Judy Garland
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Judy Garland remains an icon of American film, music, and television thanks to her peerless voice, tremendous acting talent, and stunning good looks. Known best perhaps for The Wizard of Oz, Garland was also known for her troubled personal life, which included multiple marriages and problems with drugs and alcohol, the latter of which was eventually responsible for her untimely death. Despite her many personal struggles, Judy remains a beloved figure of American culture.
Performing with the Gumm Sisters.
Judy Garland was born Frances Ethel Gumm to parents Ethel Marion and Francis Avent "Frank" Gumm on June 10, 1922 in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Her parents were vaudevillians and ran a movie theater in Grand Rapids that showcased vaudeville acts. Judy was the youngest of sisters Susie and Jimmie, and began performing with them at an early age under the name The Gumm Sisters. Judy was then known as "Baby Gumm."
The famous scene from "Meet Me In Saint Louis."
The Gumm family moved to Lancaster, California in 1926 amid rumors that Frank Gumm had made sexual advances towards male ushers in his movie theater. Once in California the Gumm girls studied dancing and acting, and performed around the area with their mother as their manager and agent. The Gumm Sisters appeared in a few short films in the late '20s, and changed their name to the Garland Sisters while appearing at the 1934 World's Fair in Chicago. Tired of the nickname "Baby," the youngest Gumm changed her name to "Judy." In 1935 the sister trio broke up, in part due to Susie's marriage to musician Lee Kahn of the Jimmy Davis Orchestra. Judy performed as a solo act and was signed to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer at the age of 13. Legend has it Judy was signed to the film production giant without a screen test. Her appearance was something of an issue for MGM, however, as at age 13 she was too old for most child roles and had those sweet "good girl looks" that the company didn't know quite what to do with. Judy became very self-conscious about her appearance at this time, especially since she went to "school" at MGM with the likes of Lana Turner, Elizabeth Taylor, and Ava Gardener. Studio head Louis B. Mayer referred to her as his "little hunchback," further fueling her insecurities.
Judy singing with daughter Liza.
While preparing for a Shell Chateau Hour radio performance in November of 1935, Judy learned her father had been hospitalized for meningitis, and that the prognosis did not look good. Frank Gumm died the morning after Judy learned of his condition, which devastated her. The song she performed on the Shell Chateau Hour was 'Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart,' a tune that would become a live concert standard for her.
Judy in "A Star is Born."
Judy's next attention-grabbing performance was during Clark Gable's birthday celebration, for which she sang 'You Made Me Love You' to the actor. MGM next paired Judy with Mickey Rooney for several "backyard musicals" that did well; Judy eventually performed in nine films with Rooney. Unfortunately, to keep up with her increasingly busy schedule, MGM supplied Judy with amphetamines to keep her up during the day, and barbiturates to take before bedtime. This resulted in a lifelong struggle with drugs; Judy would later say that MGM stole her youth.
With husband Vincent Minnelli.
In 1939 Judy found huge success with the release of The Wizard of Oz, for which she received a special Oscar for her role as Kansas farm girl Dorothy. The film showcased her singing as well as acting abilities, and was one of the first films to use technicolor technology. The Wizard of Oz remains a staple of the classic film archive and has resulted in numerous books and spin-offs, including the book turned Broadway musical Wicked.
With daughter Lorna Luft.
More musicals followed, including Babes of Broadway in 1942, and For Me And My Gal in 1943, which co-starred Gene Kelly. Meet Me In Saint Louis, which came out in 1944, is another film for which Judy is so well-known. Three songs from the film, The Trolley Song,, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, and The Boy Next Door became classic Judy tunes.
At her wedding to fifth husband Dean.
Judy married for the first time at age 19 to bandleader David Rose in 1941, however the union only lasted till 1944, during which time Judy had an abortion. Her second marriage was to director Vincent Minnelli, whom she married in 1945. They had a daughter, the incomparable Liza Minnelli, in 1946. Though the marriage was basically over by 1949, the couple did not officially divorce until 1952. It was during this time that Judy began to get a reputation for being unstable and unreliable, as years of performing and drug abuse were wearing her out. MGM fired her in 1950.
