Shirley Jean Rickert

This filmography was made in collaboration with Matthew Lydick.

full name: Shirley Jean Rickert
married name: Shirley Jean Measures
burlesque name: Gilda (also briefly known as Gilda Edwards)
born Mar. 25, 1926, in Seattle, WA
died Feb. 6, 2009, in Saratoga Springs, NY

1927

Sep./Oct. 1927: Around this time, when Shirley was 18 months old, she won a local baby contest. This inspired her mother to work towards making a celebrity out of her little girl. In 1966, Shirley quipped that the winning of the baby contest was "the road to ruin."

1929

1928/1929: By Shirley's third birthday, her mother had moved the family from Seattle to Hollywood to pursue a movie career for her daughter. As Shirley said in 1966: "My mother dragged me off to Hollywood when I was 1½. At Central Casting, the woman in charge threw up her hands. She had more than enough child stars. She could just see the top of my head over the desk. When we toddled off, she stopped us. My mother, having noticed that all the other children were dressed in cute, frilly things, had dressed me in tailored clothes. These caught the woman's eye. My first picture was 'How's My Baby?' when I was 2. My mother also got my father a job in Hollywood."

1930

1930: Shirley won a look-alike contest in which she was made up to look like Ruth Taylor of Mack Sennett Bathing Beauty fame. This led to her joining Our Gang, complete with the Taylor hairdo. Years later, on her website, Shirley said, "My hair style was developed by Max Factor and glued to my face every morning with Wave Set."
May 1930: A casting directory states that Shirley had done some work in comedies for Jack White Productions.
June 29, 1930: From the Los Angeles Times: "Among the hundreds of professional children trained at the McAdam Normal School of Dancing, the latest to win success is little Shirley Jean Rickert, 4-year-old baby screen favorite, who has appeared in talking parts in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Gus Edwards, Jack White and Mickey McGuire productions and was first-prize winner in the recent flower pageant in Ocean Park. Petite Shirley Jean received her entire training under Miss McAdams."
July 28, 1930: Shirley worked with the Our Gang unit for the first time, albeit as a day player.
Aug. 19, 1930: Shirley was signed to a long-term contract with Hal Roach Studios, to be effective from Aug. 18, 1930, to Aug. 17, 1935. Her salary was $75 a week.
Aug. 22, 1930: A press photo was released showing Shirley posing with Mary Pickford. The caption read: "Fortune smiled on little 4-year-old Shirley Jean Rickert when Superior Judge Marshall F. McComb approved her contract with the Hal Roach Studios, making her official 'vamp' for 'Our Gang' comedies." Pickford happened to be at the same court for an unrelated matter.
Aug. 31, 1930: From the Los Angeles Times: "Petite 4-year-old Shirley Jean Rickert, who has taken stage and screen training at the McAdam Normal and Professional School of Dancing since 2 years of age, and has already won recognition on the screen, has been signed for five years with the Hal Roach Studio to appear in Our Gang Comedies. Shirley Jean, who was introduced in person at the R.-K.-O. Theater last Wednesday afternoon (Aug. 27th), as the juvenile star of the current picture, is now on location with the Fox Film Company, playing the baby lead in the Will Rogers production, 'Lightnin'.' "
Oct. 14, 1930: From The Tacoma News Tribune: "Word has been received by Mrs. T. I. McGrath, 3607 North 8th street, that her 4-year-old granddaughter, Shirley Jean Rickert, had been named official 'vamp' for the 'Our Gang' comedies. Shirley Jean is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur A. Rickert, formerly of Tacoma, but who now live in Hollywood. Mrs. Rickert was educated in Tacoma schools and the family lived here many years before leaving for the southern California movie capital. Included in the information which Mrs. McGrath received regarding Shirley Jean was a clipping from a Los Angeles paper showing the tiny blonde actress seated on a bench with Mary Pickford. The little girl was in superior court to receive approval of her contract with the Hal Roach studios and Miss Pickford happened to be there to ask that the name of her 14-year-old niece, Mary Charlotte Pickford, be changed to Gwynne Pickford. Shirley Jean has been seen in several pictures which played in Tacoma, including 'Sins of the Children,' 'Night Work,' and 'Follow Thru,' which is playing at a local theater this week. Now she will be in company with 'Wheezer,' another child who had his origin in Tacoma."

Mickey's Master Mind (extra): Mar. 2, 1930 - Darmour/Standard/RKO - 2 reels - Mickey (himself) McGuire series; ©Mar. 2, 1930.
How's My Baby? (featured role: the baby): June 22, 1930 - Mermaid/Educational - 2 reels - Mermaid Comedy series; ©June 28, 1930. Starring Monte Collins and T. Roy Barnes.
The Sins Of The Children (role: Taylor child): June 28, 1930 - Cosmopolitan/MGM - 9 reels - feature; Starring Louis Mann, Robert Montgomery, Elliott Nugent and Leila Hyams. Also released as 7 reel silent version.
Mickey's Merry Men (small part: girl carrying train of dress): July 20, 1930 - Larry Darmour/Standard Photoplay/RKO - 2 reels - Mickey (himself) McGuire series; ©July 20, 1930. Reissued as Mickey's Brigade.
Night Work (bit part: orphan): Aug. 3, 1930 - Pathé - 9 reels - Eddie Quillan feature; ©June 6, 1930. Shirley had her Ruth Taylor hairdo by the time this film was made.
Follow Thru (role: little cherub): Sep. 27, 1930 - Paramount - 10 reels - Technicolor - Charles (Buddy) Roger & Nancy Carroll feature; ©Sep. 26, 1930. Filmed in 2-strip Technicolor.
Lightnin' (undetermined role): prem. Nov. 28, 1930 - Fox - 10 reels - Will Rogers feature; ©Oct. 31, 1930. Released Dec. 7, 1930.

