Here's a small pictoral tribute to the greatest singer of this century.





Francis Gumm in Vaudeviille. About 5 or 6 years old. She was re named Judy Garland soon after. Judy for a popular song at the time, and Garland because she was "pretty as a garland of flowers". She sang "Jingle Bells" and even at that young age, she brought the house down. People forget she was a true child prodigy.







Judy gets an MGM contract and begins to make a mark in "And Hardy" movies. She attends school on the lot with other contract players Elizabeth Taylor, and Lana Turner. She feels inadequate and ugly. But when she sang, no one could touch her. Her first major hit "Dear Mr. Gable9 You Made Me Love You)" becomes the #1 hit across America and Europe. She becomes the youngest star to ever achieve that sort of fame.





"The Wizard Of Oz" was bought specifically for her. It was never intended for anyone else. She won a "Jr." Oscar for her performance. The only Academy Award she would ever win. It brought her international stardom and the song that was almost cut from the film, "Somwhere Over The Rainbow", became her anthem.





Judy begins to grow up.





Her first non singing role "The Clock" is heralded by critics, loved by audiences, and establishes Garland as an actress AND a singer. Unheard of in the 40's. There were very few actresses having the kind of sucsess she was having. No one was selling out concerts, making hit records, and doing dramatic work. Judy was now the #1 box office draw in the country.





Judy rehearsing.





Judy Garland and Fred Astair in a publicity photo for "Easter Parade". A brilliant movie with songs composed specifically for her by Irving Berlin. Astair adored her and said of Judy:

"She is the most professional woman on the planet. She may not show up until Noon, but when she does, it's worth the wait. I'd wait a lifetime for a couple of minutes with Judy."





My favorite picture of Judy. Taken by the great George Hurrell.






"Meet Me In St Louis". Judy wanted more grown up roles and resisted the role of prim and proper Esther. Eventually, with Vincent Minnelli's urging, she gave in, and it eventually became one of her favorite roles. Is there anything better than "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas"? Again..written for her.





Judy insisted that an unknown Broadway hoofer be her co star in "For Me and My Gal". Gene Kelly became a star from that movie, and they were later teamed in a formulatic Garland Vehicle "Summer Stock, in which Judy performed the now classic "Get Happy".






When American women wanted to BE Judy Garland.




Garland in a hat.




"A Star Is Born". Arguably, one of the greatest musical performances by an actor in the history of movies. She was nominated for an Oscar for Best Actress, but lost out to Grace Kelly for "The Country Girl". The world was stunned. When Kelly won, even SHE looked shocked. "The Man That Got Away" is a miniature 3 act play. Again, composed by Harold Arlen for his muse: Judy Garland.





Remember variety shows? Singing? Dancing? Tuxes? Long dresses? No lip synching? Judy had a TV show for a year that was nominated for 5 Emmys. Here she is introducing a new singer (Barbra Streisand on her first television show), and The Smothers Brothers. The DVDs of this show are historic. There are peformances that are the only record we have of Garland singing everything from Showtunes, to Jazz, to Pop, to Blues.





The only one to win an Emmy for The Judy Garland Show was Babs. She won for best performance by a guest star. The duet of "Get Happy" and "Happy Days" was Judy's idea. Her musical ability was unparralleled. Still a genius, she never read a note of music. She learned everything by ear, and then sang it through, pitch perfect.

"Judy would hear a piece of music once and have both the words and the notes letter perfect. It was almost like she was a machine. I've never seen anythig like it before in my life."

-Mort Lindsey


"If you asked me to describe the best blues singer in the business, I would have to say Judy Garland. No one sang the blues like Judy. No one."

- Aretha Franklin


"People always thought I was funny. I was never funny. You know who was truly funny? Judy Garland. Judy Garland was funny. She made me look like a mortician."

-Lucille Ball





Happy.




Judy made history again when her Carnegie Hall concert sold out within hours. Remember, this is back in the day before there were cell phones and the internet. If you wanted tickets, you called the theater, or you waited outside. Her live album won her 5 Grammys. She was the first woman in history to accomplish this. Live At Carnegie Hall continues to sell to this day.




A copy of the review of her concert at the London Palladium. Again, breaking all box office records.




Her bravura performance in Stanley Kramer's "Judgment At Nuremburg". Kramer asked specifically for Garland. She was nominated for another Oscar for supporting actress for this film. but lost out to Patty Duke for "The Miracle Worker".




Judy in a wardrobe test for "Valley Of The Dolls". What a role that would have been for her.





I love her when she's silly.














There will never be another like her. Not ever.