Judy Garland played little Dorothy in the well-known 1939 film. The filming of The Wizard of Oz occurred in 1938, when Judy was only 16 years old. Evidence has been brought up that Shirley Temple was originally supposed to play Dorothy, but I'm not sure about that part. At any rate, Judy's performance of "Over the Rainbow" is probably the most famous performance of the song, and, personally, my favorite. For a sixteen-year-old, Judy did a phenomenal job in that flawless performance. I have tried singing it, and I CANNOT do it as beautifully as she did! It is a very difficult song.
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| Poster for Meet Me in St. Louis (I own nothing.) |
Originally, Judy was very reluctant, and practically against, doing the picture, because she had read the script and didn't want her character to be overshadowed by 8-year-old Margaret O'Brien's character ("Tootie" Smith, Esther's sister). But, then, an older man who knew Garland personally (whose name I cannot recall) read out the script to Garland, omitting most of O'Brien's parts, and Garland then agreed to do the picture. Ironically, O'Brien now looks back and recalls Judy treating her like a little sister, being nothing but kind to her.
The director of Meet Me in St. Louis was a man named Vincente Minnelli, and he and Judy got along
Judy Garland debuted two songs in Meet Me in St. Louis: "The Trolley Song," and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." To this day, I just adore Judy Garland's performance of the gorgeous Christmas song.
Another good movie starring Judy Garland is the movie Easter Parade. It reminds me of the 1964 movie "My Fair Lady" (starring Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison). Filmed in 1948, Easter Parade is about Don Hewes (Fred Astaire), a ballroom dancer whose dancing partner and woman he loves (Nadine Hale, played by Ann Miller) abandons him in order to take a job in Chicago. He takes on the self-assigned challenge of training bar dancer Hannah Brown (Judy Garland) so that she can take Nadine's place. He is disrespectful to her in many instances, and they ultimately end up a couple. All of the songs were classics written by Irving Berlin (who wrote well-known songs such as "Puttin' on the Ritz," "Alexander's Ragtime Band," "God Bless America," and "White Christmas"), and at one point during the filming of Easter Parade, Irving Berlin pulled Judy Garland to the side and began to give her tips on singing his songs. As reported, 26-year-old Judy straightened up to her full height of 4 feet 11 inches and retorted something along the lines of, "You write 'em, and I'll sing 'em, buddy!"
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| Cover of "Easter Parade" starring Fred Astaire and Judy Garland (I own nada.) |
Another interesting fact about Easter Parade is this: believe it or not, Fred Astaire was NOT supposed to play Don Hewes! Originally, famous actor/singer/dancer Gene Kelly (who starred in the hit Singin' in the Rain) was cast as the ballroom dancer. Just prior to production, however, Kelly broke his ankle in a volleyball match. Because he didn't think Louis B. Mayer (of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer) would respond well to the truth, Kelly told Mayer that he had broken it while rehearsing an extremely difficult dance move. Astaire had announced his retirement from the film industry, but Kelly suggested that Mayer call up good old Daddy Long Legs. He did, and Fred called Kelly and asked if he was absolutely sure he didn't want this picture. Kelly responded with, "Fred, you'll be doing me a favor, 'cause they think I'm a bum. L.B. Mayer thinks I broke my leg on purpose. Please do it!" Another cast member who was not originally supposed to be a part of the picture was Ann Miller (Nadine Hale). Originally, Cyd Charisse was supposed to play Nadine, but she bowed out. Because Ann Miller was a "triple threat", they added in the song "Shakin' the Blues Away" for her, a number which was not originally in the picture.
These are but a couple of Judy Garland's movies, granted, but they were my very first Judy movies to watch. I adore them, and will likely watch them again someday soon. And I'll probably make my friends watch them, too... (To my friends: THIS IS YOUR WARNING.)
You know, her movies were grand, but her music was superb! Although negatively affected in her later years by her smoking habit, her voice did stay with her to the end. At one point, her doctors told her she needed to stop singing, for her health, but she went on and recorded an album immediately afterwards. Not the smartest thing she ever did, but hey! I have a few extra Judy Garland songs on my MP3 player because of it!
I can't say I know whether or not Judy Garland knew Christ, but I do hope she did. She died on June 22, 1969, the cause being described by coroner Gavin Thursdon as "an incautious self-overdose." Quite a pity, don't you think?
As a singer and (VERY) amateur actress myself, I can't help but wish I could have met Judy Garland, and gathered tips and suggestions from her. I can't help but be amazed by her superb voice and acting skills, and wish that I had just the same. Despite all of this, I can only say that I am a fan of only her voice and acting, and NOT her personal life. She did not lead a life by which any young girl ought to follow, which is terribly unfortunate.
At any rate, Judy Garland was a wonderful triple-threat, with talent to spare, but she sort of lacked in the morals department. I thoroughly enjoy her theatrical work, and, assuming the very likely possibility that she was not a Christian, I think that this just shows more of God's grace. That He would bless His followers with such talents and abilities is amazing in and of itself, but that He would so immensely bless those who do not follow Him is, to me, even more phenomenal and showing of His love and grace. Don't you think so?
I hope this wasn't a bore to read, being the first big post for this blog. If you were bored, or wanted to know about something which I did not include here, please (KINDLY) let me know so I can improve future posts!! Y'all have an awesome day!!
Still in treble..
Ginny Keys