The beautiful Judy.
Judy met producer Sid Luft in 1951 and began rebuilding her career. She married Luft in 1952, with whom she had two children, Lorna and Joey, in 1952 and 1955, respectively. Though the marriage was said to be "stormy," the relationship had a fantastic impact on her professional career, as the pair's production company was responsible for the remake of A Star Is Born, which is considered one of the best movies of Judy's career. Her performance as an aspiring actress who forsakes her personal relationship for stardom was well-received, and her rendition of 'The Man That Got Away,' is considered one of her best. She received an Academy Award nomination for her work in the film.
Singing 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' in 'Wizard.'
By the 1960s Judy was working more as a singer than as an actress, though she had made numerous television specials starting in the mid-50s. Despite her burgeoning live performance career, Judy still managed to make 1961's Judgment At Nuremberg, for which she received another Academy Award nomination. She also won two Grammys in 1961, for Best Solo Vocal Performance and Album of the Year for Judy at Carnegie Hall. Her television show, The Judy Garland Show, ran from 1963 to 1964, with daughters Liza and Lorna making appearances. Judy won an Emmy for her work on the show.
"The Wizard of Oz" will forever be a favorite for children and adults of all ages.
Judy and Luft divorced in 1965 following an ugly child custody dispute. She married actor Mark Herron in the same year, however the marriage ended after only a few months. Judy wed former bandleader and club manager Mickey Deans in 1969. By this time Judy was in financial trouble and did not look well during her live appearances. She died of an accidental drug overdose in 1969 while in London, a few months after she had wed Deans. Judy was only 47 years old.
Despite the tragedy of her personal life Judy remains an icon of the film and stage industry, and her popularity crosses all boundaries - The Man that Got Away is a drag review staple. Daughter Liza, another gay icon, continued the family legacy with a performing career of her own, while Lorna wrote about her mother in the 1998 memoir Me and My Shadows: A Family Memoir. The book was eventually turned into a television mini-series in 2001 entitled Life with Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows.
The Judy Garland Museum, located in her hometown, holds an annual festival in honor of the late star, and thousands of women everywhere can be found in a blue gingham dress, braids and ruby slippers each Halloween.
Performing with the Gumm Sisters.
Judy Garland was born Frances Ethel Gumm to parents Ethel Marion and Francis Avent "Frank" Gumm on June 10, 1922 in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Her parents were vaudevillians and ran a movie theater in Grand Rapids that showcased vaudeville acts. Judy was the youngest of sisters Susie and Jimmie, and began performing with them at an early age under the name The Gumm Sisters. Judy was then known as "Baby Gumm."
The famous scene from "Meet Me In Saint Louis."
The Gumm family moved to Lancaster, California in 1926 amid rumors that Frank Gumm had made sexual advances towards male ushers in his movie theater. Once in California the Gumm girls studied dancing and acting, and performed around the area with their mother as their manager and agent. The Gumm Sisters appeared in a few short films in the late '20s, and changed their name to the Garland Sisters while appearing at the 1934 World's Fair in Chicago. Tired of the nickname "Baby," the youngest Gumm changed her name to "Judy." In 1935 the sister trio broke up, in part due to Susie's marriage to musician Lee Kahn of the Jimmy Davis Orchestra. Judy performed as a solo act and was signed to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer at the age of 13. Legend has it Judy was signed to the film production giant without a screen test. Her appearance was something of an issue for MGM, however, as at age 13 she was too old for most child roles and had those sweet "good girl looks" that the company didn't know quite what to do with. Judy became very self-conscious about her appearance at this time, especially since she went to "school" at MGM with the likes of Lana Turner, Elizabeth Taylor, and Ava Gardener. Studio head Louis B. Mayer referred to her as his "little hunchback," further fueling her insecurities.
Judy singing with daughter Liza.
While preparing for a Shell Chateau Hour radio performance in November of 1935, Judy learned her father had been hospitalized for meningitis, and that the prognosis did not look good. Frank Gumm died the morning after Judy learned of his condition, which devastated her. The song she performed on the Shell Chateau Hour was 'Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart,' a tune that would become a live concert standard for her.