1931

Mar. 14, 1931: Shirley received her final check from Hal Roach Studios, her contract being prematurely terminated. It was later explained in a press release that she was deemed too sweet and pretty for the Gangsters.
Apr. 30, 1931: From the Portland Evening Express (ME): "Shirley Jean Rickert, member of Hal Roach's Our Gang, has been signed for the child part opposite Robert Woolsey in 'Everything Rosie,' which started shooting on the Radio lot as 'Going, Going, Gone'."
Aug. 15, 1931: The Broadway Hollywood department store had a grand opening for The Children's Own Floor. Shirley Jean Rickert and Mary Ann Jackson served as assistant hostesses.
Circa 1931: During this period, Shirley and Mary Ann, both of whom attended the McAdam Normal and Professional School of Dancing, danced in some sort of special presentation.
Sep. 18, 1931: From The Sun of Long Beach: "Lloyd Lathrop, of the firm of Harry & Lloyd, tire dealers at 1102 American avenue, announces that on Saturday, Sept. 19, Shirley Jean Rickert, star of the 'Our Gang Comedies,' will make her personal appearance at their store. Shirley Jean will present free gifts to every child accompanied by an adult."
Late Sep. 1931: Shirley returned to the Roach studio to appear in the Boy Friends comedy, "Love Pains."
Oct. 31, 1931: Shirley entertained at the "Children's Hallowe'en Party" thrown by Bullock's in Los Angeles. Also performing as part of the program were Norman "Chubby" Chaney and Betty Jane Graham. Ads for this event stated that Shirley would be appearing with the "famous Police Dog 'Caesar,' recently imported from Australia," and that she would be making a series of films with him.
Dec. 11 and 12, 1931: A new E.F. Smith public market had its grand opening on Figueroa Street in Los Angeles. Shirley was part of the entertainment on one of the two days, as was Chubby Chaney. They were both said to be appearing "courtesy of the Hal Roach studios," but neither was under contract with Roach at this point.

103. Helping Grandma (supporting role: Shirley): Jan. 3, 1931 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-37 - Our Gang series; Filmed July 28 to Aug. 6, 1930. ©Oct. 1, 1930.
104. Love Business (bit part: Shirley): Feb. 14, 1931 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-38 - Our Gang series; Filmed Sep. 3 to 15, 1930, with retakes Sep. 20, 1930. ©Oct. 26, 1930.
105. Little Daddy (small part): Mar. 28, 1931 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-39 - Our Gang series; Filmed Oct. 30 to Nov. 13, 1930. ©Feb. 6, 1931.
The Stolen Jools (small part): Apr. 4, 1931 - Masquers Club/National Variety Artists/Paramount - 2 reels; The Our Gang kids are among the multitude of stars featured in this short.
106. Bargain Day (featured role: Shirley): May 2, 1931 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-40 - Our Gang series; Filmed Dec. 14 to 23, 1930, with retakes Jan. 26 to Feb. 2, 1931. ©Mar. 23, 1931.
Everything's Rosie (small part: Rosie as a child): prem. May 22, 1931 - RKO - 8 reels - Robert Woolsey feature; Filmed spring 1931. ©May 22, 1931. Released June 13, 1931. Working title: Going, Going, Gone.
107. Fly My Kite (supporting role): May 30, 1931 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-41 - Our Gang series; Filmed Mar. 2 to 14, 1931. ©May 7, 1931.

1932

Love Pains (small part: little girl): Feb. 13, 1932 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. S-4 - All Star series with The Boy Friends; Filmed Sep. 23 to Oct. 1, 1931. ©Mar. 1, 1932.
Once In A Lifetime (role: flower girl): Oct. 2, 1932 - Universal - 9 reels - Jack Oakie & Sidney Fox feature; ©Sep. 2, 1932.

1933

1933: Shirley landed the role of "Tomboy Taylor" in the long-running Mickey McGuire series. The role was originally played by Delia Bogart from 1927 to 1933.
Dec. 14, 1933: From Robbin Coons in his syndicated column: "There's always something to be skeptical about. This time it's the press agent's assertion that Shirley Jean Rickert, the 'Tomboy Taylor' of juvenile comedies, actually prefers spinach to all other foods."

Stage Mother (role: Shirley Lorraine as a child): prem. Sep. 20, 1933 - MGM - 9 reels - Alice Brady feature; ©Sep. 28, 1933. Released Sep. 29, 1933.
Mickey's Touchdown (supporting role: "Tomboy" Taylor): Oct. 14, 1933 - Darmour/Standard Photoplay/Columbia - 2 reels - Mickey (himself) McGuire series; Credited as Shirley Jeane Rickert. ©Oct. 1, 1933.
Mickey's Tent Show (supporting role: "Tomboy" Taylor): Oct. 27, 1933 - Darmour/Standard Photoplay/Columbia - 2 reels - Mickey (himself) McGuire series; Credited as Shirley Jeane Rickert. ©Oct. 20, 1933.
Mickey's Covered Wagon (supporting role: "Tomboy" Taylor): Nov. 30, 1933 - Darmour/Standard Photoplay/Columbia - 2 reels - Mickey (himself) McGuire series; Billed as Shirley Jeane Rickert. ©Nov. 20, 1933.

1934

Jan. 25, 1934: From the Illustrated Daily News of Los Angeles: "Mickey McGuire and his gang make a personal appearance at Tally's Criterion Saturday afternoon (the 27th). Mickey Rooney, featured player in these comedies, will be master of ceremonies, and will offer his young associates in a series of skits, songs and dances. The youngsters, including Billy Barty, Douglas Scott, Hambone Johnson, Shirley Jean Rickert, Marvin Stephens and others, will appear at two matinee performances, 12:45 and 2045. In addition to 'Angkor,' the jungle feature picture, 'Mickey's Minstrels,' latest Mickey McGuire comedy, having its first Los Angeles showing, will also be seen."
Feb. 11, 1934: From The Detroit Free Press: "Shirley Jean Rickert, 'leading lady' in the Mickey McGuire comedies, is considered the arbiter of children's fashions from five to nine years of age. Shirley is said to have modeled more juvenile modes than any other child in filmdom."
Early 1934: The Mickey McGuire series came to an end, and Shirley went back to playing small roles in feature films.
Apr. 7, 1934: From the Los Angeles Times: "There will be plenty of interest for children and their parents at The Broadway today...From 2 to 4 p.m., in the book department, street floor, the radio cast of 'Snickerty Nick' will be on hand in person to meet their friends. The dwarf Nickey and Shirley Jean Rickert and Buster Phelps of 'Our Gang' fame will be present, along with the author, Julia E. Ford, to autograph copies of the book."
Circa 1934: Around this time, Shirley took up trick riding, which helped her to land the role of the Indian heiress in "'Neath The Arizona Skies."
Sep. 7, 1934: The Anaheim Bulletin (CA) carried an ad for the Long Beach Plunge, featuring a photo of Shirley. It reads: "Original White King Soap Girl, Member of Our Gang Comedies, Shirley will lead the Baby Parade Sunday, September 9th, and swim Sunday afternoon at the Long Beach Plunge."
Sep. 7, 1934: The Daily Olympian of Olympia, WA, mentioned that Shirley had, over the summer, been taking dramatic and dancing instruction from Miss Reitha Gehri.

