A TRIBUTE TO JUDY VAN HERPEN, WITH MEMORIES AND EXCERPTS FROM THE 1964 BETTE DAVIS INTERVIEW

 by "Judy's Gang" 

Margo Slaughter, Maureen Davis, Norman Chramoff, Eleanor Lyon, and Ken Young

All Images Courtesy of Margo Slaughter's Personal Collection

Judy Van Herpen, 
a much loved friend and devoted Judy Garland fan all her life, 
known for attending almost every taping of "The Judy Garland Show" CBS series and whom Judy Garland herself called one of her "gang", 
sadly passed away in May 2013.

"Our friend (of 50 years!) Judy Van Herpen.  It's so hard for me to share my feelings for our friend.  I think when you've known someone for that many years, and have gone through so much together, you tend to take things for granted. We shouldn't, I know, but I think that's what we sometimes do.

We were born the same year, in fact. We were both just out of high school in June of l963 - that summer when Judy Garland started taping her Series at CBS Television City. We were all of 17 years old at the time! I felt a bond with Judy from the moment I met her. Of course, we always had the Judy Garland bond. All of us who met because of Judy Garland felt that way. But Judy Van Herpen was someone I felt I'd always known.

Judy was super intelligent, had a GREAT sense of humor, and was fiercely protective of Judy Garland. No one would DARE say anything against her - within earshot of her! I'll forever remember her great smile and quick wit - which are some of the things I always looked forward to whenever we were all able to get together over the years. And the fact that she was a good and decent person. How I wish she had taken better care of herself. I know "Judy's Gang" will never be the same now that she's left us. We all saw Judy Garland so many times together over the years - from TV shows to Vegas, to the Greek Theatre, and on and on and on.

We all love and miss you, Judy. You'll be in our hearts forever."

Love, 
Maureen

Judy Van Herpen in her high school years

"Judy was the best. A loyal true friend. Always funny and down to earth. 

Eleanor, Maureen, Margo and Judy VH patiently
waiting outside of CBS Television City in December 1963

Even though we didn't talk as much as she and Margo (Slaughter) did, whenever we did spend time together, it was like yesterday was the last time. 

I will miss her forever."

xoxoxo,

Elly

 

"As I look back at our fifty years of friendship, I know that I am the better for the fifty years she gave me. I was eleven when we met and she was my first experience with a wit extraordinaire! She was so smart, sharp and funny. Three years ago, when she drove us to San Diego for the strangest Judy concert ever, we had such fun. We never stopped talking and laughing that whole trip. It was as if fifty -- ouch! -- years hadn't passed. 

 Reunions of "Judy's Gang" at CBS-TV City - in 1978 and 2003.

We lived one of the greatest and luckiest experience ever. Glad that we shared so much and she will forever be in my heart and in my funny bone! If she read this she would be complaining about my grammar. I am sure that she continues clipping articles as we speak…" 

Norman

"When we were kids hanging out at CBS, I remember Judy's quick-wit sense of humor. Rapid-response quipster! We kept in touch via mail (remember that?) and reunited 40+ years later at our first Bench-kids reunion with George Sunga at CBS, that I believe Judy organized. Judy, Margo, Maureen, Elly, Norman and I all got together a few years later in the Valley. I'll always treasure our times together…

Speaking of "mail", I have a Judy-Traveling Postcard Story to share. When Judy VH and the Wenches went to see Judy Garland in Vegas, I couldn't be there but Judy VH sent me a beautiful JG picture postcard. On the back of the card, Judy VH signed it "Love, Judy."

Over the years, I often wondered what happened to that postcard. But after my bud, Al DiOrio passed, his sister found it going through his collection! I think I had lent it to Al when he was writing "Little Girl Lost." Thinking the message was written by Judy Garland herself, she sent it to me that Christmas -- where it sits on my computer desk today.

This postcard found it's way back home and remains a constant memory of happy times with Judy Van Herpen."

Ken

JOIN THE CLUB

The latest issue of JUDY GARLAND - A CELEBRATION has been published and sent to members of The International Judy Garland Club.

The focus is on the year 1962, and what a year that was for Judy Garland! 

