Come And Meet Those Happy Feet

On This Day In Herstory (September 30, 1953)

September 30, 1953 ... a little over a month into production on A STAR IS BORN at the Warner Bros. lot in Burbank, Judy poses for a costume test photo.

JUDY, FRANK, AND DEAN, 1962

INSIDE CADOGAN LANE

Judy Garland and Mickey Deans (Mr and Mrs Michael DeVinko) photographed inside their London home, March, 1969.

On This Day In Herstory (September 29, 1967)

September 29, 1967 ... on stage at Cobo Hall in Detroit during her post-Palace fall tour.

CADOGAN LANE THEN AND NOW

1969



2011



Judy Garland's London home. Recent photos by Wayne Hitt taken on September 3, 2011. All photos courtesy of the Charles Triplett collection.

LIZA MINNELLI: ROMANCING THE SONG

Liza Minnelli will soldier through surgeries, divorces and rehab, then turn around and put on a Broadway show about making her comeback.

She’ll get nostalgic for a minute— as if there were a minute she wasn’t— and perform a concert of songs from the films of her late father, the director Vincente Minnelli.

Last year, while recuperating from knee surgery, she recorded an album in her bedroom— “Confessions,” her jazz record released last September. She sat up in bed, she said during a recent telephone interview, confined there for three weeks, and sang while legendary music director Billy Stritch played piano. Her record label liked it and decided to release it.

When your name comes with a song about how it’s spelled, anything is possible.

The album is tender and restrained, and subsequently fantastic. It offers a surprisingly introspective Liza, one more contemplative about love and life than we’re used to seeing.

But the true love of her life, the one that matters most, perhaps, is not with any individual. Not with her audience, her co-stars, her four ex-husbands, her father and probably not even with Mama, Judy Garland.

Her real love affair is with her songs. The romance began at age 8.

“It was my hobby, learning lyrics and songs,” she says, “because they expressed what I was feeling so much better than I could. My father used to play Gershwin all the time, so I learned those. They explained to me how I was feeling.”

To hear her wax nostalgic about her childhood can be spellbinding, with the treasure trove of personalities, and also lackluster, with the lack of anyone else. Because what mode of measurement exists for a life lived completely in the spotlight? Where does one go for beauty and magnificence when all that surrounds you, it would appear, is beautiful and magnificent?

“I choose songs for their story— if it’s just a beautiful song,” says Minnelli. “I think everybody, when they hear a song, goes into a certain mood. When you hear something it affects you, right? Maybe you have a memory. I create that for myself, and then I sing it.”

Minnelli will re-create those memories when she performs at 8 p. m. Friday in the Seneca Niagara Casino. It is her second area appearance in as many years.

Her repertoire these days is focused on tracks from “Confessions,” which should sit well in this intimate venue. But Minnelli also comes with a chest of classics ready for a dusting. She is happy to oblige.

“There’s an angle of gratitude in there, I must say. It’s my job,” she says. “Each night, I have to sing ‘New York, New York’ and ‘Cabaret’ like I’ve never sung [them] before. And that’s where the acting training comes in, where you really are in character.”

Her star-making role at 23 as Sally Bowles in 1972’s “Cabaret,” based on the John Kander and Fred Ebb-penned stage musical, was a defining moment. It earned her the Academy Award for best actress and established her performance style, which is both theatrical and accessible. She has sung the film’s torchy “Maybe This Time” and title song countless times. She could phone it in, but she doesn’t.

Her theatrical interpretation is rare in today’s music, even with large-scale production numbers from “Glee” and Lady Gaga, whom she calls smart and “a really good singer.” There are few, if any, theater-pop crossover acts like the one Minnelli had in her youth. Her 1989 dance album, “Results,” produced by Euro synth masters the Pet Shop Boys, featured a disco version of Stephen Sondheim’s famous ballad, “Losing My Mind.”