Mickey's Minstrels (supporting role: "Tomboy" Taylor): Jan. 11, 1934 - Darmour/Standard Photoplay/Columbia - 2 reels - Mickey (himself) McGuire series; Credited as Shirley Jeane Rickert. ©Jan. 2, 1934. Working title: Mickey's Troupers.
Mickey's Rescue (supporting role: "Tomboy" Taylor): Mar. 23, 1934 - Darmour/Standard Photoplay/Columbia - 2 reels - Mickey (himself) McGuire series; Credited as Shirley Jeane Rickert. ©Mar. 14, 1934.
Mickey's Medicine Man (supporting role: "Tomboy" Taylor): May 18, 1934 - Darmour/Standard Photoplay/Columbia - 2 reels - Mickey (himself) McGuire series; ©Apr. 30, 1934.
The Scarlet Letter (role: Humility Crakstone): Sep. 18, 1934 - Darmour/Majestic - 8 reels - Colleen Moore feature; ©Nov. 15, 1934.
I'll Fix It (role: little girl): Nov. 10, 1934 - Columbia - 7 reels - Jack Holt feature; ©Sep. 28, 1934.
'Neath The Arizona Skies (supporting role: Nina Morrell): Dec. 5, 1934 - Malvern/Monogram - 6 reels - John Wayne feature; Credited as Shirley Jane Rickert. ©Jan. 15, 1935.
One Hour Late (role: little girl): Dec. 14, 1934 - Paramount - 8 reels - feature; ©Dec. 14, 1934. Starring Joe Morrison and Helen Twelvetrees.

1935

June 15, 1935: Shirley worked at the Hal Roach studio, apparently for publicity purposes. It seems likely that she modeled some clothing with the Our Gang kids.

Straight From The Heart (role: Austin's daughter): Mar. 22, 1935 - Universal - 8 reels - feature; ©Jan. 8, 1935. Starring Mary Astor, Roger Pryor, Baby Jane and Henry Armetta.
The Drunkard (role: Julia): prem. Apr. 3, 1935 - Exploitation/Stage & Screen - 63 min. - feature; Credited as Shirley Jean. Starring James Murray, Clara Kimball Young, Janet Chandler and Bryant Washburn.
I Live My Life (role: child at Christmas party): Oct. 4, 1935 - MGM - 10 reels - Joan Crawford feature; ©Oct. 1, 1935.

1936

Crash Donovan (role: young girl): Aug. 1 ,1936 - Universal - 6 reels - Jack Holt feature; ©July 21, 1936.

1937

Nov. 26, 1937: From The Tacoma News Tribune: "One reason Tacomans should be drawn to 'Heidi,' Shirley Temple's latest film at the Music Box, is Shirley Jean Rickert, a former Tacoma lass, has a role in the film as a member of the minuet, a pretty feature in the production. Little Miss Rickert received her dancing instruction from Miss Reitha Gehri, Tacoma instructor, when she was young, and her parents and grandparents, the latter, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Rickert of Waller road, have a wide acquaintance here. She visited in Tacoma two years ago at the home of Mr. and Mrs. H. O. Somerville, 307 North L street. Shirley Jean, under contract with 20th Century-Fox, often is seen on the screen with Anita Louise, whom she greatly resembles, as Anita's daughter. She has shown great cleverness for one so young and for some time was a featured player in 'Our Gang Comedies.' She lives now in Hollywood with her parents. Miss Gehri, while in Hollywood this year, as 'Heidi' was being filmed, was engaged to instruct the youngsters in the minuet, and she sees great things for her former young pupil. Shirley Jean has played with Lionel Barrymore, Joan Blondell, Ann Harding, Wheeler & Woolsey and others. She is a whirlwind at tap dancing, due to Miss Gehri."

Heidi (small part as member of minuet): Oct. 15, 1937 - 20th Century-Fox - 10 reels - Shirley Temple feature; ©Oct. 15, 1937.

1938

Jan. 5, 1938: The Tacoma News Tribune carried an article about Shirley, who was currently in town visiting her grandparents. It mentions that, when not at school at whichever studio she was working at, Shirley attended the Gardiner Street school. "Among the things Shirley likes to do are going to school, eating her spinach, playing drums, picking up sticks and playing on the rings."
Circa 1938: In 1966, speaking to the Buffalo Evening News Magazine, Shirley had this to say: "Worst for a child star was the transition period when you became an adolescent. From the time I can remember, I auditioned for jobs. We were turned down lots of times. About the time I was 12, though, nobody wanted us. It was very frustrating for a child. I was the meal ticket by then. When I didn't work, mother and I went hungry. We never actually starved. But many times we were just plain hungry, believe me. I grew up with a big fat inferiority complex...I earned $75 to $150 a week during the '30s. There were no laws then about trust funds for child stars. Like a lot of others, none of the money was ever put away for me. There was hardly any jealousy among the youngsters. Our mothers watched each other like hawks and so on. Stage mothers are something else. They are the very worst. When I was young, I never played with other children for fear I'd break something. I worked with them. Acting was easy. All children are natural actors, unless a child is a real dunce. They live in a world of make-believe anyway. Sounds a little grim, doesn't it? In many ways it was a pleasurable experience. I mean, not many people have been a child star. You have, maybe, a little more self-esteem. It's something to tell your children."

1940

Five Little Peppers In Trouble (small part: Kiki): Sep. 1, 1940 - Columbia - 7 reels - Five Little Peppers feature; ©Aug. 24, 1940. Also featuring Edith Fellows and Tommy "Butch" Bond. Shirley plays piano (or at least pretends to) while Fellows sings "The Blue Danube Waltz" by Johann Strauss.

1942

The Major And The Minor (role- college girl): prem. Sep. 16, 1942 - Paramount - 10 reels - Ginger Rogers & Ray Milland feature; ©Oct. 16, 1942.
Get Hep To Love (role: student): Oct. 2, 1942 - Universal - 8 reels - Jane Frazee & Robert Paige feature; Also featuring Gloria Jean and Donald O'Connor. ©Aug. 25, 1942.

