Grudge Match: Shirley Temple vs. W.C. Fields

This may be one of them irresistible force vs. immovable object scenarios:



Shirley Temple, in her usual movie persona as the adorable spunky curly-head who eventually melts the heart of every adult she meets, needs to ingratiate herself with a crusty middle-aged man who seems immune to her charm. This middle-aged man is W.C. Fields, in his usual persona as a guy who starts and ends the picture hating children -- especially spunky, adorable children. Does Shirley melt Bill's heart? Does Bill treat her as just another, slightly less objectionable Baby Leroy? Or is this a '30s stalemate? And most importantly, what silly name will Fields be using this time?



I'll probably pick Shirley simply because the power of her clichés is greater than the power of Fields's. Fields, due to the rules of Hollywood and Broadway, did play quite a few people who learn to love children and adopt adorable little girls. Shirley, on the other hand, is loved by all in just about every movie she ever made. So unfortunately, I doubt Bill will be a match for her evil powers of sentimentality. But maybe he can insult her a few times before he succumbs.