This Day in History August 15, 1939

By MGM [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

I am very excited to say that today's history feature concerns one of my favorite things of all time.  I am a big-time Judy Garland fan--even to this day.  I grew up watching The Wizard of Oz, and I read several biographies on Judy Garland.  I can't remember how many films of hers that I have seen, but it has been plenty.  And it was on this date in 1939 that this film premiered in Hollywood at the famous Grauman's Chinese Theater.

Over the years, I have learned so much about this film.  I can tell you that originally Shirley Temple was wanted for the role, but in the end, the teen-aged Judy Garland played the part (much to Louis B. Mayer's chagrin).  They almost cut her signature song "Over the Rainbow."  Buddy Ebsen was supposed to play the Tin Man, but he had an allergic reaction to the make-up.  I know much has been written concerning the midgets that were used, but I have learned that it is an urban myth that you can see a midget who hanged himself in one of the shots.  

This movie still rates as a masterpiece, and it is one that my daughter and I both enjoy watching.  And you can find a lot of information at the following sites:

http://web.archive.org/web/20071114114015/http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Hills/6396/timeline.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wizard_of_Oz_(1939_movie)

http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/852/The-Wizard-of-Oz/

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0032138/

This Day in History June 10, 1922

Judy Garland Somewhere Over The Rainbow - More amazing videos are a click away

Today's feature is one that means a lot to me.  Judy Garland was a very early influence on my life, and it was on this date in 1922 that she was born.  I cannot recall how many biographies I have read about her life.  It's been many years since I have picked up a book on her.  I even watched the made-for-TV movie based on her life, and I felt it mostly followed her life.


Judy Garland, originally born Frances Ethel Gumm, had an extremely tragic life, but I feel her talent is unparalleled.  I won't go into all the details about her life and death, but here are a few highlights.  She had a horrible mother, and she herself turned out to be not the best of mothers.  She struggled with drug use throughout her life.  It was the movie studio that originally got her hooked on drugs to help her lose weight (really?  I never thought the girl was heavy!) and give her energy.  Her co-star during her teenage years, Mickey Rooney, is still alive.  She was married five times, and she had three kids.  Liza Minnelli is her most successful and well-known daughter.  She was nominated for an Academy Award (that she lost to Grace Kelly) for her role in A Star is Born (my favorite of her movies, and I feel her best!).  She had a fantastic concert career.  She died June 22, 1969, due to drug overdose.  While it was not intentional suicide at that moment, the effects of drug use over a long period of time were what caused her death.


As I was growing up, I was able to make my singing voice sound just like hers.  I doubt I could now.  Vocal training does tend to change one's voice.  She is still one of my favorite actresses/singers.  If you have never checked out any of her movies (besides The Wizard of Oz--I could spend a whole blog post talking about the drama considering that film), I would invite you to check her out.  I can't remember how many of her movies I have seen---maybe 15 or so.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000023/bio
http://www.biography.com/people/judy-garland-9306838
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judy_garland