Childhood as Spectacle. History 1080. February 10, 2006.

1. Child stars and spectacle in the 1930s

A. Children represent hope, innocence, miracles during hard times:

B. Change and continuity

- shift from economically useful to emotionally priceless child = largely complete

- New technologies such as photography & film → mass reproduction of images

- Visual media gives new meaning to old concepts

* malleable child = target of advertising

* romantic child / wondrous childhood = tied to consumption

* childhood → professionalized: children work = to maintain adult fantasies of

idyllic childhood & express “childish” behaviours not acceptable for adults

- Mary Pickford & beyond

2. Historical Context: why the 1930s?

1. Science and technology: film, automobiles, modern medicine
2. Parent anxieties = heightened by urbanization, mass culture, schools, economy
3. Depression and the need for hope

3. Shirley Temple (1928-

A. Depression persona: achieving the American Dream & bringing good cheer

- Academy Award 1935

B. Femininity, censorship & the child star

- 1934 Production Code (censorship)

- Mae West & Shirley Temple: “Two Great Women” (Esquire, 1935)

C. The allure of Shirley Temple

- Depression persona: optimism & spunk

- Post-Production Code: coquettish acceptability

- The ordinary and the divine

D. Merchandising & Shirley Temple dolls

4. Dionne Quintuplets: Annette (1934-), Cecile (1934-), Emilie (1934-1954),

Marie (1934-1970), Yvonne (1934-2001)

A. Biography: parents lost custody (until 1943)

- quints raised at Quintland under direction of Dr Allen Dafoe

B. Depression-era appeal: God, science & modern medicine

C. Money & Merchandising

- 3 million visitors to Quintland, 1934-1943

5. Shirley Temple & Dionnes Compared

Resistance, Tragedy & Childhood as Spectacle