Shirley Temple Has A Secret Admirer

I didn't think it was possible for an 80 year old woman to have a stalker-ish type fan. What makes it even more incredible is that the fan in question is 82, and knows how to use the internet, AND reads Variety. Out of compassion and respect I generally try and read Army Archerd's blog in Variety. I mean as the headline says, Army was the original gossip blogger. He is the guy he told the world that Rock Hudson was getting treatment for AIDS.

Anyway, Army's column this week is about his birthday wishes to Shirley Temple who turns 80 today. Army does a little recap of her life and, honestly doesn't make her seem like the most friendly person in the world. Maybe Army was cranky, I don't know.

I wouldn't have really even brought it to your attention, except for the lone reader comment on the article.

Please forward this to Shirley.

Happy Birthday Shirley. So sorry you had an accident.
It's only temporary and in short time you'll be good as new.
Just wanted to say it's my birthday too. My 82nd. Needless to say I grew up watching and admiring you.

About 30 years ago I happened to be shopping in the same book shop, in California that you were in. Wanted to say Hello and tell you we share the same birthday but I hesitated as I wanted to give you, your privacy. So I admired you from a distance.
Again, Happy Birthday and a wishing you a speedy recovery.

OK, so she is probably not a stalker, but I worry about people who have an encounter with a celebrity and then are telling the same story 30 years later. This woman probably has said the same thing to her kids and grand kids and nieces and nephews and on and on and on for 30 years. Well, I hate to break it to you, but it probably wasn't even Shirley Temple. Shirley was 50 then. If you saw Shirley Temple in a bookstore right now would you recognize her? Hell no, and that is with the internet and photos available and everything else. 30 years ago you would have had a visit from Shirley once or twice a year in the newspapers.

I hope it was Shirley, and I am sure Shirley is happy to be admired from a distance. Of course this could be just a staffer from Variety who felt sad that no one had commented on Army's article about Shirley Temple and so made up one.