1943

Early 1940's: Shirley started taking bit roles as dancers and also did some choreography.

Best Foot Forward (role: dancer): prem. June 29, 1943 - MGM - 10 reels - Technicolor - Lucille Ball & Harry James feature; ©July 14, 1943. Released Oct. 8, 1943.
In Old Oklahoma (role: dancer): Dec. 6, 1943 - Republic - 11 reels - John Wayne & Martha Scott feature; ©Oct. 13, 1943.

1944

Feb. 3, 1944: The Yukon Sun (OK) listed James William Riedel, 20, of Mustang Field, and Shirley Jean Rickert, 18, of Hollywood, CA, as among those obtaining a marriage license.
Circa 1944: During World War II, Shirley drove a truck for the Army Air Corps. As she said in 1962: "I pushed a ton-and-a-half cargo truck as a civilian Army employee during the war. I enjoyed riding horses. For awhile I was a stunt rider."

Meet The People (role: dancer): prem. June 1, 1944 - MGM - 10 reels - Lucille Ball & Dick Powell feature; ©Mar. 23, 1944.

1946

Circa 1946: Shirley must have been discharged from the military around this time, as her film activity picks up again after a two-year gap. She remembered being in numerous Esther Williams films (which would mainly be from the late '40s and early '50s), though I've yet to verify any of them.

If I'm Lucky (role: dancer): Sep. 2, 1946 - 20th Century-Fox - 78 min. - feature; Starring Vivian Blaine, Perry Como, Harry James and Carmen Miranda. ©Aug. 31, 1946.

1947

Nov. 1, 1947: From Jimmie Fidler in his syndicated column: "Shirley Jean Rickert, one-time blond child beauty of the Our Gang comedies and now an MGM dancer, is readying a divorce suit against her husband, UCLA student James Rydell."

The Long Night (role: girl in theater): May 28, 1947 - Select/RKO - 101 min. - Henry Fonda feature; ©Aug. 6, 1947. Also starring Barbara Bel Geddes, Vincent Price and Ann Dvorak.
Good News (role: dancer): prem. Dec. 4, 1947 - MGM - 93 min. - Technicolor - June Allyson & Peter Lawford feature; ©Dec. 5, 1947. Released Dec. 26, 1947.

1951

Royal Wedding (role: dancer in Haiti number): prem. Mar. 8, 1951 - MGM - 93 min. - Technicolor - Fred Astaire & Jane Powell feature; Released Mar. 23, 1951.

1952

The Pace That Thrills (role: girl): prem. Mar. 21, 1952 - RKO - 63 min. - feature; Starring Bill Williams, Carla Balenda, Robert Armstrong, Frank McHugh and Steve Flagg. ©Feb. 5, 1951.
Singin' In The Rain (role: chorus girl): prem. Mar. 27, 1952 - MGM - 12 reels - Technicolor - feature; ©Mar. 11, 1952 (in notice: 1951). Released Apr. 11, 1952. Starring Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor and Debbie Reynolds.

1953

I Love Melvin (role: chorus girl): Mar. 20, 1953 - MGM - 77 min. - Technicolor - Donald O'Connor & Debbie Reynolds feature; ©Feb. 2, 1953 (in notice: 1952).

1954

Early 1954: Near the beginning of this year, Shirley began to train at the New Follies Theatre in Hollywood to become a burlesque stripper. She became known professionally as Gilda and Her Crowning Glory (in reference to her long hair, which she would let fall down below her waist). She almost immediately made "The A-B-C's of Love," and toured the U.S. and Canada for the next seven years as part of a variety show that included singers, strippers and comics. The earliest live performance I've been able to confirm was at the New Follies Theatre on March 26th.
1950's: Somewhere along the line, since her 1947 divorce, Shirley married David Measures.

The A-B-C's Of Love (role: Gilda the Golden Girl): Jan. 1954 - Billiken/Mishkin - 64 min. - Gilda feature; Credited as Gilda. An adult film. The release date is according to the TCM website, though it's somewhat questionable. Given that Shirley got into burlesque dancing in 1954, and that the earliest screening I've been able to confirm happened on March 28th, I'm guessing that the shooting of the film may have been what happened in January.
The Human Jungle (role: stripper): prem. Sep. 28, 1954 - Allied Artists - 6 reels - Gary Merrill & Jan Sterling feature; ©Sep. 26, 1954. Released Oct. 3, 1954.

1955

Jan. 24, 1955: From United Press: "'Gilda,' former Our Gang comedy star, made her debut as a burlesque dancer at Minsky's Saturday (the 22nd), but her heart isn't in it. 'A stripper's life is one of the dullest in the world,' the 23-year-old flaxen haired beauty said in discussing her 15 minute 'feature' act. 'You just do the job and go home,' she said. 'There's no roses waiting at the door.' Gilda, whose real name is Shirley Measures, has been in show business nearly all her life, ever since she played the part of the sweet little sister to such pranksters as Jackie Cooper, Farina and Alfalfa, in Our Gang comedies 20 years ago. Still sweet, but sexy as a French postcard, Gilda wants to do serious character parts in movies. She figures burlesque is good training. 'One reason I picked burlesque was to get recognition and get to the top quickly,' she said. 'I've been a dancer all my life, and I'm one of the few strippers who can keep time to music. My biggest gimmick is my hair,' she said, tossing a yard of shimmering gold around her shoulders. 'I start my strip with it up in a chignon, and gradually let it down.' Then she demonstrated by piling her 3-foot long tresses on top of her head in a sort of grecian bun, held by a coronet of jewelled pins. Suddenly, with a wiggle and a toss of her head, her hair twisted and fell to her waist. Gilda attended the Lillian Hunt school of burlesque on the west coast to prepare for her debut in the bigtime, but she has other goals beside stardom. She says that from this point on, 'I'm writing down everything that happens to me, and plan to write a book on burlesque as it actually is. They're always picturing the comics as beat up old drunks, and the girls as something you wouldn't dare bring home to mother. Actually, the morals in this business are higher than in Hollywood.' Gilda said she plans to call her book 'Silver Shoes,' after the silver shoes which every aspiring stripper must buy as basic attire. Although she enjoys her work, she said it is difficult keeping in condition, 'because I like to cook and to eat,' but four shows daily and five on Saturdays keep her 'in shape.' For the record, her vital statistics are: 35 inch bust, 23 inch waist and 36.5 inch hips. Gilda stands 5 foot 5 inches in bare feet and weighs 126 pounds."
July 5, 1955: Shirley, as Gilda, appeared at Club 509 in Detroit. That day's ad read "Last 6 Nights!" which suggests that this wasn't the start of the engagement. The Detroit Free Press reported that it was Jean Darling appearing at the club, and that she was in her third week there.

