In 1937, when the 20th Century Fox studio was on the verge of bankruptcy, the child star’s popularity saved the studio, according to Biography.com. As TV audiences today glean on to the adult-like antics of reality show stars such as Honey Boo Boo, Shirley Temple films remind us that innocence, unlike sass and drama, feels pretty darn good.

AP/FILE
In this 1936 file photo, 8-year-old American child star Shirley Temple is portrayed in Hollywood, Calif.