Riding a crest of fame the likes of which show business hadn't seen before, Judy Garland was in demand everywhere, and Gary Horrocks and the magazine's staff capture the essence of that year in a life brilliantly. There are insightful and thought provoking editorials mixed in with a cornucopia of rare and exciting images. 

Over fifty breathtaking pages in all!

All reviews for this edition have been glowing, and almost all readers agree that this is the club's best offering to date. 

Like all previous editions, issue #5 is an immediate collector's item.

There is also a chatty and informative newsletter included that was provided by the club's newest edition, ace reporter, Marielle O'Neil.

Here's the link to the club's site:

THE INTERNATIONAL JUDY GARLAND CLUB

There you can find out how to join the only current (and official) Garland club or organization that can actually trace it's existence back to Judy. 

THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF OZ

From the promo material for John Fricke's new book, The Wonderful World Of Oz:

The wonderful world of Oz is a magical place—and has been for generations of Americans since L. Frank Baum penned his enduring classic in 1900. With the 1939 movie starring Judy Garland, Oz was forever woven into our culture. Over the course of the 20th century, Oz continued to capture the hearts of the American people—as well as people all over the world.

This book documents that magical journey through beautiful photographs of the world’s largest collection of Oz memorabilia. Whether it’s first-edition covers, a munchkin costume, or the Wicked playbill, the iconic items on these pages tell the story of America’s most beloved fairy tale. Come over the rainbow and see why there truly is no place like Oz.

John Fricke is the author of The Wizard of Oz: An Illustrated Companion to the Timeless Movie Classic, The Wizard of Oz: The Official 50th Anniversary Pictorial History, Judy: A Legendary Film Career, Judy Garland: World’s Greatest Entertainer. He is a two time Emmy Award-winning producer for PBS American Masters and A&E biography documentaries about Judy Garland. He lives in New York City.

John Fricke is seen here hosting the premiere of the 3D version of The Wizard Of Oz at the world famous Grauman's Chinese Theatre.

Mr. Fricke will be in New York City signing copies of his new book, The Wonderful World Of Oz, on Thursday, November 21 between 5-7 p.m. at Books of Wonder, 18 W. 18th Street.

The following are some sample pages that were shared with us by the book's publisher, 

Down East Books.

The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz is available at book stores everywhere and can also be ordered electronically by clicking on this link:

The Wonderful World Of Oz

STEPPING INTO OZ

The Wizard of OZ: The 75^th Anniversary in 3D

Reviewed by Jared Kenwood

On September 20^th Warner Bros. Pictures and IMAX theatres joined together to present for one week only, in honor of its 75^th anniversary “The Wizard of OZ,” re-mastered and for the first time transferred to 3D. The celebration of the films anniversary includes a 25 million dollar promotional campaign including: McDonalds Happy Meals, Simon Mall events, QVC specials, character appearances in the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving day parade and a brand new 3D blu release for home entertainment.

Nearly 75 years ago Judy Garland skipped down the Yellow Brick Road as the Kansas farm girl, Dorothy Gale. Could anyone have ever predicted that after all those years millions of people all over the world would still adore the film today? On June 4^th when Warner announced in a press release that they planned to release the film in 3D, there were initially a lot of mixed opinions from many moviegoers. The Wizard of OZ in one of the most beloved films in cinema history, and well protected. The concern with converting OZ to 3D was whether or not it would be damaging to the films legacy? Would the film be altered or ruined?  Would its everlasting value that has made it withstand the test of time diminish?  

Despite these original concerns, The Wizard of OZ: An IMAX 3D Experience has been released and played in select IMAX theaters across the country proving to be quite successful. Many have praised the fine 3D work. You literally feel as though you are in the house that lands on the Wicked Witch, as though you are standing in front of the great and powerful OZ himself, or actually being attacked by flying monkeys. Joe Shipbaugh, age 26 who has been a lifelong OZ fan and regularly attends OZ festivals all over the country shares with readers, “I grew up watching The Wizard of OZ. Sometimes two or three times a day. With every rerelease of the film, I was convinced they couldn’t make it any better. The 75^th anniversary restoration of the film does just that. While watching the movie on the big screen and in 3D, it was as if I were there in OZ. This American Icon should easily last another 75 years and beyond.”

