Shirley Temple11 November 2014 5 Comments

 

At age 22 in 1950

Shirley Temple Black (1928-2014) was an American film and television actress, singer, dancer, corporate director, United States Ambassador to Ghana and Czechoslovakia and Chief of Protocol of the United States, 1976-77. She began a film career at the age of three and was the top box-office draw four years in a row, 1935-38 retiring completely from films at age 22. She ranks 18th on the American Film Institute's list of greatest female American screen legends of all time. 

Q:        Mrs. Black, if you accept this form of address, I would like to thank you for coming through so quickly in Earth time. As this is written and posted, we understand from press reports you've been home for less than one of our days. This leads to my first question, about time.ST:       I am happy to be here, please ask your question.

Q:        We hear so much from our good friends on "The Committee" about how time isn't linear off Earth and doesn't even exist as we see it. Still, your appearance with us so quickly, as we see it, is a surprise?ST:       Yes, on Earth. I have already met with everyone who wished to greet me upon return home and I had already made a few visits, pre-emptive strikes you might say, as I slept. Shortly before departing my Earth body for good. My other lives proceed in parallel, as all do. Existence is forever. I have simply looped back around to the moment in which you all see yourselves on this day, the eleventh of February. There are no days in Heaven, and no calendar built from them. The sun always shines for you, if you want.

Q:        I won't bore you with career, anyone can look that up. I am most curious about what you can tell us about the world and the United States government, given your involvement as a diplomat.ST:       It was a terrific career but the childhoods of most people confused me at the time. I understood later on; don't we all?

Q:        Were you ever thinking of returning to the screen as an adult, to be a regular actress in full length feature films?ST:       Not seriously, but I did think about it from time to time. I decided the only attraction was really money, and I didn't want any more. I didn't need the fame and didn't want more of either. I understood what famous people like Marilyn Monroe had to endure; as a child I was insulated from speculation and rumor the way an adult isn't.

Q:        What was the best thing about being an Ambassador?

ST:       Showing pride in my great nation.

Q:        The worst?ST:       I would not say there was a worst thing, but there were several challenges. The biggest was how I felt pressured to accept the host country's view of the USA as if the USA's point-of-view were not valid, was not as worthy. Diplomacy requires a good listen but the convincer mistook this for acquiescence; somehow my lack of objections equaled agreement to their cause or view. Not so fast!

Q:        Younger and ever more exposed youthful entertainers seem to always be in hot water or at least in the middle of a controversy. How do you compare what you see today with your time in the 1930s?ST:       Technology allows it but human nature is what drives it and would have done so in my time, if photography and video were so fast.

Q:        Do you believe entertainers have more or less controversy nowadays?ST:       It's the same, but more known for the people who choose to pay attention.         .

Q:        The image is, things are far worse now. Entertainer misbehavior, scandal and so forth.ST:       It was common in the 1930s but not well publicized, unlike today, the twenty first century.

Q:        What future for entertainment awaits humanity?ST:       I can't spill those beans, but it's a big plateful!

Q:        You can hint, can't you?ST:       Well, sure…..there will be more three dimensional movie like experiences. There will be projections that surround you, these will be demonstrated by visitors and then the ability to do it will be given to you. Instead of watching a film, you will feel one, as if you are in it. 

Q:        That would dampen the experience, since viewers will know they're not the actors and actresses.ST:       It will fade in and out; some of the time the image will be on the screen as you now see its two dimensions and then suddenly it will expand and envelop you, especially the slow motion development of key scenes. Car crashes, bombs and things like that will seem to happen around - not just in front of - the viewer.

Q:        Diplomacy seems to be a growing issue, what with interaction between nations ever more visible. How do you see this developing?ST:       The challenge I faced has grown; it is fashionable to be critical of the United States, both inside the nation and by friend and foe. This is all done for political gain. I will say, the pressures and energies affecting all of humanity and Earth – and the universe – also create effects in this area. The desire to manage and improve, a natural consequence, has invaded diplomacy. To manage the USA's role in world affairs is shown as the better way forward, and it is pursued.

Q:        Should the USA push back in moments where it might believe it is being unfairly criticized?ST:       Not at all, let the critics sound off. Half the time they might be right, the other half just manipulative for their own political ends. Let them; what does criticism ever really improve? Actions, or inactions, essentially a change in course, is what will lead to improvements. These are always voluntary and few of us volunteer to be criticized. 

Q:        Of what are you most proud?ST:     My happy and fulfilling life long after I left show business. I became something nobody, not even I, expected. This mostly means my family.

Q:        Do you have any regrets?ST:      No, however there are a few things I see I could have done differently and it would have helped me and others around me. Either way, the experience was rich and worthwhile.

Q:        What message do you wish to send humanity?ST:       Give yourselves credit for all bad things that happen, because you see, they are not so bad. They are even good, as bad as they are.

Q:        Anything you wish to say "locally", given the recent passing of Shirley Temple?ST:       Yes, to all my family and friends who were with me; I have returned to this moment and want to thank you. So thank you. That is all.

Q:        Your visit honors us; my thanks also.ST:       It was an honor and pleasure; back to my parallelity!

 

Comments

Brett 11/02/2014 9:17pm

Great interview. I was worried about her when I first heard the news.

Susan 11/02/2014 10:36pm

Aww, lovely to hear from Shirley Temple so quick :-) I absolutely adored watching her movies on TV in the 70's when I was a small girl. She was/is an Angel of Joy :-)

got it 12/02/2014 1:29am

Thanks Patrick. The time question and reply were just what I neededto get a better understanding. "parallelity" indeed.

Patrick 12/02/2014 10:25am

I stumbled over the word when she "said" it...I thought I'd made a mistake, but she insisted I put down "parallelity".

cristina 12/02/2014 3:32am

interesting bit this one "Q: What message do you wish to send humanity?ST: Give yourselves credit for all bad things that happen, because you see, they are not so bad. They are even good, as bad as they are.":)