Just For Judy

Sneak Peek: A Star is Remembered

2011-02-13T15:51:00.000-08:00

Hey, all!!
I just wanted to give those who follow me a little sneak peek of the documentary I've been working on, A Star is Remembered: The Making of a Masterpiece.
As pointed out in the video, there is still a lot of work to be done on this; I haven't even completed all the interviews. But I just wanted to give you all a little sneak peek of what's been done so far and (hopefully) what will become a really cool project.

Let me know what you think (either on here or on YouTube), and if you want to be a part of the project, let me know!

In other news: I also received my Judy Garland: A Celebration magazine in the mail shortly after I posted on the subject. I'll be posting a review soon once I finally get a chance to read it all, but it looks like a promising issue!

Issue Two of "A Celebration" has been mailed out!

2011-01-29T18:04:00.000-08:00

Sneak peek of the cover art for Issue 2

Gary Horrocks of The International Judy Garland Club has announced that the second issue of A Celebration has been sent out via Royal mail. It's only a matter of time before us lucky members get another beautiful keepsake that is a true tribute to Judy's memory and artistry.

This next issue will be 60 pages and includes 70 beautifully reproduced photographs and articles on Judy's time spent in London and her make-up artist and friend Dottie Ponedel.

Below is a link to the club's website - they've made some adjustments since I've last seen it, and it looks BEAUTIFUL. Check it out - information on joining the club is also available on the website:

http://www.judygarlandclub.org

I'll be posting a review on the next issue as soon as I get it, which hopefully will be soon. I can't wait!!

Sneak peek of inside spread of Issue 2

A Couple of Updates ..

2011-01-14T09:08:00.000-08:00

Hi, all!

My gosh, it's the middle of January already, I can't believe it. True to my promise in my previous post from this month, I'm going to try and keep this blog updated more. That being said, here are a couple of those updates:

1. A Star is Born Documentary
I know I haven't done much talking (not to mention working on) this project, but I promise you, it will get done! Both John Fricke and Scott Brogan from The Judy Room have agreed to help me and I know that with their cooperation this thing can be great. If you or anyone you know would be interested in participating or offering their thoughts on this wonderful film, PLEASE let me know!

2. JSP - "Lost Tracks" Release
I finally have it! I ordered this box-set the day after Christmas and it just arrived from the UK yesterday. Boy, just what I needed. I'm saving my maiden listen for this weekend and I'll try to do it chronologically, though I'm tempted to just listen to my favorites and the songs I haven't heard before. I'm going to try and write a disc-by-disc review if my schedule permits. JSP has also announced another Garland release (which I will be posting about soon) that looks to be due later this year.

3. Tumblr
I have recently discovered the wonders of the website "Tumblr" and have started a Judy page - it's a mash up of graphics, art, photos, and quips that I update just about every day. I've found several rare photos on there and some great material for future blogs. Follow!!

Thanks for following, everybody!! Hope the rest of your January is great and stay warm if it's cold out!

Have Yourself a Very Happy New Year!!

2011-01-07T13:54:00.000-08:00

Happy (belated) 2011 wishes to everyone!

First and foremost, I owe an enormous apology to all who are following me - I haven't done an update in a long time, which I simply attribute to family time and laziness. Thankfully, with winter term getting its kick start, I'm back to being on top of things and have several posts planned up for you all.

Secondly, I want to wish a very Happy Holidays, though it's uber late - I hope you and yours were happy, healthy, and got all you wished for!

Christmas 2010 was a gloomy one for me, I was feeling generally listless and crabby much of the time. This was actually a Christmas where I was more Scrooge rather than Rudolph.

However and happily, I did get to spend some quality time with several friends over the break, and being the little social butterfly that I am, that was simply wonderful. One such get-together involved my showing a very dear friend of mine both Meet Me in St Louis and In the Good Old Summertime, to coincide with a little holiday movie marathon the two of us had set up together. He's a good sport, he's seen several Judy films with me and he loves musicals almost as much as I do.

During the viewing of these two little holiday gems, my friend and I chatted constantly - trading commentary about the film, how much we loved the holidays, things that were going on with our life. And then we got to the scene where Judy is singing to Margaret O'Brien in St. Louis. I just sat there entranced, because this was the first time the song had ever really hit me.

As I watched Judy sing, I felt so close to the scene I could almost literally feel the emotions pouring forth from the frames. Even more amazing to me was the fact that I realized "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" is not a sad song. It's about keeping your chin up and carrying on with hope for the future. It represented everything about the holidays that should be revered - love, family, togetherness, strength and beauty. It was a breathtaking moment for me and it changed my way of thinking for 2011.

WHICH, by the way, is here and I hope it will be "bright, shining, and beautiful" as in the words of Judy. Happy New Year to everyone!!

Ghosts of the Theater

2010-11-09T10:31:00.000-08:00

I'm not one to believe in spirits, or ghouls, or poltergeists, with the exception of Halloween, in which case I feel that everything is out to get me. That being said, I have to admit I felt something very special during a ballet performance I went to a few weeks ago.

