Judy Garland endured serious mistreatment from studio executives during her adolescence. But at 32 she came back singing. What was her comeback movie?
The date is June 10th, Monday, and today I’m coming to you from Santiago de Chile.
Today is the birthday of Judy Garland, American actress, singer, and entertainer. Her career as a bright star left an indelible mark on American entertainment, though in her personal life she struggled with body-image and addiction.
Judy Garland was born as Frances Ethel Gumm in 1922 in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, to former vaudeville performers. She was the youngest of three sisters and from the age of two was performing in vaudeville acts, directed by her mother. Her father owned the local theater in their Midwest town.
In 1926 the Gumm family moved to Lancaster, California to escape rumors that their father had propositioned ushers at his theater. They bought another theater, performing vaudeville between films and on special occasions, such as Christmas. With the close proximity to Hollywood, Ethel Gumm, Judy’s mother, hustled to get the sisters bookings and landed them a few onscreen performances in short films.
The “Gumm Sisters” while touring the vaudeville circuit in the early ‘30s changed their name to the “Garland Sisters.” The story of the name change varies, but Judy’s daughter Lorna Luft recounted that the sisters adopted the name “Garland” after being introduced as “prettier than a garland of flowers.” Frances then adopted the first name Judy, inspired by a popular song.
In 1935, Judy Garland got her big break. A talent scout from MGM saw her perform with the Garland sisters at the Orpheum Theater in Los Angeles. After a quick singing audition a few days later at the MGM studio, the youngest Garland sister was offered a contract. At age 13, Judy was thrust into the adult world of entertainment.
Tragically, just two months year after signing with MGM, Judy’s father passed away of meningitis. This is mere speculation, but Judy’s tough time in the studio system in her young teens maybe have been partly a result of the lack of adults in her corner looking out for her. The studio, like many businesses, viewed Judy as a money-maker first, person second.
She received the worst treatment from studio executive Louis Mayer. He referred to the newly signed Garland as “fat” and an “ugly duckling,” and put Garland on multiple diets, all incredibly inappropriate for a still developing young teen girl. One of those diets, reportedly restricted Garland to a diet of coffee, cigarettes, chicken soup, and diet pills, which were possibly amphetamines. The studio, particularly Mayor, continued to exert control over her diet throughout her contract resulting in Garland’s severe body-issues and eating disorders. The early introduction to pills may have had a hand in Garland’s addictions later in life.
No matter what Garland’s weight was though, it was her voice that captured audiences. Without Garland’s rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” would The Wizard of Oz be the beloved movie it is today?
Next to The Wizard of Oz, Garland’s most remembered roles are Esther Smith in Meet Me in St. Louis and as Esther/Vicki in the 1954 version of A Star is Born.
A Star is Born was a comeback movie for Garland. She had been absent from the limelight for a number of years after becoming a mother to future star Liza Minnelli, going through a mental breakdown, and a divorce. At age 32, Garland’s contralto voice is just as strong and imbued with emotion as she sings “The Man That Got Away” in A Star is Born.
With the success of the movie she went on to do a number of TV appearances and sing in concert. Her performance at Carnegie Hall in 1961, resulted in the album Judy at Carnegie Hall which went certified gold and spent 13 weeks at number one. It went on to win four Grammys, including Best Album of the Year, making Judy Garland the first female artist to receive the award.
In addition to her four Grammys, Judy Garland received a Juvenile Academy Award, a Golden Globe, and a Special Tony Award in addition to many nominations.
First Fig
Edna St. Vincent Millay
My candle burns at both ends;
It will not last the night;
But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends—
It gives a lovely light!
Wishing you a good morning, a better day, and a lovely evening.