The Iconic Silk Taffeta Dress and Bonnet Worn by Shirley Temple in "The Little Colonel"

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Of crisp ivory silk taffeta, the dress features a fitted bodice with petal-shaped sleevelets, and very full skirt with three tiers of scalloped ruffles trimmed with silk chiffon roses that are repeated on the shoulders. Beneath the gown is a petticoat with cutwork trim, a hooped petticoat, and long pantalets with four rows of lace alternating with rows of tucking. Included is the original matching bonnet of robin's egg blue satin with graduated width brim, blue silk streamers, and trimmed with rose chiffon petals and a grand white boa feather. There is frailty to the taffeta and some repairs. Included is a vintage photograph of Shirley Temple wearing the gown. The costume was created by British-born William Lambert, whose initial work at the Hal Roach Studios included a gown worn by Mabel Normand in the 1926 film "Raggedy Rose", that bears a close resemblance to this present design which he later created for Shirley Temple in The Little Colonel. Lambert was costume designer at Fox Studios from 1933-1936, and two of his most important works were this present gown and The Pink Party gown worn by Shirley at the conclusion of The Little Colonel (#79 of this book). The iconic costume was worn by Shirley Temple during pivotal scenes in the 1935 film "The Little Colonel", notably when she appears before her grandfather, having changed from her raggedy dress, to sing "Love's Young Dream", and then plays toy soldier games with him.