Let me back track a bit. Several months ago I sent an email to Judy's renown biographer John Fricke - with whom I am grateful to say I am in contact with - asking if he knew any details of Judy performing in the city of Portland. I go to school here and know that a lot of big name artists have come here; Portland still hosts posh performances such as ballets, shows, and operas. John told me he didn't know of anything at the top of his head, but he would keep his eyes open for any information.

Early in October he got back to me again, saying that Judy had indeed performed in Portland in July of 1955 for two nights. There was a full house, she got good reviews, and - best of all - she performed at the big name theater here - The Keller Auditorium (though it was known as the Portland Civic Auditorium then, and has gone through some renovation/downgrading since).

Even better than this glorious news was the fact that The Keller is a mere three minutes away from my college campus. I was utterly thrilled to know I spent the majority of my week in the same city where Judy had once performed.

The karma kept getting better as the week went by. After John's wonderful news, my mother surprised my sister and me by taking us to see a ballet performance of Sleeping Beauty that same weekend. Where was the performance? Yep, The Keller.

I hadn't told anyone what I had found out (selfish joy, perhaps?), so those I went with to the performance couldn't have known of the happy glow that surrounded me when I stepped into the lobby of the auditorium. Not only was there the initial hum from the anticipation of the performance, but there was definitely a "feeling" there that I wouldn't truly be able to access until after I had gone home. We found our seats and I couldn't resist turning around to face the back of the theater briefly, thinking "This is what Judy saw .."

The performance started, and from the initial joy of feeling Judy's presence came another presence: the spirits of those other performers who had also stood on that stage. The singers, the dancers, the acts, the rehearsals .. all the big names who had made their mark in some way in front of thousands of eyes and hundreds of clapping hands and shouting voices. The sensation was remarkable, and I watched that entire performance with stars in my eyes; I don't even think I stood up during the intermission, I just sat there transfixed.

I went home very happy, and needless to say the performance I saw was thrilling. And one more touch of coincidence hit later that night as I realized what the date was. October 10. The very same day that Judy put her hands and footprints in the cement outside Grauman's Chinese Theater in 1939.

She was with me that day.

Summer Getting-Through-Tough-Days Stock

2010-09-27T17:30:00.000-07:00

You know which is a really good film to watch when you're nervous or tired? Summer Stock.

I remember the first time I saw it - I was about 14 then, and my admiration of all things Judy was blossoming into something quite remarkable. Summer Stock is actually one of my mother's favorite Judy films - that and In the Good Old Summertime, and once and a while we'll watch it together. My first viewing was during one of our "flick evenings" where the three of us - my mother, my sister, and I - would watch a movie "late into the night" (admittedly only about 10 o'clock). It had been recorded from some television showing on a horrible VHS tape, and the colors were all washed out. I remember asking my mother "Are they going to fall in love yet? What happens to the tractor?? Is the show gonna be a success?? MOM, ARE THEY GOING TO KISS YET???"

What an aggravating 14-year-old. :P

Until about a week ago, I was really getting into Judy's television, concert, and album years - which are stellar in themselves - but I always find myself sneaking back to what got me into her in the first place: her MGM films. Yes, A Star is Born is poignant, A Child is Waiting is stirring, and I Could Go on Singing is haunting, but those "Golden Age" classics are just too good to be pushed aside.

So I watched this last night to calm my nerves, as I was starting school the next day - of course it's an occasion of excitement, but that "first day" syndrome always makes me a bit jittery. Thankfully a healthy dose of cuteness and good songs got rid of that for me. Not to mention the film's leading man and lady.

Speaking of which, could we talk about Gene Kelly for a moment? Jeez, what a handsome guy he is in that film - not too thin such as dancers like Donald O'Connor or Fred Astaire (not trashing them, though!!), he's built so athletically; perfect for the kind of dancing he does. But enough fangirl blushing. ;)

Judy of course, is Judy. It's actually quite nice seeing her a little plump and not that nervous, frail thing like in The Pirate. Of course I know this wasn't the best time in Judy's life, but it's easy to forget when you see her pull on the chic-ness and kick some life into "Get Happy". Jeez, what a number, what a song, what a performance.

And the dancing!! The Portland Fancy scene - that dance-off between Judy and Gene is one I have to rewind again and again; and I itch to dance along with them! Not only are they a fabulously matched couple - both in age and height - but they legitimately look they're having fun together. To me, Summer Stock epitomizes what a classic musical ought to be. The dancing's superb, the story's darling, and it always puts a smile on my face. Underrated in my opinion, but a gem nevertheless.

So what is it?

2010-08-21T16:47:00.000-07:00

This question has been popping up over the last few weeks on both Tumblr and on the Garland forum I am a member of. What is it about Judy that has made you so attached to her? (this question could actually even be attributed to a number of icons that people look up to).

