Judy, Judy, Judy

Today would have been Judy Garland's 86th birthday. She was born Francies Ethel Gumm on June 10, 1922 in Grand Rapids, Minnesota the third daughter of Frank and Ethel Gumm. The Gumms, especially Mrs. Gumm, had vaudeville aspirations for their daughters. "Baby" Gumm made her debut at the age of two and she performed for the next 45 years.



I think for most people their entire experience of Judy is from The Wizard of Oz. As much as I love that movie, I think it only begins to showcase Judy's remarkable talent. Two other musicals, Meet Me in St. Louis and The Harvey Girls, showcase her even more.

Of course, Judy's musical masterpiece is 1954's A Star Is Born. She gives a tour de force performance that earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. Sadly, she lost the Oscar to Grace Kelly. The iconic performance from this film, I believe, is "The Man That Got Away."




As much as I enjoy her musical performances, I enjoy even more her dramatic performances. There are three films in which she does not sing any songs: 1945's The Clock, 1961's Judgment at Nuremberg (for which she was nominated for an Academy Award as Best Supporting Actress), and 1963's A Child Is Waiting. The last performance is truly amazing. I believe is shows what a consummate actress she was. If you watch it and then any of her musical roles, I believe you'll have a new found appreciation for her dramatic talents.

The most spectacular part of her career were the concerts she gave beginning in the mid 1950's until her death in 1969. This is where she truly came alive and gave her most riveting performances. I would include her 1963-64 television show in this part of her career as the shows were little more than hour long concerts. Here are some of my favorite performances:


"The Battle Hymn of the Republic" which she sang in memory to President Kennedy who had been assassinated just a couple of weeks before.


"If Love Were All" written by the great Noel Coward.


"Once in A Lifetime" live from the London Palladium.


"Hello Bluebird"

In her honor, watch one of her movies or listen to one of her recordings and be amazed all over again at her remarkable, gigantic talent.