1956

Aug. 25, 1956: Shirley was divorced from David Measures. Within the following year, she would marry her booking agent, Jack Edwards.

1957

Mar. 1, 1957: Rick Du Brow of UPI reported that Shirley Jean Measures lost custody of her 7-year-old daughter the previous year to the child's grandmother.
Sep. 14, 1957: From the Associated Press: "Shirley Jean, the original little blonde vamp in the 'Little Rascals' TV films, has been a burlesque star under the name of Gilda for the last five years. The movies, originally the 'Our Gang' series, were made 25 years ago but today's kids can watch little Shirley Jean on TV while Pop enjoys her more sophisticated adult performance at the Fox burlesque house here. The former Shirley Jean Rickert now is the wife of Jack Edwards, Miami booking agent. Gilda's face looks remarkably like Shirley Jean's. There the resemblance ends. 'I was washed up in the movies at 12,' Gilda recalls, 'after the Our Gang and playing with Mickey Rooney in the Mickey McGuire series. Oh, I swam in some Esther Williams pictures and did some bits, but I was pretty much out of entertainment until I worked up a burlesque act five years ago. I have stayed off the regular burlesque circuits because I make more money playing independent theaters and night clubs. I can play the Miami clubs in the winter tourist season and be with my family. (I have a 6-year-old daughter named Melody who looks so much like Shirley Jean that it scares you!) I've got two ambitions - to clean up burlesque and to become a dress designer. Burlesque is the only thing left that's anything like vaudeville. Both trained many of our great actors, especially comedians. I contend that burlesque doesn't have to be smutty and can attract women as well as men.' Gilda had a go-around with a Toledo theater a few weeks ago because she refused to liven up her act. 'The girls play it stronger there than anyplace else in the country,' she says, 'but the theater had its biggest Saturday. I've learned more about timing and showmanship in burlesque than I did in 20 years in the movies.' She designs her own costumes (first layer) and makes gowns for several dancers. The return to 1920 styles she calls 'ridiculous.' 'If girls were supposed to look like boys,' she contends, 'they would have been built like boys.' "

1958

Oct. 29, 1958: From The Independent of Pasadena: "Burlesque stripper Shirley Jean Measures, 32, yesterday stipulated to the granting of custody of her 7-year-old daughter to the child's maternal grandmother. Superior Judge Harold W. Schweitzer granted custody to Mrs. Ruth F. Rickert, of 665 South Cochran Ave., who told the court she has raised Melody for the past four years. Mrs. Measures, who dances under the name of 'Gilda,' divorced her husband, David H. Measures, 37, Aug. 25, 1956. In the stipulation prepared by Atty. Herbert G. Staples, the dancer said it was in the 'best interest' of the child to live with her grandmother. Mrs. Rickert told the court the child's father, a bartender, hasn't visited the girl in more than eight months."
Dec. 1958: By this tiome, Shirley was performing in Detroit, where she also did a children's TV show on Saturday mornings.

1959

1959: Sometime during this year, Jack Edwards died. After this, Shirley went back to being Shirley Jean Measures, a name she retained for the rest of her life.
Nov. 22, 1959: From the Buffalo Courier Express: "After an eventful 30 years in show business, Shirley Jean Measures has retired. Her retirement age: 33. In those three decades, she made the circuit. She started as a star - a child star in Hollywood - and went on to movie bit player and dancer and finally became a stripteaser in theaters and nightclubs across the country. Now she is through with all of that. Now she has settled down in Buffalo. She is a barmaid. 'I guess I did things backwards,' she said. 'Some girls are waitresses or barmaids, get discovered, and become successful in show business. It happened just the other way around for me, but I'm happy.' 'I was in show business for 30 years,' she said. 'I've just had enough. I don't care if I never step on a stage again.' Shirley Jean decided to settle in Buffalo when friends offered her a job as a barmaid at the Billboard, Swan and Ellicott. She has been working at the nightclub for several weeks. She wanted to settle down so her daughter, Melody, 8, could live a normal life. Traveling from city to city, living out of a suitcase, eating in hash houses, is not the kind of life Shirley Jean wants for her daughter. 'My husband died a year ago,' she said, 'and Melody was living with my mother while I was on the road. Then my mother died. I didn't want Melody to travel, and I wouldn't let anyone else care for her, so I just decided to quit and try to live a normal life'... 'I never thought I'd ever become a burlesque dancer,' she said, 'but the pay was very good. When the chance came, I took it. But now, Gilda is dead. Long live Shirley Jean.' Behind the bar, she is slightly distracting. She wears her platinum blonde hair in a long pony-tail and smiles as if she enjoys her work. 'I've never been a barmaid before,' she said, 'but I was always interested in being one. Maybe someday I'll be able to open my own club. It's fun. And I can mix a pretty good cocktail, too.' " Elsewhere, the article claims that Shirley was in the Our Gang series for four years and made about 100 films, but the rest of it is probably relatively accurate. The age of her daughter at any given time varies widely depending on which newspaper article one is reading. This one says she was 8 in 1959, while another says she was 7 in 1956, and still another says she was 5 in 1961, and it doesn't appear that Shirley had more than one child.

1960

1960: In the 1966 article for the Buffalo Evening News Magazine, Shirley stated that she had been a typist for E. F. Smith Associates for six years, which would mean that she was hired in 1960. She also states that she initially did dressmaking when she first moved to Buffalo, but this must have been in addition to her regular jobs. It's also unclear whether she initially lived in the city of Buffalo itself, or in the suburb of Grand Island, but it's fairly clear that she was in Grand Island within a few years after moving to the area. At some point, she began working in the sales department of the Regional Professional Theater in Buffalo.

1962

June 2, 1962: The Buffalo Evening News Magazine reported that Shirley was playing a lead role in Goodbye My Fancy for the Island Theater Group in Grand Island. For the next production, Ethan Frome, Shirley was set to be in charge of lighting and stage production. She was also working in the PTA and Campfire Girls. The article also adds a few other jobs that Shirley had after leaving the film business: saleslady, hat-check girl, night club photographer, professional softball player (left fielder for the Hollywood Shamrocks) and professional roller skater.