Judy in "A Star is Born."
Judy's next attention-grabbing performance was during Clark Gable's birthday celebration, for which she sang 'You Made Me Love You' to the actor. MGM next paired Judy with Mickey Rooney for several "backyard musicals" that did well; Judy eventually performed in nine films with Rooney. Unfortunately, to keep up with her increasingly busy schedule, MGM supplied Judy with amphetamines to keep her up during the day, and barbiturates to take before bedtime. This resulted in a lifelong struggle with drugs; Judy would later say that MGM stole her youth.
With husband Vincent Minnelli.
In 1939 Judy found huge success with the release of The Wizard of Oz, for which she received a special Oscar for her role as Kansas farm girl Dorothy. The film showcased her singing as well as acting abilities, and was one of the first films to use technicolor technology. The Wizard of Oz remains a staple of the classic film archive and has resulted in numerous books and spin-offs, including the book turned Broadway musical Wicked.
With daughter Lorna Luft.
More musicals followed, including Babes of Broadway in 1942, and For Me And My Gal in 1943, which co-starred Gene Kelly. Meet Me In Saint Louis, which came out in 1944, is another film for which Judy is so well-known. Three songs from the film, The Trolley Song,, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, and The Boy Next Door became classic Judy tunes.
At her wedding to fifth husband Dean.
Judy married for the first time at age 19 to bandleader David Rose in 1941, however the union only lasted till 1944, during which time Judy had an abortion. Her second marriage was to director Vincent Minnelli, whom she married in 1945. They had a daughter, the incomparable Liza Minnelli, in 1946. Though the marriage was basically over by 1949, the couple did not officially divorce until 1952. It was during this time that Judy began to get a reputation for being unstable and unreliable, as years of performing and drug abuse were wearing her out. MGM fired her in 1950.
The beautiful Judy.
Judy met producer Sid Luft in 1951 and began rebuilding her career. She married Luft in 1952, with whom she had two children, Lorna and Joey, in 1952 and 1955, respectively. Though the marriage was said to be "stormy," the relationship had a fantastic impact on her professional career, as the pair's production company was responsible for the remake of A Star Is Born, which is considered one of the best movies of Judy's career. Her performance as an aspiring actress who forsakes her personal relationship for stardom was well-received, and her rendition of 'The Man That Got Away,' is considered one of her best. She received an Academy Award nomination for her work in the film.
Singing 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' in 'Wizard.'
By the 1960s Judy was working more as a singer than as an actress, though she had made numerous television specials starting in the mid-50s. Despite her burgeoning live performance career, Judy still managed to make 1961's Judgment At Nuremberg, for which she received another Academy Award nomination. She also won two Grammys in 1961, for Best Solo Vocal Performance and Album of the Year for Judy at Carnegie Hall. Her television show, The Judy Garland Show, ran from 1963 to 1964, with daughters Liza and Lorna making appearances. Judy won an Emmy for her work on the show.
"The Wizard of Oz" will forever be a favorite for children and adults of all ages.
Judy and Luft divorced in 1965 following an ugly child custody dispute. She married actor Mark Herron in the same year, however the marriage ended after only a few months. Judy wed former bandleader and club manager Mickey Deans in 1969. By this time Judy was in financial trouble and did not look well during her live appearances. She died of an accidental drug overdose in 1969 while in London, a few months after she had wed Deans. Judy was only 47 years old.
Despite the tragedy of her personal life Judy remains an icon of the film and stage industry, and her popularity crosses all boundaries - The Man that Got Away is a drag review staple. Daughter Liza, another gay icon, continued the family legacy with a performing career of her own, while Lorna wrote about her mother in the 1998 memoir Me and My Shadows: A Family Memoir. The book was eventually turned into a television mini-series in 2001 entitled Life with Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows.
The Judy Garland Museum, located in her hometown, holds an annual festival in honor of the late star, and thousands of women everywhere can be found in a blue gingham dress, braids and ruby slippers each Halloween.