I think the thing with Judy is this: her music and her movies represent what I feel and what I want to be. Think of a film character for example - Esther Blodgett: sharp, intelligent, funny, determined, and talented.

Alice Mayberry: practical, hardworking, a quick thinker who let love in when she knew it was right.

Susan Bradley - "good girl"; capable, adaptable, with a strength of character.

I admire these characters because they are so totally human - with both strengths and weaknesses - and I aspire to them. And Judy herself - she was different. She had problems, she had doubts in herself. To know that she rose against the odds and became one of the greatest superstars of the 20th century is so empowering to me. It makes me feel like I can do things too.

And to top it off with a giving spirit, beauty, and a lasting legacy, her music is just icing on the cake. Judy's characters and strengths represent the kind of human being I want to be.

If anything, it comes down to this: her music makes me feel better; she helps me get through the day. There's a song I recently discovered by Michael Bublé called I Guess I'm Falling 4 U and though it is a love song, there are a few lines that completely explain how I feel about Judy:

Since I met you days are brighter,
Life's uneven loads are lighter.

And it's so true.

If You Were the Only Fan in the World ..

2010-07-23T16:01:00.000-07:00

I'm obviously not what you'd call a silent Judy Garland fan. If you're a friend - heck, even if you're an acquaintance of mine - it is extremely rare that someone who knows me could not know who the lady is.

I try not to advertise this fact too much - especially where people I've barely met are concerned. I mean, to the average, NORMAL person, a following like this might seem a little odd. Less odd I should hope, than perhaps an Annual Squid Appreciation festival (look it up), but still odd. I don't like to scare people away who are nice to me. At least not right away.

I'll go as far as to keeping a little picture of her on my binder with one of her inspirational quotes; just as a possible precaution that someone might see it and recognize her. Thereby starting a lifelong and lasting friendship.

Usually one of three things happens - the most common is this (I'm the gullible little turd on the right):

If not the above example, then it's this - never fails to make me giggle:

And finally, the big clincher:

And I sound like an elitist little brat, and I'm sure it seems like I disregard people simply because they know little about Judy (which of course is not the case). But I can't help but hope for that kindred spirit to somehow meet up with me ..

Ah well. ;)

A new post is due ..

2010-06-10T23:08:00.000-07:00

How could this day be complete without a birthday wish to our girl?

Judy dear, the world owes you so much for what you have given it. Your charm, your beauty, your laughter, your voice, and your TALENT will shine as long as there are people on this earth; because among those millions of people, there will always be at least one who loves you. We owe you so much for what you had to and still have to offer to millions. You are an inspiration. THANK YOU, and may you go on singing on that wonderful stage in the clouds forever.

I love you Judy, Happy Birthday.

There you have it - my own "Judy, With Love"/Lorna Smith entry. ;)

Now off to watch Babes on Broadway ..

"Antique Rubbish"

2010-05-18T11:23:00.000-07:00

"Excuse me, but that "old rubbish" happens to be "antique rubbish", and it happens to be mine!! Now get outta there!!"

This quite humorous line from the British television show Lovejoy more or less sums up the way I feel about some things .. and could similarly be my reply to a bystander's reaction to what I consider my treasures.

One such treasure I came to own precisely one month and one day ago (it's been a while since I've posted, wouldn't you say?). I stumbled upon it quite by accident, and boy am I glad I did ..

Back in April a friend of mine and I decided to spend a day in Portland to celebrate her birthday and take advantage of what few days we would have in spring that would remain sunny (it sprinkled on us anyway). We spent some time walking around the shops as I told her it was her day to do what she wanted to do, and as we were crossing the street, I looked to my left and saw a music store. One of those places that look Indy but really aren't simply because of the building they're in. I thought to myself "why not??" and suggested we go in - I'll admit it, I was hoping to find me some Judy CDs, as I had a hankering to buy something for our day out.

We walked in to a blaring stereo, blue carpets, stark white walls littered with posters, the sugary smell of donuts, and rows upon rows upon ROWS of CDs, DVDs and Blue-Ray discs. I was agog with amazement - never had I seen so much entertainment right at my fingertips. I look feverishly around for a jazz/easy listening/soundtrack section, but there was none to be seen. Quite a disappointment to me - not even a hint of Michael Buble!

The two of us split up and I wandered around for a little while, feeling slightly crushed until my friend mentioned to me that there was a divided section behind the cashier. I looked and realized that there was a small entryway that I hadn't noticed before. My spirits perked up a bit and I made my way over. It was like moving into a whole other world as I glided from one section to the other. The booming stereo faded and was replaced by the silky sound of blues and jazz. A smile touched my face as I realized I was home (even more so when I spotted a six foot poster of James Dean on the opposite wall). The rows upon rows of CDs had been replaced by records - dozens and dozens of singles, albums, compilations were in front of me. My hopes soared.