The process of turning OZ into a 3D film took a team of a thousand people from Warner Bros. In a new documentary, The Wizard of OZ: IMAX Behind The Frame, many of those responsible for bringing OZ to 3D discuss this long and careful process. “The original film elements had to be scanned so that they were sharp,” says Janet Wilson, Digital Colorist at Warner Bros. “ and then all the dirt and scratches and to be cleaned off, all the imperfections that had built up over the years from the handling of these elements had to be taken out digitally.”

 Then a lot of layering had to be done to the film to create the 3D effect. Chris Del Conte from Prime Focus discusses later in the documentary, “ A lot of layering was done from when it was shot in 1939. We had to isolate a lot of different objects, and in 3D when we layer them, make sure that things that were closest to the camera have a lot more volume and as they fell away they were a lot less. That way to the eye it seemed natural, as if you were standing on the set. Being on such a large screen and being in 3D is literally going to put you into OZ.”  

The Wizard of OZ was filmed by MGM in 1939 and directed by Victor Fleming. Based on the book by L. Frank Baum, the story continues to touch the lives of many people. In the new issue of Life magazine, dedicated completely to the OZ anniversary and on stands now, there is a quote from film critic, Roger Ebert on why we continue to watch The Wizard of OZ. “It’s underlying story penetrates straight to the deepest insecurities of childhood, stirs them and then reassures them.” 

Although the Imax showing of OZ lasted for one week only, on October 1^st Warner released a new 3D version in stores along with a new standard Blu ray and DVD.

For anyone interested in reading more about OZ, a new book titled: The Wonderful World of OZ by author John Fricke will be released on November 7^th.  This new book will not only detail the making of the MGM film but will also chronicle the history of OZ from it’s original 1900 publication to the Broadway success of the musical Wicked. John Fricke is a two time Emmy Award winning producer and historian on the subject of OZ and the career of Judy Garland.

This article has been written in memory of Margaret Pellegrini, who played the Munchkin with a flowerpot on her head in the movie and often attended Wizard of OZ festivals. She passed away at age 89 on August 7^th.

Jared Kenwood is a longtime member of The Judy Garland Experience Yahoo group and our Facebook outlets, this is his second article for TJGE blog. His first was an exclusive interview with Judy Garland's daughter, Lorna Luft!

A LITTLE SONG, A LITTLE DANCE, A LITTLE SELTZER DOWN YOUR PANTS!

THE EXCITEMENT CONTINUES-WIZARD OF OZ RUN EXTENDED VIA NON IMAX THEATERS

According to Oz's, Hollywood's, and Judydom's Man Of The Year, John Fricke (if you haven't heard any of what he has done, written, or said as Warner Brothers expert/spokesman for the new re-release of The Wizard Of Oz, then you must be, well,  non existent), 

 "After a successful  3D/IMAX run, THE WIZARD OF OZ 3D will be widening its reach to an additional 237 locations in regular/non-IMAX 3D starting tomorrow, Friday, October 4th.

There are also 5 locations that will continue playing in 3D-IMAX.  See list below for a theater near you."

