Who Approved This?!
Temple landed her first movie role in 1932’s Baby Burlesk. She was featured as a lingerie-clad “burlesque dancer.” The three-year-old was required to flirt with toddler-aged boys dressed as soldiers. Apparently, the movie was supposed to be a parody of a more adult film. It still sounds pretty messed up if you ask me.
After various minor roles, the young star finally got her major big break in 1934, when she signed a deal with Fox Studios. Six-year-old Temple was making $150 a week (almost $3,000 today), but she had to buy her own tap shoes (which seems like a sweet deal). After the success of her first three films, her paycheck shot up to $1000 a week!