The reverse side of a 1941 ACME wire-service photograph preserves its original press caption: child film star Shirley Temple served as guest of honor and 'belle of the ball' at a formal military academy cotillion in Los Angeles, escorted by a cadet sergeant. Distributed nationally on February 19, 1941, this human-interest item reflects both Golden Age Hollywood celebrity culture and the social traditions of American military academies, whose formal dances brought cadets and prominent guests together for an evening of dancing and dining. Project: 218639