Today we celebrate the intersection of two historic icons from different worlds. On this day in 1949, J. Edgar Hoover gave Shirley Temple a special pen that emitted tear gas to ward off attackers.
Shirley Temple was the most famous child actress in the U.S. at the time and because of this she was the recipient of regular harassment from trolls (yes trolls have always been a thing). She received death threats. A Hollywood producer tried to take advantage of her when she was 12 years old. There were kidnap and extortion attempts. In consideration of this dark side of stardom, Temple was often visited by the FBI performing follow-up threat investigations to keep her safe. Along the way, she befriended the infamous FBI Director, J. Edgar Hoover.
Music Du Jour: Shirley Temple Playlist
Films Du Jour:
- Edgar (2011, Leonardo DiCaprio)
- The Little Colonel (1935)
- Curly Top (1935)
- Captain January (1936)
- Poor Little Rich Girl (1936)
- Heidi (1937)
- Little Miss Broadway (1938)
Miscellaneous:
- Remembering Shirley Temple as the Czech Ambassador
- Hoover’s high school debate team argued against the woman’s suffrage movement, and he fired all the women in the FBI when he took over as head of the Bureau; women were allowed back in in 1972, two months after Hoover’s death
- Want to know how much Grandma’s Shirley Temple Doll is worth?
- Hoover spied on Supreme Court Justices for decades, enlisting clerks and aides to work as FBI informants, and ordering warrantless wiretaps
- Shirley Temple vintage ornament
Snacks du Jour: J. Edgar’s favorite foods included cream of chicken soup, coffee, and Jello…so nuts. Shirley’s favorite meal was roast beef with whipped potatoes.
Cocktail Du Jour – The FBI Fizz
- Edgar Hoover was known to frequent the Stork Club in New York, which named The FBI Fizz is his honor.
- 5 oz. Cherry Liqueur (Heering)
- 5 oz Bourbon
- 5 oz Jamaican Rum
- 6 oz. Soda Water
Shake all ingredients except for soda water in ice. Strain into a highball glass over ice cubes, then add soda water to your taste.
Mocktail Du Jour – The Shirley Temple
The Shirley Temple, probably the most famous mocktail in the U.S., was created by the Brown Derby restaurant in Hollywood in the 1930s.
- 5 oz grenadine
- 25 oz lime juice, freshly squeezed
- 5 ounces ginger ale, chilled
Stir all ingredients in a tall glass with ice. Garnish with a spear of Luxardo cherries. You can also find a bottled version from Saranac.
Beer Du Jour
Fundamental Observation Imperial Stout
Wine Du Jour
Badge Pinot Noir
Use freshly squeezed citrus in your cocktails and mocktails when called for – It makes such a difference! Here’s a reliable and inexpensive juicer.
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Photo credits: “Shirley Temple 1928-2014” by ✄♥Ladyfroufrou♥★SparkleSparkle!☆★ is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0; “Public Domain: FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover (NARA)” by pingnews.com is licensed under CC PDM 1.0
