Sunday, February 23, 1936 - A Movie and Sunday School

 

"Mother clean the bedroom for me.  Billy and I went to the show.  We had to wait about 2 hours before we could get in.  I went to Sunday School today and got 12 papers.  I washed my stockings out so they will be clean for School."


I wonder what movie it was?

Saturday, February 22, 1936 - Trying to Make Candy without Kerosene

"Mother, Daddy and Jack went to the show.  I got some candy ready to cook and there wasn't any kerosine.  When Mother, Daddy and Jack got home we had lunch.  I cut pictures out of papers for Billy."

 

Monday, February 10, 1936 - "The snow comes up to my waist in some places"

 

"Mother and Daddy and Billy went to the show.  Jack and I made Valentines.  Bob made Johnny cake.  for dinner.  We didn't have to go to School.  The roads are not plowed.  The snow comes up to my waist in some places."

Interesting that they couldn't get to school, but they could get to the theater!

Saturday, January 25, 1936 - Magazines for Shirley and Jack

 

"Mother bought Jack a Mickey Mouse magazine.  She got me a playmate magazine.  Mother and Daddy went to the show.  We read stories out of them.  One storie out of my book is Tick Tock Tower.  We want to get the March magazine of Children's Playmate.  We've got the January magazine now."

I found a copy of the January issue of Children's Playmate on Amazon with photos here.  While I found information online about the history of Mickey Mouse magazine, the precursor to the comic books, I didn't find specific history about the publication of Children's Playmate. 

Friday, January 17, 1936 - Three Movies

 

"I did not go to school this morning because Joyce had a ear ache, but I went this after noon.  I went to the Strand to see Shirley Temple in the littlest Rebel, and our gang Frollies [sic], and The little mice.  The little mice were in color."


I could not find a movie or cartoon named The Little Mice by searching Google, IMBD, or Wikipedia.  I did find a short color cartoon called Three Lazy Mice, released July 15, 1936 which can be viewed on YouTube here. 

According to CinemaTreasures.org, the Strand Theatre, 22-27 East Broadway Avenue, was built in Muskegon Heights in 1923 in a mixed-use retail and apartment building.  It had one screen and 843 seats.  A photo of what it probably looked like when Shirley attended movies there can be see here.  Since 2001, attempts have been made to restore and renovate the historic building.

Thursday, January 16, 1936 - Helping Uncle Angie

 

"today I went to Angie's house.  Jack helped Angie carry some wood to his house.  Jack ate supper to Angie's house.  Marie Server came over to play tonight.  We played cards.  I wanted to go to the show tonight but I couldn't go."

It sounds like the family was helping Angie prepare his home in anticipation of his marriage.  I need to figure out where this house was located.  

Saturday, January 11, 1936 - Mutiny on the Bounty

"We went to the show today and saw Mutiny on the Bounty.  I didn't like it.  I didn't get up early this morning because I have to get up early on school days and on Sunday so we sleep on Saturday.  we got back from the show about 15 to 6. P. M.  I poped some pop corn."

Shirley was a tough movie critic!  Mutiny on the Bounty (1935), starring Charles Laughton and Clark Gable, was "a huge box office success, becoming the highest-grossing film of 1935 and one of MGM's biggest hits of the 1930s. The film went on to win the Academy Award for Best Picture." [Wikipedia]

Shirley probably went to the movie with Jack, since their mother had given them permission to attend earlier in the week.

 

Thursday, January 2, 1936 - The Snow House

 

"today Bob, Jack, and I built a snow house. We have every thing but the roof built. Jack, Bill, and I had a snow ball fight. Mother and daddy went to the show. Daddy and Jack and I took down our Christmas tree. Joyce wanted to scribble in this diary. Joyce went to bed tonigt at 9.30 P.M. instead of 8.30 P.M."

This photo of Bob Robbins was taken in the backyard
 of the Austin Street house, January 1936.
It's possible that is the snow house behind him and to his right.

Wednesday, January 1, 1936 - New Year's Day

 

"I went to the show today and saw Will Rogers in old Kentuckey. Grandma and Granfather Kenfield visited at our house today. I showed Grandma my Christmas present. I got a diary, sewing set, dishes, color book, story book, paper dolls, eversharp, new testament, stable cut out for Christmas."

It looks like Shirley had had a very nice Christmas!