I all but ran over to the Easy Listening - G section and as I dug through I spotted several Lena Horne albums. Well, my feverish mind thought, if they have Lena, they must have .. And there she was.

I was facing nearly 20 collectible records, all done by Judy, all released during her lifetime. I have seldom been so excited over such a find, my limbs went weak - I think my hands might have even been trembling. I couldn't believe what was in front of me - there was Alone, The Letter, The Very Best of Judy Garland, The MGM Years, the soundtrack to I Could Go on Singing, and a few compilations of her television work. If I'd had the means, I would have bought all of them in a heart beat. I'm stingy by nature, I don't like to spend my money very much, but I knew I had to come home with a record. But which one to choose?
Even though I looked at them all carefully, in all honesty I had my heart set on the one that had first caught my eye - The Garland Touch. A Garland fan whom I have a great deal of respect for once mentioned how much she loved this album and - as I had never heard it before - that sold it for me.

Much to the bemusement of my friend, I bought the record and after our day was over, went home and popped it onto the record player at the soonest opportunity I had. I was not disappointed - the richness and the warmth of Judy's voice combined with the beautiful Capitol orchestra simply captured me, much more than the any CD could. It was magic, and I'm so glad I took an opportunity to walk into that music store.

I need to go back again soon.

Some Startling News ..

2010-04-24T17:42:00.000-07:00

.. but can it be true?

Apparently it's been reported that the missing footage of A Star is Born - that 15 odd minutes of dramatic close-ups and character profiling that was replaced by stills and audio in the 1983 restoration done by Ron Haver - is indeed in existence.
Anyone who knows anything about this film is aware of its plagued history - from the moment it began development in 1953 to the questionable result of the Oscars in 1955. The story of ASIB is the stuff that legends are made of. Those who also know anything about Star know that the footage has been declared as either destroyed, hidden and forgotten in some studio vault or owned by some fanatical "mystery fan". The first theory is not hard to believe, as the completed film has been missing for more than 50 years. Whatever the theory (and ironically, the news was released on the very day A Star is Born hit Hollywood in a successful re-restored World Premiere this week), the footage has been confidently reported as existing.

As always, Scott Brogan of The Judy Room does a better job of explaining the whole back story; you can read his expansive and fascinating article on how he came across this information here.

Someone from the internet group The Judy Garland Message Board has created a petition asking the man (I will neglect to divulge the name in case this story proves to be untrue) who is reported to own the entire, uncut print of the film A Star is Born to share it with the public. This film is a treasure and a masterpiece - and deserves to been seen in its entirety.

Petition for the complete A Star is Born.

Please sign this, everyone!! It takes literally five seconds to do - just add your name and email address, and that's all - you don't even need to add a comment. The board member stated that he won't send the petition along until there's 1,000 signatures, so let's get this rolling!

A Star is Reborn

2010-04-11T15:26:00.000-07:00

The month of April has arrived - and that only means one thing for old Hollywood and Judy fans alike - the World Premiere of George Cukor's classic A Star is Born has also arrived.
The very first Turner Classic Movies Film Festival will take place in Hollywood April 22 - 25, 2010. Too bad my enthusiasm for this event could not be material for the cost, as the sacrifice of being a student (har har) inhibits me from attending this promising event.

HOWEVER. Within the last few weeks there's been much talk and excitement about the eagerly anticipated Blu-Ray release of the aforementioned film. Though Star fans and Judy fans alike have been disappointed in the news that there is reportedly no new footage found (nor a stellar audio commentary by Garland enthusiast and biographer John Fricke), the 2-disc Blu-Ray looks to be a promising addition to any Hollywood collection. I, personally, am a little disappointed in the artwork, which proved to be nothing but a "revamping" of the iconic still that would be used as a basis for the original beautiful artwork done by Richard Amsel in the 80s. That isn't to say that I will not be pre-ordering this expansive collection for its due release in June of this year. Not only are there two discs available chock full of visual and audio extras (including some exclusive only to the Blu-Ray release), but also included is quite a nice booklet of production notes and photographs. I'm looking forward to this restored debut of (what I consider to be) a beautiful work of art and I cannot wait to view the "revamped" film.

A fellow blogger has also done a comprehensive article on the places and locations where A Star is Born was filmed, including photographs of "then" and "now". Take a look!!
Dear Old Hollywood: A Star is Born - Film Locations

Of Bus Movies and Film Majors

2010-04-05T19:57:00.000-07:00

There was a rather unpleasant situation that occurred on the city bus I was riding this morning that I'd rather not go into detail about. That being said, I was thankfully not involved but it disgusted me with the ugliness and sickness that all-to-often inhabits this earth. Luckily I had my beloved iPod with me so I divulged in a little "let's just let this pass and enjoy the day for what it's worth." Needless to say, the unpleasant event stuck with me for most of the day.

On the way back home, I continued watching Easter Parade, which I had appropriately begun watching in accordance with the holiday this passing Sunday. I was absorbed in watching Fred Astaire dancing and suddenly a young guy next to me leaned over and asked: "Is that Frank Sinatra?"

