Without the Good Ship Lollipop

Is Dakota Fanning the new Shirley Temple?

Back in the 1930s, the dimple-cheeked mop top was the most popular child star of her day. Singing and dancing away audiences’ blues during the Depression, she starred in such hits as “Poor Little Rich Girl,” “Wee Willie Winkie” and “Captain January.” She also was cast opposite some of the biggest stars of the day including Oscar winners Lionel Barrymore, Warner Baxter and Victor McLaglen. John Ford was among her directors.

Today, Fanning, just a month shy of her 11th birthday, has proved herself to be the child star of her era.

The diminutive, saucer-eyed actress has more than held her own opposite leading men including Sean Penn in “I Am Sam” and Denzel Washington in “Man on Fire.”

Though Temple was rarely given the chance to tackle diverse projects, Fanning has established her mettle in comedies, dramas, thrillers and sci-fi tales. Three years ago, she became the youngest person to receive a Screen Actors Guild nomination for her supporting performance in “I Am Sam.” Astute for her age, she brings intelligence and maturity to her parts without losing her innocence.

Her latest leading man is two-time Oscar winner Robert De Niro in the thriller “Hide and Seek,” which opens Friday.

Fanning, who eschewed her blond locks for a darker mane, plays a lonely girl with an imaginary friend.

Since completing “Hide and Seek,” Fanning has teamed with Kurt Russell for a still untitled family film about horse racing and with Tom Cruise in Steven Spielberg’s remake of “War of the Worlds.”