Films › Kid 'in' Hollywood (1933)
Kid 'in' Hollywood
Baby Burlesks #5: a pre-Code parody of the Hollywood star-making system with Shirley Temple as 'Morelegs Sweettrick.'
Production Background
Kid 'in' Hollywood was released March 14, 1933, the fifth installment in the Baby Burlesks series. The 10–11 minute short was directed by Charles Lamont and produced by Jack Hays for Educational Pictures, with distribution through Educational Film Exchanges, Universal Pictures and Fox Film.
Shirley Temple, four years old at release, played the character listed in the Shirley Temple filmography as 'Morelegs Sweettrick' — a child-actor riff on the studio-era pin-up archetype.
Synopsis
A specific plot summary for Kid 'in' Hollywood is not provided in the Wikipedia sources consulted. The title and character name indicate a parody of the Hollywood star-making process in the Baby Burlesks tradition of dressing preschoolers in adult clothing for satire of contemporary cinema.
Cast & Crew
- Director: Charles Lamont
- Producer: Jack Hays
- Shirley Temple as: Morelegs Sweettrick
Behind the Scenes
Production particulars specific to this short are not documented in the Wikipedia sources consulted. As elsewhere in the series, Temple was paid $10 a day, and Charles Lamont directed (he helmed seven of the eight Baby Burlesks). Temple later described the series as 'a cynical exploitation of our childish innocence' that 'were sometimes racist or sexist.'
The character name 'Morelegs Sweettrick' is a riff on Marlene Dietrich, fitting the Baby Burlesks pattern of using punning takes on famous adult stars.
Reception & Legacy
No contemporary critical record is documented in the Wikipedia sources consulted. As of 2009 the Baby Burlesks shorts including Kid 'in' Hollywood were available on videocassette and DVD; the short is also accessible on the Internet Archive.
Fun Facts
- Released March 14, 1933.
- The fifth Baby Burlesks short.
- Shirley Temple was credited as 'Morelegs Sweettrick.'
- Directed by Charles Lamont, produced by Jack Hays.
- Made for Educational Pictures.
- Runtime is approximately 10–11 minutes.
- Distributed via Educational Film Exchanges, Universal, and Fox Film.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Kid 'in' Hollywood about?
It's a 10–11 minute pre-Code Baby Burlesks parody of the Hollywood star-making system, with Shirley Temple credited as 'Morelegs Sweettrick.' Wikipedia does not include a full plot summary.
Was Kid 'in' Hollywood Shirley Temple's first film?
No. It was her fifth Baby Burlesks appearance, released March 14, 1933.
How old was Shirley Temple in Kid 'in' Hollywood?
She was four years old at release (born April 23, 1928).
Is Kid 'in' Hollywood in the public domain?
Wikipedia does not formally state its copyright status, but the short circulates freely and is hosted on the Internet Archive.
Where can I watch Kid 'in' Hollywood for free?
The Internet Archive hosts the short; shirleytemplefilms.com embeds the Internet Archive player.