I told him it wasn't, but it started a conversation between the two of us about the golden age of Hollywood, classic musicals, and (in his words) the "flamboyance" that I concurred most musicals don't have today. He asked what film I was watching and when I told him he seemed genuinely interested, telling me he had once considered having a major in Film. The conversation concluded with us talking about Chicago and Singing in the Rain, two musicals we both had seen and loved. Our lovely chat didn't last long, as he had to get off at his stop, but in the few minutes I talked with him I felt cleaner and happier discussing a time when beauty was the order of the day. I'm sorry I couldn't have talked with him longer but he (unknowingly) cleared up the dark clouds that had been covering my head earlier on. So wherever you are, stranger - I owe deep thanks to you.

Even in my darkest moments, Judy is always near and today, it took a Judy film to do it. Thanks, Jootes. You've done it again.

International Judy Garland Club Did Not Disappoint

2010-03-29T20:58:00.000-07:00

I figured it was high time that I posted a review on the wonderful work that Gary Horrocks, Justin Sturge, and all those involved have put effort in the rebirth The International Judy Garland Club after the discontinuation of the Rainbow Review publication in 2007. I was so happy to become a part of something so widely spread, and I must admit that when I received my membership as a Christmas gift this past 2009, I did not expect much. Let's be honest, most fan-fueled publications aren't exactly the best in literary or quality means; at least not in my experience. I am happy to say: how wrong I was.

As I said in my email to the club a few days ago I'm amazed by the care and dedication that was put into the first issue of Judy Garland - A Celebration and I'm so glad to be a part of the international club as a whole. The quality is superb (it isn't in the least like a magazine - more of a beautiful booklet) and the photographs were (as promised) indeed rare - many of which I had never seen before. The editorials were wonderfully and sensitively written, especially an article written by Lorna Smith - Judy - with Love - which, from what I understand, was originally published in a previous Rainbow Review issue. The article recounted various events the author experienced with Judy during the last years of her (Judy's) life, and setting her across as a warm, playful, invigorating person with momentous talent. It was wonderfully written and by far my favorite piece out of the whole magazine issue.

And from what I understand, it's still not too late to join - once again, information on how to join can be found here (and a new site is reportedly forthcoming) and individual questions can be sent to the club's email address: judygarlandclub@googlemail.org. The second issue has already been announced as "already well into production". I highly, highly recommend this wonderful magazine to all Judy fans - it's well worth the price!!

*And I hereby just realized that title sounds vaguely like a newspaper headline. Ha ha, oh well.

The Scarlett Olive - A Podcast for Old Hollywood

2010-03-22T17:39:00.000-07:00

What do you get when you combine good fun, the love of Judy and the Golden Age of Hollywood, fabulous humor and modern technology? A Scarlett Olive cocktail.

Another wonderful show has emerged to bless the bounty of the iTunes podcast collection. The Scarlett Olive is a collaborative effort of two fellow Judy fans whom I am blessed to call dear friends of mine. Despite the setback of many miles separating them, they have managed to create a wonderful audio tribute to Judy as well as to the many other directors and actors involved in the great era of Golden Hollywood. The podcast covers a wide range of topics such as famous Oscar triumphs (and upsets), favorite Hollywood film couples, and the recent second episode even included a guest interview.

The show has already been in existence for a while, I've just been neglecting to post an update. I've listened to both of the two episodes that have recently been posted and it has already made wonderful advances where technology challenges are concerned. The third episode has been reported as recorded as of a few days ago, so it will only be a matter of time before it's posted up for us to hear!

Click on the poster to visit the official Facebook fan page for The Scarlett Olive.

The Scarlett Olive on iTunes

Another Top 10

2010-02-14T18:54:00.000-08:00

... and then some. This time it's Judy albums.

I have compiled a list of my favorite Garland albums. I actually made this a while back, but have now altered and added to it. A few of these are actually on the list for sentimental reasons and the majority of them are compilations. So here are my ten favorite Judy Garland albums, though there are plenty I love that didn't quite make it up.

10 - The Letter - I love this album because of its unique style, I have yet to hear another production or creation that sounds quite like this. I would have to admit that some of the songs are a little shrill, a few are a bit too syncopated for my liking, and the notes seem to wander a bit at some points. But in its defense, Judy is in great voice for the late 50s, and the ending is truly worth it for the ringing telephone and the breathless and joyful "Yes! Yes! Yes!" I love the album art for this as well.

9 - The One & Only Collection - All right, this is three albums in one, but I'm counting the entire collection. If I really had to pick one, it would be Disc 3, The London Sessions. This collection has a wonderful variety of gems from Judy's brief '63-'64 television show, concerts, and a few studio recordings as well. It is a compilation, which to me is a mixed blessing, as you get a fine sampling of Judy's breadth of work, but I also feel a little cheated that I can't listen to the albums in their entirety!
Still, a wonderful collection and one highly recommended for any Judy fan. Has beautiful recordings of "Happiness is Just a Thing Called Joe", the spine-tingling "Stormy Weather", "This is My Moment", and plenty other wonderful standards.

