that,
“Sometimes, the gods know best.”
Garland’s Wizard of Oz journey was not as enjoyable as one might think, however. It was tragic for the young actress. She was forced on a nearly unbearable diet and was given a variety of substances to manage her weight and energy. Furthermore, she was harassed by fellow cast members. Temple also had a tragic experience as a Hollywood star, and was even financially taken advantage of by her own family.
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While Garland was earning notoriety with earlier MGM projects, The Wizard of Oz made her a household name. Due to The Wizard of Oz’s massive success, Garland joined Temple as one of the biggest stars of the 1930s.
What Is Shirley Temple’s Legacy Outside Of Her Failed Wizard Of Oz Audition?
Shirley Temple, later known as Shirley Temple Black, was the face of American popular entertainment in the 1930s. She made hit movie after hit movie and was one of 20th Century Fox’s greatest investments. Temple Black’s youthfulness allowed her to charm. Her sweetness was what the country needed during the Great Depression era. She gave her audience a sense of escapism. More so, she made her fans happy in a time of despair.
Popular films of the era that she starred in include:
- Heidi
- Bright Eyes
- Little Miss Marker
- Curly Top
- Captain January
- The Little Colonel
- The Little Princess
One of the greatest challenges child actors face is how to stay relevant when they become adults. Fortunately for Temple Black, she is just as remembered for her second career as her childhood entertainment years. In 1969, she began to get involved with politics and diplomacy, according to the Smithsonian Magazine. Under the Gerald Ford administration, Temple Black served as the Ambassador to Ghana. She was even named the U.S. Chief of Protocol by President Ford in 1976, becoming the first woman to hold the office. According to the Associated Press, she began to serve as the Ambassador to Czechoslovakia under President George H.W. Bush.
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Saudi Arabian Ambassador Jamil Baroody shared high praise for Temple Black’s diplomatic career. “After I heard her speak, I realized that Shirley Temple has not rested on her laurels as a child movie star. She has emerged as a sincere activist and an exponent of youth and its aspirations”, he said.
Temple Black passed away in February 2014 at the age of 85. Forever recognized as one of the most famous child stars in history, Temple Black left an equally impressive legacy as a respected diplomat.
While Temple Black never got to portray one of her favorite characters in literature, her Wizard of Oz story is a unique tidbit of entertainment history. Fans can only imagine what The Wizard of Oz would have been like with Temple Black at the helm.
Source: NewsFinale
