Shirley Temple sails away

Shirley Temple has sailed away on the Good Ship Lollipop. She is a name from a far away era, but also a timeless ray of sunshine to the world captured and preserved, as though in amber, as a child of joy reflecting innocence and wonder for the world.

Her star was at its zenith more than 70 years ago when she topped the US Box Office list from 1934 to 1938, all while less than 10 years old.

She appeared in her last feature film in 1949, but went on to live a full life, with television appearances and then a career as an ambassador.

And of course, there is the non-alcoholic cocktail that bears her name and has been around since her hey-day.

Her passing at 85 was a moment to recall the joyful films she made in the 1930s. It was the time of the Great Depression. Shirley Temple was the perfect antidote to lift the spirits of a nation (and the world). She had fresh-faced optimism and the energy of a youngster filled with wonder, hope and belief for the promise of future days.

Growing up, I recall watching Shirley Temple's films when they were shown on television as schedule 'fillers' - usually early afternoon matinees when audience figures were traditionally low. Their feel-good factor never diminished.

Waves of nostalgia caress the gentle sands of my mind when I watch films from that golden era. I hanker after the silver screen's simpler world, where people and lives appear more straightforward, where common pleasantries were indeed commonplace, and where life's wholesomeness is exuded most everywhere you looked.

Today, each time I watch young Shirley sing 'On The Good Ship, Lollipop' from the film 'Bright Eyes' (1934), I'm transported back to those happy, long ago days. So here is my salute the child star who will forever be remembered as the knee-high ray of sunshine that brightened the world. Shine on, Shirley.