8 - That Old Feeling: Classic Ballads - I must admit that this album doesn't quite count, as I don't own it yet, but there are plenty of the tracks that I have heard or bought from iTunes, so I decided that it will do.
Another compilation album from the Savoy Jazz collection, and quite a nice one at that. Beautiful, heart-breaking standards such as "All Alone" and "A Cottage For Sale", as well as "The Last Dance" and (my personal favorite) "That Old Feeling". A good one to help you get to sleep at night.

7 - Love Songs - This compilation I was lucky enough to come by as a prize for a Judy-themed contest last year, and it's one of my favorites. Judy tackles gems such as "That's All" and "Do It Again" with a charming mixture of her own standards as well as those of others and finishes off with a rousing version of "Come Rain or Come Shine". This is another Savoy Jazz collection item, and though Judy's voice sounds a bit raspy, she is still able to weave magic like no other. Another nice collection to listen to at night.

6 - The Decca Masters (Plus) - This collection (once again, it's four discs included in one set) owns a special place in my heart as it was the very first Garland CD that I ever bought with my own money. And it just grew from there. I keep it in my closet now and the corners of the box are all worn and tatty.
Sentimentality aside, this box set is possibly the quintessential item of any Garland collection - a must have. While The One & Only set encompasses Judy's Capitol years, The Decca Masters cover the young Judy (1935-1947), including singles and album numbers she recorded for films and commercial release. Though at first it annoyed me that the collection did not include the actual soundtrack recordings of Judy's films, I soon grew to enjoy it. And it's a treat to hear Judy join forces with such artists such as friend Bing Crosby, Dick Haymes, and the Merry Macs.

5 - Classic Judy Garland - You may or may not be able to tell that I am a big fan of Judy's Capitol recordings, especially those done in the mid and late 50s. This is a recent addition to my collection, I've only had it for a few months, and at quite a decent price as well. It's more than worth its weight in gold - this might possibly be one of the best samplings of Judy's work through the 50s and 60s. This 2-disc set also includes Judy's heart-breaking version of "Over the Rainbow", where she breaks into tears toward the end. I'm not too keen on that song, but that recording never fails to move me.

4 - Collector's Gems from the MGM Films - Best sampling ever of rare and deleted songs from Judy's expansive film career at MGM. Includes glorious outtakes and extended takes such as the notorious "Voodoo" number, "Minnie From Trinidad", and the altered finale for Presenting Lily Mars (as well as the deleted version!). The sound quality is superb for recordings that have long been hidden away and the album comes with a beautiful booklet which includes a short history and cast list on each film as well as recording dates.

3 - Judy at Carnegie Hall - What can I say? Really, this is one of the best albums out there, and I am happy to say that it is included in the book 1,001 Recordings You Must Hear Before You Die. I couldn't agree more. This album swept numerous Grammys (including Album of the Year) and firmly placed Judy in icon territory when it was released in 1961.
This recording leaves you breathless, each moment is absolute, positive perfection. Judy is happy, healthy, in great voice, and the audience can't get enough of her. Some people don't appreciate the patter and banter and storytelling that Judy tosses out to the audience, but for me, it only adds to the joy and light-heartedness of that night. A definite must have, and a great chill-inducer.

2 - Judy - This is another sentimental album for me, but really is one of Judy's best albums, and one of the very few real albums she released at Capitol that wasn't a compilation. It did quite well for itself when it was first released in October of 1956 (topped #17 on Billboard and stayed in the Top 40 for five weeks), but it's fairly rare now as far as I know. I had enough trouble trying to get the 90s CD single rerelease. Includes such lovelies as "Dirty Hands, Dirty Face", a rousing version of "Come Rain or Come Shine", and "Just Imagine".

1 - Judy in Love/Alone - My very favorite Garland album, and a newer addition to my collection. This collection is beautiful. It is a fine breadth of Judy's Capitol work. I find this set particularly interesting because it covers two sides (and therefore two different albums) of the music dedicated to love: joyful and melancholy. Judy in Love (1958) encompasses songs that celebrate the joys and bliss felt by one in love, such as "Do It Again", "This is It", and (my personal favorite) "I'm Confessing That I Love You".
Alone (1957) on the other hand owns the sad side of falling in love - "By Myself", "Me and My Shadows", and "Blue Prelude". This album is truly unique - Judy's voice is sultry, deep, and beautifully in control, and she weaves magic as only she can.
This is a wonderful collection to kick back in the evening and play - it's mellow, wonderfully arranged, and a joy to listen to.

Judy at Carnegie Hall - Review

2010-01-14T09:59:00.000-08:00

I think it's about time that I posted something to bring in the new year. So first off, HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!!

