It wasn’t long until the life of show business began reeling in the young Frances Gumm.
The move occurred after rumors claimed that Garland’s father made advances toward the male ushers at their theater.
It was in California whereEthel Gummbegan encouraging her daughters to get into motion pictures.
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Eventually, the trio gained some popularity and began to tour as “The Gumm Sisters.
Another story claims that the sisters chose the name because of famed drama critic,Robert Garland.
Although this has never been confirmed, the Gumm Sisters soon became the Garland Sisters in 1934.
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The young Frances then changed her name to Judy after being inspired by a popularHoagy Carmichaelsong at the time.
Many of the locations the girls performed at were extremely inappropriate for young children.
Ethel Gumm would often push her children to their limits, and the performances seemed never-ending.
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So, I’d go out and sing.”
I think it had a very damaging effect on her emotionally for a long time.
I think it lasted forever, really."
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I remember this more vividly than anything else about my childhood."
Garland was 12 years old when her father died.
I’d never been to a funeral.
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I was ashamed because I couldn’t cry, so I feigned it.
The pair became a famous duo, and they went on to co-star in multiple Andy Hardy films.
Like Garland, Rooney also had a vaudeville background, and both came from troubled families.
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At the end of the performance, Clark Gable walked right up to the 14-year-old and kissed her.
Although Garland and Rooney were cast in many films together, Garland never played the love interest.
The love interest in the film was played by famous starlet,Lana Turner.
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Who wouldn’t want to go out with me?
I had my own car.
I had some nickels in my pocket.
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And I was somebody."
ProducersArthur FreedandMervyn LeRoyindeed wanted her cast from the beginning, but the studio chief wantedShirley Templefrom 20th Century Fox.
Studios ripped away Garlands childhood by forcing her to follow a rigorous regimen.
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She would sadly admit as an adult that, “I was always lonesome.
The only time I felt accepted or wanted was when I was on stage performing.
I guess the stage was my only friend; the only place where I could feel comfortable.
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It was the only place where I felt equal and safe.”
Despite ultimatums on both ends, Garland went through with the marriage anyway on July 28, 1941.
Garland and Rose separated after only eight months, and they divorced in 1944.
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Her hair was dyed blonde, and she was given beautiful and elegant gowns to wear.
Audiences were outraged and confused about this new and womanly Garland.
She soon returned to her most famous and fitting stereotype inMeet Me in St. Louis.
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The event traumatized Garland, and she suffered quite an emotional episode.
After the event, Garland showed up for work the next day as though nothing had ever happened.
Although Garland saw great success with the filmEaster Parade, her health continued to decline.
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She ended up marrying Luft that same year, a marriage which had its ups and downs.
The pair divorced in 1960.
She had her own television show
During the early 60s, Garland’s career was thriving.
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Garland also tried her hand at television, and she starred inThe Judy Garland Showfrom 1963 to 1964.
While romancing Garland, Herron introduced her daughter, Liza Minnelli, to his friend, Peter Allen.
Eventually, Minnelli married Allen, but their wedding night was anything but blissful.
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Garland and Herron divorced 17 months after the incident.
You got her up there looking the way she does.
With Liza’s great success came great financial reward.
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Her character was meant to be an older woman who had a particularly bad temper.
Other stories say that Garland hadn’t been comfortable with the role from the start.
Regardless, Garland was fired from the film and took home a settlement payment of $37,500.
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She remained a financial and moral supporter of various causes, including the Civil Rights Movement.
and he explained it all to me."
Liza Minnelliexplained that her mother would experience extreme mood swings.
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She said, “If she was happy, she wasn’t just happy.
And when she was sad, she was sadder than anyone.”
She asked, “Why do people insist on seeing an aura of tragedy around me always?
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My life isn’t tragic at all.
I laugh a lot these days.
At myself, too.
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Lord, If I couldn’t laugh at myself, I don’t think I’d be alive.”
In an attempt to stabilize herself financially, she began appearing at the Palace Theatre in New York.
But there were too many nights when she just didn’t come in at all.
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Or she came in terribly late, by which time the good will of the audience had largely disappeared.
‘I haven’t been taught anything new since silent movies,’ she croaks."
The beloved actress was desperately trying to hang on to the one thing she loved the most, performing.
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The illnesses came about due to Garlands dangerous free-time activities which had become dependant on for over a decade.
Stevie Phillips, the stars former agent, described the star as demented, demanding, and supremely talented.
While in the hospital, Garland was visited by Random House editor, Bennett Cerf.
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He gave her a deal it seemed she couldnt refuse at the time.
In 1966, she approached Random House in hopes of finishing the book, but they declined.
Its difficult to believe that one of the biggest stars of the time, ended up completely penniless.
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Her ex-assistant, Stevie Phillips said, she was virtually a homeless person.
She was sleeping on the couches of her fans.
Deans was 12 years her junior, and he was a musician and former disco manager.
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When interviewed about their relationship, Garland heartbreakingly replied, “Finally, finally, I am loved.”
When she passed, Liza was 23 and Lorna was 16.
Liza has admitted in an interview, You cant ever get in the way of talent like my moms.
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That talent will come through again, and again, and again.
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