But Minnelli is simpler now, in her music and in her presentation. She tours constantly and releases live albums every few years. Even with a full orchestra, her shows are pulled off without much ado, without many costume changes, and without reserve. For her, the songs are the stars. In them, she finds her childhood, her hopes, her joy, her distress, her friends, her mama. Her reason.

“For each song I have a character sheet. What does her hair look like? Where does she come from? What happened right up until the second she sang this song?” Minnelli explains. “Somebody must ask the question. It’s a character study.”

Concert Preview

Liza Minnelli

8 p. m. Friday in the Seneca Niagara Casino Events Center, 310 Fourth St., Niagara Falls.

Tickets are $55-$85 (box office). Call 278-4944 or visit www.senecaniagaracasino.com.

This article is by By Benjamin Siegel and appeared in the Buffalo News:

http://www.buffalonews.com/entertainment/gusto/music/concert-previews/article572752.ece
or click on the header of this post to be directed to buffalonews.com

On This Day In Herstory (September 28, 1960)

September 28, 1960 ... with Maurice Chevalier at his home outside Paris, where Judy was the guest of honor at a luncheon on or near this date.

On This Day In Herstory (September 27, 1963)

September 27, 1963 ... with George Maharis on the set at CBS ... taping show number 8 of THE JUDY GARLAND SHOW.

On This Day In Herstory (September 26, 1942)

September 26, 1942 ... photo taken on the set of PRESENTING LILY MARS at M-G-M.

Photo by M-G-M staff lensman William "Ed" Cronenweth.

And according to uber collector, Charles Triplett, this costume will be up for auction this coming December.

NEW FILES POSTED TO THE YAHOO GROUP (for the week of September 25, 2011)

Here is a list of the new files posted to TJGE for the week of September 25, 2011. To gain access to the files you must be a member of the Yahoo version of The Judy Garland Experience.

A JUDY MOMENT
In this late 1968 performance, Judy takes command of the trolley (song) and after a few scary moments where you are certain you are going to crash and die, Judy get's it together, jumps tracks, and takes that trolley to an unexpected, but exciting, destination.  

BING AND ROSIE # 395
Originally broadcast on September 4, 1961.

COULDA SHOULDA WOULDA
Kander and Ebb and Liza Minnelli were a perfect match, but this particular Kander and Ebb song almost sounds like it was written for Judy. Here it is performed by Dinah Shore, who reaches a personal artistic best with her heart wrenching rendition of it.

DUET OF THE WEEK
Despite their sixty year age difference these two sound like they have been waiting all their lives to sing together.  

ENCORE
"She was somewhat shady...that elegant lady" Mark Murphy finds a goove and creates a mood, and then things start getting real.  

JUDY AND ANDY 1965
Judy Garland on The Andy William Show.

JUDY GARLAND IN CONCERT
Live at the Metropolitan Opera House, 1959.

JUDY TAKES CHARGE
Judy is guest host on this episode of the Merv Griffin show that aired in early January, 1969. Margaret Hamilton opens the show with Judy and then has to run to catch the crosstown bus (oh, the irony), but not before Judy gets to exclaim "You're my favorite Witch!" Other guests include The Strawberry Alarm Clock, Moms Mabley, and Van Johnson. This program marked Judy's final appearance on American television.

MEMBERS ONLY
Audio sharing.
 
SUNDAY MORNING SPECIAL
Maria Callas live in Athens, 1957.

THE BIG SHOW
Tallulah Bankhead plays host to Judy Garland, Groucho Marx, Dean Martin, The Andrews Sisters, and others, 1951.

WHERE JUDY PLAYED
Mahalia Jackson at Lincoln Center.  


Not a member of the Yahoo version of The Judy Garland Experience? No worries, it is easy and free to join, just click on the header of this post.

On This Day In Herstory (September 25, 1964)

September 25, 1964 ... posing for photographers in the drawing room of her rented home in The Boltons, Kensington [in London], having just bounced back from a stay in a nursing home.

Photo Credit: Daily Express [London].