Christmas 2009 was a very happy, Judy-filled holiday for me, and among the beautiful gifts I received (including a 2010 membership to that long-coveted Judy Garland Club) was the 40th anniversary two-disc set of Judy at Carnegie Hall.
The album is far from new to me; I used to have one that my sister bought me (oddly enough for Christmas) two years ago. Sadly, the last 10 minutes of the album, which consisted of "Chicago" and the applause and curtain calls, were all obliterated by a faulty second disc. This was especially heartbreaking to me, as it is probably my favorite part of the entire concert.
After quite a few years (almost four, in fact) of not hearing it, I listened to it from beginning to end. And like the first time I heard it, was absolutely awestruck. Judy holds the audience in the palm of her hand, definitely proving the immense talent that was ingrained from her early vaudevillian days.

The wonder does not lie in the volume, anybody can sing loud. Rather, it is the complete and utter power (whilst maintaining complete control) that she brings forth in her songs. An example of this would be the Capitol version of Judy at The Palace medley, in which Judy lyrically professes her fortune in being able to "play" the most prestigious theater in the United States at the time. Included in this medley are short samples of songs by big names who performed before her. Listen to her sing the snippet of "Some of These Days", originally made famous by Sophie Tucker. As Garland's voice climbs and masters the mountainous notes that claim "days", you are blown away with a kind of rippling rumble that encompasses those syllables. It is enough to throw you clear out of your seat.

Carnegie Hall encompasses that same kind of power. Listen to the final stanza of "Stormy Weather" -- the "can't go on" part. Once again, there is that heart-stopping throb that hits you where it counts most and leaves you wondering if you (or Judy) will survive until the end of the song. The power and energy is that intense; the thought that such a strength could have existed so monumentally in a single human being is astounding. The same force exists in the numbers "Alone Together", "Come Rain or Come Shine", and "Chicago".
Equally amazing are the tender ballads that Judy sings; "Do It Again" and "I Can't Give You Anything But Love" are two wonderful love songs that she charms as only she can. And whether she's belting out one of those "marches and holiday songs" or weaving a beautiful mix between joy and pathos in a ballad, she forever remains Miss Show Business for the entire two hours plus of the concert.

But the best part by far occurs at the end, after all the applause has died down, Judy has left the stage with the final words "Good night, God bless!", and the shuffling of the crowd has begun, and a single male voice quietly rises up with the words "Bravo, bravo."

Bravo, bravo indeed.

*Pictures courtesy of The Judy Room

10 Things Judy Garland Has Taught Me

2009-12-08T18:04:00.000-08:00

Through the five years that I've been a Judy fan, there's been plenty of things that she has taught me along the way. Here is a list of 10 things that Judy has taught me through her music and life:

10. Treat uniqueness as a strength
  No performer can top or even equal Judy, simply because she was so set apart from the usual, ordinary entertainer. Her voice, her looks, her nuances, and her way of emoting a song were all truly unique to the performer that she was, and they can not be emulated by anyone else. (Yes, that means you, Rufus!!)

9. Beauty comes from within
  Judy always doubted her physical beauty, yet those who knew her best recall her for the glow that seemed to surround her wherever she went. She was remembered for her laughter, her joy, her enthusiasm and yes, her beauty. Beauty comes from what we reveal in our actions and our attitude, not our face.

8. Music is your soul
  Judy has taught me to truly appreciate what music is and what it's all about: emotion, rhythm, passion, and just feelin' good! Music is a very prominent part of my life now, thanks to Judy. Nobody can live without it.

7. Search for strength within yourself, not through others
  All too often I have made the mistake of searching for belief in my abilities through others. Because of Judy, I have learned that you can't depend on others for things you need for your sake. Belief in yourself is one of the most important qualities a person can have.

6. Yes, you can
  Being human, positivity can be an extremely hard quality to maintain, especially with the little challenges life throws at you more than you care to count. But knowing how to push forward when things look black is something that Judy was no stranger to during her career.

5. Praise is not a measure of success
  Despite being nominated for two major films, Judy never won an Academy Award (excluding her "munchkin" Oscar for The Wizard of Oz), nor did she win a "real" Tony. Yet, as many fans are quick to point out, Judy didn't need an award to prove that she was a wonderful performer. She just was!

4. You have to be at the bottom to move up
  Progress does not begin on a hillside; if you're already at the top, there's no place to move.

3. Strive for the best
  Judy gave 110% of her effort (and maybe her soul) to her performances, whether on stage, screen, or in the recording studio. Effort is not merely required for the big mountains that must be overcome, but for the little mole hills as well.

2. The good stuff never gets old
  Despite trying many times throughout her show business career, Judy was never truly able to stray away from her "classic" material, owing to the fact that her audience consistently clamored for it. Garland standards like "Over the Rainbow", "The Trolley Song", and the oft requested "Chicago" never get old, simply because they're well known and well, great songs!
People still recognize Judy today, as well as Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Nat 'King' Cole, and many others because they were all talented in their own way. They are remembered because they were truly great artists.

