America’s Original Sweetheart: Shirley Temple

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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.

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Shirley Temple 1932. Photo by Hollywood Photo Archive / Mediapunch / Shutterstock

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!

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