1965

Aug. 9, 1965: From the Buffalo Evening News: "The Grand Island Theater Group's fall production of the musical comedy Plain & Fancy will be sponsored by the Grand Island Junior Chamber of Commerce as a fundraising project...The Grand Island presentation will be directed by Mrs. Elizabeth Beach. Mr. and Mrs. William Pinkow will be vocal and music directors and Shirley Jean Measures, choreographer. Performances will be given Oct. 15-17 in the Grand Island Junior-Senior High School."

1966

Feb. 26, 1966: The Buffalo Evening News listed Mary, Mary by the Island Theater Group among its upcoming openings. It was set to play Thursday to Sunday, which would mean March 3rd to 6th. Listed first among the players was Shirley Jean Measures.
Mar. 26, 1966: The Buffalo Evening News Magazine published an article on Shirley, in which she spoke at length about her years in show business. She gets a few details wrong, stating that Spanky was in the Our Gang series at the same time as her, that she was in the series for four years, freelanced for several years, and then spent three years with Mickey McGuire. At the present time, she was still a typist for E. F. Smith, where she had been for the last five years. "My only connection now with show business, you might say, is the Island Theater Group. I directed Thurber's Carnival for them, and I'm going to direct Seven Days In May. Sometimes I am the electrician."

1967

Oct. 26, 1967: From the Buffalo Evening News: "The Island Theater Group will conduct tryouts for Barefoot In The Park from 7 to 9 PM this evening and Friday (the 27th) in the Community Center on Fix Rd. Mrs. Shirley Jean Measures will direct the play."
Nov. 29, 1967: From the Buffalo Evening News: "Neil Simon's popular comedy Barefoot In The Park will be performed by the Island Theater Group Dec. 7-9 at 8:30 PM in the Huth School on Grand Island. Shirley Jean Measures will direct a cast which includes Liz Baker as the bride's mother, Gayle Vaillancourt as the young bride, Jerry Gauvin as the groom, R. C. Jarron and William Askew."

1968

June 6, 1968: From the Buffalo Evening News: "A comedy on politics, The Girls In 509, will be presented this evening, tomorrow and Saturday (the 8th) by the Island Theater Group on the stage of the Huth Rd. Elementary School, Huth Rd., Grand Island. The players' final production of the season is co-sponsored by the Grand Island Rotary Club. In director Pat Zoltoski's cast are Elizabeth Beach, Kitty Zoeckler, Shirley Jean Measures, Michael Fischetti, Richard Waring, Robert Jarron and Jack Martin. Curtain time is 8:30."
Aug. 6, 1968: From the Buffalo Evening News: "The Grand Island Theater Group will conduct tryouts for the musical Oklahoma! at 8:30 PM Monday and next Tuesday in the Community Center at Fix Rd. and Legion Dr. The production will be presented Oct. 25-26 in the Grand Island High School on Ransom Rd. Mrs. Shirley Jean Measures will direct. Mr. and Mrs. William Pinkow will be in charge of musical arrangements."
Oct. 25, 1968: The Buffalo Evening News included Oklahoma! among the shows opening that day. Two performances, at 8:30 PM on the 25th and 26th would be given at the Grand Island Junior-Senior High School on Ransom Rd. Shirley Jean Measures was listed as the director.
Oct. 26, 1968: From the Buffalo Evening News: "The Island Theater Group opened its eighth season Friday with a well-paced rendition of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma! Sibby Ditando and Jean Lange play the leading couple. Show-stealers are Ron Gellatly as Ali Hakim, the itinerant peddler who becomes involved in the local romances, and Lucille Gervase as Ado Annie, the girl who "Cain't Say No.' In spite of some third act difficulties with lines, the show moved along well, under the direction of Shirley Jean Measures. The 24-piece orchestra, conducted by William Pinkow, overpowering on occasions, otherwise provided a well-rehearsed background."

1971

May 3, 1971: From the Buffalo Evening News: "Elizabeth Beach in the title role heads director Ron Swick's cast of 35 in Auntie Mame, the concluding presentation of the Island Theater Group opening May 14 in the Huth Rd. School auditorium, Grand Island. Major supporting roles are held by Shirley Jean Measures, Bill Anderholt, Chuck Van Dusen and Scott Davis...Performances continue May 15, 21 and 22 with an 8:30 PM curtain each night."

1972

May 3, 1972: From the Buffalo Evening News: "Courtyard Theater plans to open its comedy The Death And Life Of Sneaky Fitch by James L. Rosenberg on May 13 at 8:30 PM, additional performances Fridays and Saturdays through early June." Listed among the cast is Shirley Measures.
Mid-1972: Shirley moved to Springfield, MA, where she became a sales representative for the Stage West theater group.
Dec. 9, 1972: The Recorder of Greenfield, MA, reported on a performance of Henrik Ibsen's Hedda Gabler at Stage West in nearby Springfield. Playing the role of Berte was Shirley Jean Measures.

1973

Oct. 6, 1973: From the Transcript-Telegram of Holyoke, MA: "The Holyoke Lions Club will meet at noon on Thursday (the 11th) at the Holyoke House, Suffolk St. Guest speaker will be Shirley Jean Measures, group sales representative for Stage West who will host a slide presentation."

1974

Mar. 25, 1974: The Transcript-Telegram of Holyoke, MA, reported that Stage West would be presenting the children's play "The Brave Little Tailor" the week of April 30. Teachers wanting to bring their classes to the performances would need to contact Shirley Jean Measures.
Apr. 3, 1974: From the Transcript-Telegram of Holyoke, MA: "The United Methodist Women will hold their monthly meeting tonight at 7:30 in the church vestry of the United Methodist Church, South Hadley. Mrs. Shirley Jean Measures of Stage West will present the program, entitled From Child Star To Company Manager."
Apr. 18, 1974: The Transcript-Telegram of Holyoke, MA, reported that "The Brave Little Tailor" would be performed on April 30th, and May 1st to 4th.
Nov. 6, 1974: From the Daily Hampshire Gazette: "The winter meeting of the Connecticut Valley Simmons Club will be Nov. 16 at the home of Mrs. James Duffy, 20 Brown St., Palmer...Shirley Jean Measures, sales manager at Stage West, will speak on From Child Star To Sales Manager, and will illustrate her talk with slides. Ms. Measures started her career at age two in Our Gang comedies, came to Stage West in 1972 as secretary, and has played in such Stage West productions as The Drunkard."
Dec. 30, 1974: Shirley made a personal appearance at Stage West in West Springfield, MA. The Marx Brothers film "Monkey Business" was shown, preceded by one of Shirley's Our Gang appearances. Shirley also answered questions and presided over a trivia contest.