WITH APOLOGIES TO ANDY WILLIAMS

Here is this week's new homepage for the Yahoo version of the experience.

JUDY AND THE LI'L LOTHARIO

The cocky look on Jackie Cooper's face tells us all we need to know. He's about 16 or 17 here but looks like he has the swagger of an experienced Lothario twice his age

I believe the stories about teenage Jackie having trysts with Norma Shearer, Joan Crawford and all those other Hollywood ladies of a certain age.

SING OUT, LOUISE!

Judy Garland with her mother, Ethel Gumm, at the piano.

On This Day In Herstory (September 24, 1955)

September 24, 1955 ... poster advertising Judy's TV debut on FORD STAR JUBILEE ... also the first broadcast of this Ford-sponsored CBS program.

On This Day In Herstory (September 23, 1940)

September 23, 1940 ... publicity photo taken on the set of LITTLE NELLIE KELLY at M-G-M, showing Judy with director Norman Taurog.

On This Day In Herstory (September 22, 1955)

September 22, 1955 ... in rehearsal for her television debut on FORD STAR JUBILEE ... with child vocalist Mitsuko Sawamura and adult actor David Wayne. Promotional photo taken to promote the "live" broadcast due to air on September 24th.

Photo Credit: CBS / United Press Newsphoto

A MUNCHKIN TURNS 93!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO KARL SLOVER!

From Wikipedia:
Slover was born as Karl Kosiczky on September 21, 1918 in Prakovce, Slovakia (than Prakfalva, Kingdom of Hungary ). Diagnosed at an early age with pituitary dwarfism, Slover was barely two feet tall by his eighth birthday. Dwarfism was not a family trait; his father stood six feet six inches, and his mother was just a few inches shorter. Slover's father went to great lengths to make Slover taller including taking him to Hungary where doctors fixed stretchers to his arms and legs.

When Slover was just nine years old, his father sent him to work for a traveling midget show based out of Berlin, Germany. After working with the show for several years, Slover moved to the United States where he joined another traveling show.[2] It wasn't long before Slover began appearing as midgets in films like The Terror of Tiny Town, Block-Heads, Bringing Up Baby, and They Gave Him a Gun.

Slover was working in Hawaii when his circus manager sent him to Hollywood, where "little people" were needed for an upcoming film called The Wizard of Oz. At the age of 21 and standing just 4 feet 4 inches (making him the smallest of the Munchkins), Slover played the parts of four munchkins in the movie; the first trumpeter, a soldier, one of the sleepy heads, and was among those who sang 'Follow the Yellow Brick Road'.
After filming 'Oz', Slover began working for the 'Original World Famous Singers Midget Show' where he sang and danced throughout the United States. When the show ended in 1942, Slover joined the Royal American Carnival in Tampa, Florida. It was at this time that he took the last name, Slover; the last name of his stage manager.

Slover has remained very active in his later years and has participated in several celebrations related to the Wizard of Oz. Every June, Slover attends festivities celebrating Judy Garland's birthday at the Judy Garland Museum & Birthplace in Grand Rapids, Minnesota.[6] In November 2007, Slover joined seven other surviving munchkins in Hollywood where honorary mayor Johnny Grant unveiled a star dedicated to the munchkins on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_Slover

On This Day In Herstory (September 21, 1945)

September 21, 1944 ... on the set of THE CLOCK with Robert Walker.

On This Day In Herstory (September 20, 1961)

September 20, 1961 ... on the Denver, Colorado stop in her post-Carnegie Hall tour ... performing at the Coliseum.

Photo courtesy of the Charles Triplett Collection.

On This Day In Herstory (September 19, 1959)

September 19, 1959 ... arriving at the celebrity-packed event at 20th Century-Fox studios honoring Nikita Khrushchev while he was visiting Los Angeles ... Judy is following George Cukor and Marilyn Monroe as they made their way to their seats.