1. Be yourself
  It has to be said; Judy's most famous quote is "Be a first-rate version of yourself instead of a second-rate imitation of somebody else." If there's any one principle that needs to be followed, that's the one.

*Thanks to Martha for inspiring this post from her "Life Lessons from Judy Garland Movies" on her Urban Excavations blog!

Re: The International Judy Garland Club

2009-11-23T09:51:00.000-08:00

In 2007 The International Judy Garland Club, which was founded by Lorna Smith in 1963 to celebrate the career and talent of Judy Garland, quit the publication of the Garland magazine "The Rainbow Review". Gary Horrocks, the editor of 'Judy Garland - a Celebration' has announced that "The Rainbow Review" will once again become available to members of the club.
Scott Brogan's Judy Room website is probably a better place to get more information than my blog, but I just wanted to give a shout out for the wonderful news!
Though the club can still be paid by check, the new and preferred method of payment is via PayPal, and made out to the email address judygarlandclub@googlemail.com.

I am sincerely hoping to become a member of this (I mean, come on -- you even get a membership card!!), and am adding a 2010 subscription to my Christmas List. Keeping my fingers crossed!

Click here to download the PDF file for the subscription forms, as well as to read more information on the club.

*Images from thejudyroom.com

A Star is Remembered

2009-11-09T09:16:00.000-08:00

I consider A Star is Born to be one of the best of Judy's movies, and a terrific film unto itself. The story, the music, and especially the cinematography all seem to fall into place beautifully, creating something that really is quite unique.

This film earns my appreciation for several reasons. One, it's very different from the usual film musicals of the period; Singin' in the Rain and The Band Wagon come to mind. Musicals such as these have their merit in their own right, but ASIB (as fans refer to it) is a much more serious film, dealing with success versus failure, love and marriage, sincerity versus the false glamour of Hollywood, and even suicide. Such hard, "cold" topics were rarely seen in films of the 1950s, and even less so in musicals.
Secondly, the music is fantastic. Songs like "A New World", "Someone at Last", and of course "The Man That Got Away" do not readily leave your memory -- they're catchy, well-written, and a joy to listen to. Not to mention the hair-raising, goosebump-inducing notes Judy cries out in "Born in a Trunk" (I - DAAAAAAAA - HOOOOOO!) If you do not get chills when hearing that, you have no soul.
Lastly, the film is just beautiful, especially the cinematography. Sure it has little skips and continuity mistakes, but what film doesn't? Gone With the Wind has hundreds! And Judy?

Well, Judy is just Judy. Perfection.

All of these factors come together perfectly, and despite containing some serious topics, A Star is Born remains a magical and captivating film and even the history and its restoration in 1983 support this.
While listening to the soundtrack of the memorable film a few days ago, I got to thinking about the restoration, and how a documentary has never been made about the history, production, and resurfacing of the missing material. Brainstorming and thought work began to come into play, and an idea sprouted in my mind.

Suppose I make a documentary in honor of this movie?

For the last few days I've been sorting out the content of the feature, and I've already started making the video itself, and at this point, I am realizing just how hard and expansive it really is!! I'm hoping to get my hands on a copy of Ron Haver's book on the 1983 restoration, but I'm a bit scant on money right now. Christmas, maybe?

Anyhow, this will be my big "Judy project" for the year -- I'm hoping to make this as thorough and as professional as possible, and I want it to be accurate and enjoyable for fellow fans out there! If all goes well and YouTube doesn't get copyright happy, I'll try to post it up and share with everyone. If not, well ... we'll figure something out.
In the meantime, as Judy would say, sing the day away!!

Just For Openers

2009-11-05T09:01:00.000-08:00

Hello, everybody!!

Well this is blog number three ... let's see if this one makes any progress. I obviously have an extreme interest in it or else I wouldn't have created it in the first place!!

This blog, like my website The Garland Legend (which at the moment is going through some updates), is a tribute to a woman who made a profound mark on the world of music, film, and perhaps even humanity itself. This may sound terribly dramatic, but I'm sure my fellow fans understand. ;)

I'm planning on having this blog as a place to just post up those happy little Judy occurrences: spotting a Wizard of Oz poster in the subway, hearing a song of hers played in JC Penney, hearing her mentioned on a television show ... Those little sightings often make my day and I like to share them.

If anything, this is a tribute to Judy to celebrate the gifts that she gave the world as an entertainer.

A little bit about myself. I became a Judy fan in the summer of 2004 after hearing her rendition of "The Man That Got Away". I already knew about the song, even knew about Judy, but one afternoon I was listening to a general musical compilation album and it was almost as though I was really "hearing" this song for the first time. And was absolutely blown away. Five years, many movies and books and countless CDs later, I am now a devoted fan. And hope to be for the rest of my life.

So I think that's substantial enough for now, and I already have some ideas for some more posts. I hope I keep this up!! :D