1975

Feb. 8, 1975: The Recorder of Greenfield, MA, reported on the upcoming Annual Creative Arts Festival at Mohawk Trail Regional High School in Shelburne Falls. Among the events scheduled to happen on Friday the 14th, was a slide lecture and discussion on child acting by Shirley Jean Measures of Stage West.
Feb. 20, 1975: The Transcript-Telegram of Holyoke, MA, reported that Shirley "showed movies and discussed the making of a play and action behind the scenes" at Willimansett American Legion Hall on Friday, which would also be February 14th. Assuming the newspaper reporting is accurate, she must have had a busy day that Friday.
Apr. 8, 1975: The Daily Hampshire Gazette of Northampton, MA, included a review of The Guardsman, the latest Stage West production which was set to continue through April 12th. Shirley Measures provided the choreography.
Sep. 2, 1975: The Bridgeport Post (CT) reported that Shirley would be giving her slide show on Monday the 8th in the hall of the Trumbull Congregational Church.
Sep. 11, 1975: From the Transcript-Telegram of Holyoke, MA: "The Franco American Women Voters Association will hold the initial meeting of the 1975-76 season, Wednesday, Sept. 24, at 7:30 p.m. in the parish hall of the Nativity of the B.V.M. Church on Chicopee St. Mrs. Eva Matte, president, will conduct the business session. Guest speaker will be former child star in Hollywood, Shirley Jean Measures, now sales director at Chateau de Ville Dinner Theatre. A star of 'Our Gang' and 'Little Rascals' movies, she will show movies she starred in and show slides of Chateau de Ville."
Oct. 28, 1975: Shirley was a featured speaker at a Rotary dinner meeting in Suffield Inn in Hartford, CT.

Woman Is episode (guest appearance): Mar. 4 - WGBY/PBS - 30 min. - TV episode; Local program in Springfield, MA.

1976

June 1976: By this time, Shirley had moved to Connecticut and become sales manager at the Hartman Theater Company in Stamford. In addition to the business side of things, she also occasionally acted with the company.
Sep. 6, 1976: From the Bridgeport Sunday Post (CT): "Shirley Measures, sales director of the Hartman Theater company, will speak to the members of the Exchange club at their weekly luncheon meeting on Thursday (the 9th) at the Italian center."
Oct. 6, 1976: Shirley was a guest speaker at a meeting of the Fifth Wheel club in Fairfield, CT.
Nov. 18, 1976: Shirley was a guest speaker at a meeting of the Chai Chapter of the Women's League for Israel.

1977

June 19, 1977: From the Bridgeport Sunday Post: "Shirley Jean Measures, the sales director for Hartman Theater, tells us that advance ticket orders for the theater's third season student matinees are being filled rapidly. 'With more than five months to go to the first student performances, more then 650 Connecticut and New York school students have already signed up to see the Hartman's productions,' she said."
Circa Mid-July 1977: Shirley became director of consumer marketing for the Fairfield Processing Co. of Danbury, CT. It was during her time with this company that they organized their first annual Stuffed Toys Contest. Contestants entering the contest would create needlecraft dolls and animals, with the only requirement being that they had to stuff the toys with Poly-Fil, a product of the Fairfield company. Shirley spent the next couple of years distributing the toys to children's hospitals around the country. This is all according to the Bridgeport Sunday Post of July 31st.
Nov. 30, 1977: Shirley appeared on the Carolyn Churchman radio program on WXLW in Indianapolis.
Dec. 1, 1977: Shirley distributed hundreds of stuffed toys at Noble I Gym in Indianapolis.
Dec. 2, 1977: The Indianapolis Star reported that Shirley had worked as a management consultant, for a radio station and in regional theaters.
Dec. 6, 1977: From The Evening Sun of Baltimore: "Toys and checks will be presented December 7 at parties to be held at three city hospitals by the men and women of Variety Club Tent 19...Festivities will include - besides toys - clowns, ice cream, cookies and a former member of 'Our Gang Comedies,' Shirley Jean Measures."

1978

Jan. 5, 1978: From the Fort Worth Star-Telegram: "'Everything I've ever done in my whole life has led up to this,' says Shirley Jean Measures, gesturing around a room filled with stuffed dolls and animals in all the colors of the rainbow, each an example of needlecraft art. Ms. Measures, former child star of Our Gang and Little Rascals comedies in Hollywood, came to Fort Worth to present about 500 toys to youngsters at Fort Worth Children's Hospital on Wednesday (the 4th)."
Feb. 23, 1978: From The Spokesman-Review of Spokane: "Children in five Spokane hospitals will receive more than 100 stuffed toys today from representatives of the Washington State Grange and Fairfield Processing Corp., Danbury, Conn., co-sponsors of the First Annual Stuffed Toy Contest, a Fairfield spokesman said. Mary Richmond, director of women's activities for the grange, and former child film star Shirley Jean Measures, director of consumer marketing at Fairfield, will present the toys to youngsters at Sacred Heart Medical Center, St. Luke's Memorial Hospital, Holy Family Hospital, Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children and Deaconess Hospital. All toys from the national contest are donated to hospitals following judging, the spokesman said."
Mar. 7, 1978: From the Durham Morning Herald (NC) out of Chapel Hill: "Shirley Jean Measures, a star of the old Our Gang-Little Rascals comedies, presented more than 100 stuffed toys to children at North Carolina Memorial Hospital Monday (the 6th). The toys, all hand-made, were award-winning entries in a national stuffed toy contest sponsored by the National Grange and the Fairfield Processing Corporation."
Nov. 8, 1978: From The Hartford Courant: "Shirley Jean Measures, the little blonde with spit curls in the Our Gang and Little Rascals silent comedies of 40 years ago, will be in Hartford Sunday (the 9th) at the benefit Dolls, Dollhouses and Miniature show. The 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. show will be in the ballroom of the Hartford Hilton. Proceeds will benefit the American Cancer Society. The former child star, who is currently the manager of the Golden Fleece store in New Milford, will display her miniature needlepoint kits and small-scale furnishings and run some of her old films."

