I'm a Judy come lately fan and I've been enchanted by watching her old films from the '40s and '50s. I feel as though I have discovered a new star because even though I grew up in the '50s and enjoyed watching her in "The Wizard of Oz" and remember seeing "The Judy Garland Show" on TV in the '60s, I never knew the extent of her talent or the impact she had on the Golden Age of Hollywood Musicals. Her appeal goes way beyond the charming young Dorothy Gale and the forty something queen of song.
The recent death of Elizabeth Taylor had many journalists opining how Ms. Taylor's passing was the end of an era. Some called her the "Last Screen Goddess."Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer film critic, in comparing the two MGM child stars called Judy Garland a "winsome teen" who entertained with a song and a smile while Taylor was a serious actor with emotional gravity who portrayed characters with a mission in life (such as saving a racehorse in 1944's"National Velvet.")
That may all be true, but one should not dismiss the role Judy Garland fulfilled while singing, dancing, acting, and enthralling America during the Great Depression and World War II. I believe her talents lifted a weary, war torn nation.
She certainly earned the knickname of "Sweetheart of the USA" given to her in the 1942 film "For Me and My Gal". If her offstage personality was anything like her onstage persona, she had a sweet heart indeed. She also devoted countless hours entertaining troops and performing on radio during WWII.
She certainly earned the knickname of "Sweetheart of the USA" given to her in the 1942 film "For Me and My Gal". If her offstage personality was anything like her onstage persona, she had a sweet heart indeed. She also devoted countless hours entertaining troops and performing on radio during WWII.
According to quotes from colleagues and fellow actors, she was well liked and respected by her peers. Many spoke of her genius and ability to learn a song or dance on one hearing or viewing. Her ex-husband, movie producer Sidney Luft shared that she had memorized the whole script of her 1954 movie "A Star is Born" in one reading.
I view Garland as a supernova: a light that was so brilliant, she outshone all the other stars in the galaxy. And as with most supernovas, she burned brightly and then extinguished far too soon. She gave everything she had and by the end she had nothing left to give.
Listening to her CDs, I have come to the conclusion that her voice is timeless. Whereas many of the other singers of her day sound dated, particularly the operatic sopranos such as Deanna Durbin and Marta Eggerth (featured in "For Me and My Gal"), Judy's voice is fresh and natural and contemporary. It's a remarkable thing to me that even while the arrangements and orchestras from the big band era accompanying her often come across as old and outdated, her vocals and interpretations sound new and relevant.
I dare say that she could easily win "American Idol" if she were to miraculously reappear in modern times.
One of her musical strengths was her flexibility in singing so many different styles: she could swing jazz, croon ballads, belt out showstoppers, sizzle with torch songs, and be a hoot in comedy spoofs.
And her dancing was otherworldly. She could go toe to toe with Mickey Rooney, Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire backwards and in high heels. When she did tap, jitterbug, waltz, or classical style, she was mesmerizing. While observing her numerous Hollywood musical routines, it is hard to keep your eyes off her as she outshines all of her dancing partners.
She was Shirley Temple, Ginger Rogers, Ethel Merman, Lena Horne, Elizabeth Taylor, and Lucille Ball (with great comedic timing as shown in "Easter Parade") all rolled into one. I watched a film called "Hollywood Musicals of the '40s" in which some of Miss Garland's greatest movie moments are highlighted. I must say that I believe no other women singers of that era could hold a candle to Judy in appeal, vocal and dancing talent, and overall charisma.
Her mere presence lit up the screen. It is true she had a tragic personal life that included divorces, addictions, suicide attempts, and money problems. But a lot of that can be traced back to her early years at MGM where as a teen she was given amphetamines and barbiturates to keep up with a grueling work schedule. She also was told that she was an "ugly duckling" by studio honchos, which affected her self-esteem throughout her life.
However, by observing her as a young adult in such star vehicles as 1944's "Meet Me in St. Louis", 1946's"The Harvey Girls", and 1948's "Easter Parade", it had become quite apparent that the ugly duckling had grown into a beautiful swan. To say that she was the Entertainer of the 20th Century may be an understatement.
Yes, Judy Garland had it all: beauty, charisma, great acting skill, comedic timing, superb dancing, and versatile musical talent displayed by a great sense of rhythm and a timeless, angelic voice that could express the quietest whisper or the roar of a lion with the same amount of intensity and seamless phrasing. My only regret is that I didn't get to hear her sing live. But her music will always live on in CDs, on youtube, and in my heart.
