Hi! Be patient with me while I find my footing in these posts. I’m not a natural writer or biographer. However, I will be including links to books, podcasts, and more where you can learn from the real professionals! Consider my contributions a stepping stone.
June 10th, 2022 will mark what would have been Judy Garland’s 100th birthday. 100 years of Judy Garland…
Garland had 3 children who work hard at keeping her legacy alive: Liza Minnelli (born 1946), Lorna Luft (born 1952), & Joey Luft (born 1955).
While the majority of her life was spent working and battling issues brought on by being overworked, taken advantage of, and mistreated, Garland lived large maintaining a great sense of humor along the way.
Her daughter was recently quoted in People Magazine saying “Our mom had such an extraordinary sense of humor, and that was her survival guide. That is what I can tell you has been my lifeline is to find the funny — just find the funny,”
Both parents of Garland were Vaudeville performers and molded their children into a traveling trio called The Gumm Sisters (later becoming The Garland Sisters.) Mary Jane Gumm (the oldest; born 1915), Dorothy Virginia Gumm (the middle child; 1917), and Frances Ethel Gumm (also known as Judy Garland; born 1922) performed together for roughly a decade beginning in 1924.
MGM signed Judy in 1935 at the age of 13 quickly shuffling her into studio routines. Her time at MGM has been well documented as a dark one leading to issues, insecurities, and habits Garland battled throughout the remainder of her life.
The ‘30s and ‘40s were heavily dominated by a film schedule. You can literally see Judy grow up by watching her movies throughout this time.
The 1950s began with major changes in her life and schedule with a dissolved MGM contract, divorce, illness, and extensive periods of time performing live shows in the United Kingdom. The ‘50s and ‘60s really saw Garland grow beyond films, raise a family, host The Judy Garland Show, record music, and perform her songs around the world. She passed away at the end of the decade – June 22, 1969 – at the age of 47.
Everyone knows her as Dorothy Gale from 1939’s The Wizard Of Oz, but she appeared in over 30 films alongside Gene Kelly, Mickey Rooney, Hedy Lamarr, and so many other screen legends.
Judy Garland Films You May Recognize:
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This is a brief overview that doesn’t even begin to cover the person that Judy Garland was. If you desire to continue learning, the following resources are available…
Podcasts:
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You Must Remember This: The Lives, Deaths, and Afterlives of Judy Garland
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Trashy Divorces S5E11: Over The Rainbow
Books:
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Me and My Shadows: A Family Memoir (by Lorna Luft)
Articles:
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Liza Minnelli and Lorna Luft Interview With People Magazine (2022)
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Sarasota Orchestra An Evening With Judy Garland Program Notes (Great facts in there)
Dominique Benedict is the founder and owner of Breakfast At Dominique’s. Her favorite topics include classic everything from movies to music to cars and the 90s film, Dazed and Confused.