1979

Circa 1979: At some point, Shirley began selling machine shop parts around Connecticut for Kar Products, Inc., a company based in Des Plaines, IL. The fact that newspaper articles covering her activities with Fairfield dry up by this time suggests that this happened around 1979.

1982

Hawkes Eyeview episode (guest appearance): May 20, 1982 - WGBY/PBS - 30 min. - TV episode; Local program in Springfield, MA.

1984

Our Gang: Inside The Clubhouse (archival): May 8, 1984 - Lang/Camellia City Telecasters - 93 mins. - TV documentary; Includes footage from "Helping Grandma," and "Bargain Day."

1986

Classic Comedy Teams (archival): 1986 - Bergamn-Harris/Movietime/GoodTimes - video documentary; Includes footage from "The Stolen Jools."

1993

Aug. 29, 1993: Shirley was featured in an Associated Press article. During this period, she would occasionally make personal appearances to help kick off Our Gang showings in local theaters. Otherwise, she was still working for Kar Products.

1994

July 13 to 17, 1994: Shirley attended the Sons of the Desert 9th International Convention at the Westchester Marriott in Tarrytown, NY, on these dates. On July 15th, she was one of several Our Gang kids taking questions as part of a celebrity panel.
Aug. 12, 1994: Shirley was featured in an article for The Hartford Courant. In addition to her job with Kar Products, she was also designing clothes for Common Thread during this period. She had been married three times, two of which ended in divorce and one of which ended in death, and had no intention of marrying again.

The Our Gang Story (archival): 1994 - Film Shows/GoodTimes - 120 min. - video documentary; Includes footage from "The Stolen Jools" and "Fly My Kite."

1995

July 10, 1995: Shirley, along with Tommy Bond, Dorothy De Borba, and Jerry Tucker, attended a dinner at the Fox Hollow Inn in Woodbury, NY, sponsored by the local chapter of Sons of the Desert.

2001

July 26 to 29, 2001: Shirley took part in the 5th annual Thelma Todd Celebration at Lawrence Heritage State Park in Massachusetts. Joining her were Jerry Tucker and Jean Darling.
Oct. 6, 2001: Shirley attended the West Out West 34th Annual Banquet at the Pickwick Banquet Center in Burbank, along with several other Our Gang kids.

2002

May 11, 2002: Shirley gave demonstrations of various quilting techniques at the Berkshire Country Day School in Stockbridge, MA.
2002: Shirley lost everything but her car, house slippers and purse, in an apartment fire in Esperance, NY. After this, she moved to nearby Milton.

2003

Apr. 26, 2003: Shirley took part in the 18th Annual Doo Dah Parade at Ocean City, NJ.
June 12 to 14, 2003: Shirley took part in the 32nd Memphis Film Festival in Memphis.
2003: Shirley appeared as "The Chef" in a production of Woody Allen's Don't Drink The Water put on by a repertory company called Stillwater Players Among Others.

2005

Dec. 13, 2005: A newsstory was written about Shirley, reporting that she was currently living under public assistance and in ill health. She had had several heart attacks and suffered from emphysema, requiring her to use an oxygen tube.

Shirley Jean Rickert's payroll history

The following is a list of most of Shirley's history at the Roach studio, with the amounts she was making from week to week. The dates given are Saturdays, the last day of each week at the studio. The only exceptions would be Saturdays that were also holidays, in which case the Friday date is used for those weeks.

Aug. 2, 1930 - 60.00 charged to prod. G37 (Helping Grandma)
Initially a day player, Shirley was given $10 checks on all six of the workdays this week.
Aug. 9, 1930 - 30.00 charged to prod. G37
Shirley was given $10 checks on Aug. 4th, 5th and 6th.

After this, another week or so passed before Shirley was signed to a longterm contract.

Aug. 23, 1930 - 25.00 charged to prod. G37
Aug. 30, 1930 - 25.00 charged to prod. G37
Sep. 6, 1930 - 75.00 charged to prod. G38 (Love Business)
Sep. 13, 1930 - 75.00 charged to prod. G38
Sep. 20, 1930 - 75.00 charged to prod. G38
Sep. 27, 1930 - 25.00 charged to prod. G38
Oct. 4, 1930 - 25.00 charged to prod. G38
Oct. 11, 1930 - 25.00 charged to prod. G38
Oct. 18, 1930 - 25.00 charged to prod. G38
Oct. 25, 1930 - 25.00 charged to prod. G38
Nov. 1, 1930 - 75.00 charged to prod. G39 (Little Daddy)
Nov. 8, 1930 - 75.00 charged to prod. G39
Nov. 15, 1930 - 75.00 charged to prod. G39
Nov. 22, 1930 - 25.00 charged to prod. G39
Nov. 29, 1930 - 25.00 charged to prod. G39
Dec. 6, 1930 - 25.00 charged to prod. G39
Dec. 13, 1930 - 25.00 charged to prod. G39

Much of the week ending Dec. 20th and the entirety of the week ending Dec. 27th are missing from the payroll ledger, but filming began on Bargain Day during this period.

Jan. 3, 1931 - 25.00 charged to prod. G40 (Bargain Day)
Jan. 10, 1931 - 25.00 charged to prod. G40
Jan. 17, 1931 - 25.00 charged to prod. G40
Jan. 24, 1931 - 25.00 charged to prod. G40
Jan. 31, 1931 - 75.00 charged to prod. G40
Feb. 7, 1931 - 75.00 charged to prod. G40
Feb. 14, 1931 - 25.00 charged to prod. G40
Feb. 21, 1931 - 25.00 charged to prod. G40
Feb. 28, 1931 - 75.00 charged to prod. G41 (Fly My Kite)
Mar. 7, 1931 - 75.00 charged to prod. G41
Mar. 14, 1931 - 75.00 charged to prod. G41

After this, Shirley's contract was terminated and she moved on to film projects away from the Roach studio. She did, however, return to the studio six months later to work in the Boy Friends comedy Love Pains, though I don't have the payroll information for that. She also turned up at the studio almost four years later for one day of work.

June 15, 1935 - 7.50 charged to "publicity"
On June 15th, $47.50 was charged to "publicity," and a list of six checks issued to six day players, all child actors, added up to the same amount. There were, around this time, photo sessions in which the Our Gang kids modeled clothing, and a taller blonde girl in some of the photos could be Shirley.

See anything that needs changing? Contact me at BtheW@aol.com.