In 1935, Shirley Temple starred in one of her most popular movies, “The Little Colonel.” Set in the post-Civil War south, Shirley had the opportunity to wear a number of period costumes, most notably the southern belle outfit shown above. Thanks to her mother’s careful storage, the delicate costume made of silk taffetta survived in Shirley’s possession until she passed in 2014. I had the privilege of seeing it in person at the Santa Monica History Museum just before it was auctioned off in 2015.
The Ideal Toy Company created a special Shirley composition doll, wearing a replica of the very same outfit. Many different sizes were produced, including this large one that Shirley is holding for a promotional photo:
Shirley owned the 27" tall doll shown below, and it was auctioned off in 2015 for a whopping $5,500! This particular one also used a taffetta fabric. An original bonnet is coveted and very hard to come by, even if this particular one is a bit limp!
The 13" version shown below did not come with a bonnet, and was made with a pink organdy fabric. Unlike the regular Shirley Temple dolls of the 1930s, the Little Colonel dolls came with lace-trimmed pantalets.
The 1950s saw a line of Ideal vinyl Shirley Temple dolls, but for some reason, a Little Colonel doll was not part of the lineup. In 1974, Ideal released a Little Colonel outfit that kids could put on their 1972/1973 vinyl Shirley Temple doll. It was cheaply designed and obviously not produced with the care or attention to detail that the 1930s version boasted. The boxed outfit consisted of a lace trimmed dress and a hairbow. The red plastic shoes that came with the doll were meant to be used with the Colonel outfit. C-H-E-A-P!
Ten years later, another line of vinyl Shirley Temple dolls was released, and this group produced some never-before-leased outfits as well as some interesting interpretations of the old favorites. At center in the picture below you can see Ideal’s version of the Little Colonel, which is neither accurate in color or concept. Still, it’s much prettier than the 1970s version.
Shirley herself licensed The Danbury Mint to produce high quality porcelain dolls next, and naturally, the Little Colonel southern belle outfit was one of the first. To say it was garish would be an understatement. The all-too bright colors and cheap fabric choices lacked the charm of the 1930s original. Don’t even get me started on the oddly shaped body, with arms that looked like they could reach out and strangle you.
Finally, the Danbury Mint righted all the previous wrongs by releasing a porcelain replica of the 1930s doll, which used one of the organdy dolls for its inspiration. Standing at approximately 14", this doll also included the pantalets AND a nice bonnet! What it didn’t have was a decent wig or a sleep-eye mechanism with sable lashes. This helped Danbury cut corners by using a synthetic wig instead of a quality mohair wig like the 1930s dolls. Regardless of the changes, it is still a very cute doll.
Recently, I was able to acquire a 20" version of the 1930s doll. I could not believe my good fortune in stumbling upon one that also included a bonnet!
You can see why these dolls were so popular, even back in the Depression-era!
And for the all-important question that burns on all Shirley doll collectors minds: “Is it tagged?”
You bet your sweet bippy it is!
See more Shirley Temple doll photos at my website.
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