For more frivolous information on this historic event click here:
http://thejudygarlandexperience.blogspot.com/2010/10/day-judy-and-marilyn-met-khrushchev.html

NEW FILES POSTED TO THE YAHOO GROUP (for the week of September 18, 2011)

To listen to these audio files please visit the Yahoo version of The Judy Garland Experience.

A JUDY MOMENT
This 1939 performance finds Judy on the cusp of serious superstardom.

BING AND ROSIE # 394
Another entry in our seemingly endless supply of episodes from Bingg Crosby and Rosemary Clooney's morning radio show. This edition was originally broadcast on September 1, 1961.

COULDA SHOULDA WOULDA
So many people have always wondered "What if" when they think of I'm Still Here from Follies and Judy Garland, but I've always thought that some of the other songs from the score would have been more suited to Judy, particularly this one.

DUET OF THE WEEK
Liza's back and this time she's singing with Fred Ebb!

ENCORE
Well, of course we're bringing back those exciting outtakes from the Judy Takes Broadway sessions for an encore.

JUDY AND JACK Round Two
Judy Garland returns to the Jack Paar show, December 11, 1964. Judy sings somewhat ragged versions of Never Will I Marry and What Now My Love (America's debut of Judy's rendition of the song) but with outrageous stories told with impeccable timing she slays 'em in the comedy department. For better or worse, one of Judy's more memorable post series television appearances.
 
JUDY GARLAND IN CONCERT
The Palladium, 1951.

LADY ESTHER BLODGETT THEATER
Presents JUDY GARLAND and MICKEY ROONEY with Suzie Gumm in STRIKE UP THE BAND.

MEMBERS ONLY
Audio sharing.

SUNDAY MORNING SPECIAL
Live Italian radio broadcast of a performance Frank Sinatra gave at Monte Carlo's "Sporting Club" in 1958. Original commentary included (along with Noel Cowards French/English introduction).

WHERE JUDY PLAYED
June Christy at the Los Angeles Philharmonic, 1950.


To listen to these audio files please visit the Yahoo version of The Judy Garland Experience.
http://movies.groups.yahoo.com/group/thejudygarlandexperience/  

On This Day In Herstory (September 18, 1962)

Per David Price "September 18, 1962 ... opening night at the Sahara Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. With all pistons firing, Judy fulfilled a 4-week engagement which was then extended, playing to packed rooms at a 2:30 AM show time. So many great photos of her exist from this engagement, but since color live performance photos are relatively rare, I've chosen this one."

A Young Judy Garland With Joe E. Brown

Dinners With Spouses David And Vincente

Judy Garland with husbands David Rose (top) and Vincente Minnelli (bottom).

Dr. Welby Approves

Robert Young seems to be enjoying watching Judy Garland sign autographs.

A HOLLYWOOD PRINCESS 1942

Sid, Lorna, And Judy On The Set Of A Star Is Born

Sid Lufy, Lorna Luft, and Judy Garland on the set of A Star is Born.

The Minnelli's And Miss Sydney

Vincente Minnelli and Judy Garland out on the town with close friend Sylvia Sydney.

On This Day In Herstory (September 17, 1941)

September 17, 1941 ... portrait taken during production on BABES ON BROADWAY, perhaps a costume or hair/make-up shot.

Photo Credit: M-G-M staff photographer William Grimes

BOX OFFICE CHAMPIONS

And after Judy and Mickey led her away Shirley Temple was never heard from again!

4 GIRLS 4 (oh to be a fly on the wall)

Jayne Mansfield, Liza MInnelli, Mitzi Gaynor, and Kaye Ballard, 1967. What do you think they talked about????

HOLLYWOOD'S CHILDREN

Liza Mnnelli, daughter of the legendary Judy Garland and iconic film director Vincente Minnelli is seen with occasional escort, and lifelong friend, Rock Brynner, son of motion picture actor, Yul Brynner.

Helen Hayes, Yul Brynner, Gertrude Lawrence, Phil Silvers, and Judy Garland.