This listed was generated by Warner Brothers, who shared it with Mr. Fricke -Ed

New non-IMAX 3-D Theater Locations as of 10/4

Circuit	CORRESPONDING LOC	CITY
AMC	HOFFMAN 22	ALEXANDRIA
AMC	AMC Downtown Disney 12	Anaheim,CA
AMC	AMC ALTAMONTE MALL 18	ALTAMONTE SPRINGS
AMC	SANTA ANITA 16	ARCADIA
AMC	AMC PARKS 18	ARLINGTON
AMC	STAR GREAT LAKES CROSSING 25	AUBURN HILLS
AMC	ARAPAHOE CROSSING 16	AURORA
AMC	AMC BARTON CREEK MALL 14	AUSTIN
AMC	AMC AVENTURA 24	AVENTURA
AMC	WHITE MARSH 16	BALTIMORE
AMC	NESHAMINY 24 CINEMAS	BENSALEM
AMC	BOSTON COMMON 19	BOSTON
AMC	AMC REGENCY SQ 20	BRANDON
AMC	BURBANK 16	BURBANK
AMC	CENTURY 15	CENTURY CITY
AMC	Northlake 14	Charlotte,NC
AMC	CHERRY HILL 24 CINEMAS	CHERRY HILL
AMC	PALM PROMENADE 14	CHULA VISTA
AMC	AMC PUENTE  20	CITY OF INDUSTRY
AMC	CLIFTON COMMONS 16	CLIFTON
AMC	COLUMBIA 14	COLUMBIA
AMC	LENNOX TOWN CTR 24	COLUMBUS
AMC	EASTON 30	COLUMBUS
AMC	CONCORD 24	CONCORD
AMC	COUNCIL BLUFFS 17	COUNCIL BLUFFS
AMC	COUNTRY CLUB HILLS 16	COUNTRY CLUB HILLS
AMC	AMC COVINA 17	COVINA
AMC	AMC CUPERTINO 16	CUPERTINO
AMC	AMC NORTH PARK 15	DALLAS
AMC	DANBURY 16	DANBURY
AMC	LIBERTY TREE  MALL 20	DANVERS
AMC	Star Fairlane 21	Dearborn,MI
AMC	AMC 18	EDEN PRAIRIE
AMC	SOUTHDALE 16	EDINA
AMC	EDWARDSVILLE 12	EDWARDSVILLE
AMC	JERSEY GARDENS 20	ELIZABETH
AMC	BAY STREET 16	EMERYVILLE
AMC	FITCHBURG 18	FITCHBURG
AMC	AMC STONEBRIAR 24	FRISCO
AMC	RIO 18	GAITHERSBURG
AMC	AMC FIREWHEEL 18	GARLAND
AMC	WESTGATE 20	GLENDALE
AMC	AMC GLENDORA 12	GLENDORA
AMC	HAMILTON 24 CINEMAS	HAMILTON
AMC	HAMPTON 24 TOWNE CENTRE	HAMPTON
AMC	AMC HIGHLAND VILLAGE 12	HIGHLAND VILLAGE
AMC	HIGHLANDS  RANCH 24	HIGHLANDS RANCH
AMC	QUARRY THEATER 14	HODGKINS
AMC	AMC GULF POINT 30	HOUSTON
AMC	INDEPENDENCE COMMONS 20	INDEPENDENCE
AMC	INDIANAPOLIS 17	INDIANAPOLIS
AMC	TRADERS POINT 12	INDIANAPOLIS
AMC	AMC REGENCY SQ 24	JACKSONVILLE
AMC	AMC BARRETT COMMONS 14	KENNESAW
AMC	KENT STATION 14 THEATRES	KENT
AMC	TOWN CENTER 20	LEAWOOD
AMC	LIVONIA 20	LIVONIA
AMC	YORKTOWN 18	LOMBARD
AMC	ALDERWOOD 16	LYNNWOOD
AMC	ARBOR 16	MAPLE GROVE
AMC	AMC MESQUITE 30	MESQUITE
AMC	METHUEN 20 AT THE LOOP	METHUEN
AMC	NAPERVILLE 16	NAPERVILLE
AMC	AMC PLAZA BONITA 14	NATIONAL CITY
AMC	NEW BRUNSWICK 18	NEW BRUNSWICK
AMC	NEW LENOX 14	NEW LENOX
AMC	EMPIRE 25	NEW YORK
AMC	NEWPORT ON THE LEVEE 20	NEWPORT
AMC	Niles 12	Niles,IL
AMC	AMC NORWALK  20	NORWALK
AMC	QUAIL SPRINGS 24	OKLAHOMA CITY
AMC	AMC STUDIO 30	OLATHE
AMC	AMC WOODLAND SQ 20	OLDSMAR
AMC	AMC BLOCK 30	ORANGE
AMC	AMC ORANGE PARK 24	ORANGE PARK
AMC	AMC UNIVERSAL CINEPLEX 20	ORLANDO
AMC	OWINGS MILLS 17	OWINGS MILLS
AMC	GARDEN STATE 16	PARAMUS
AMC	FRANKLIN MILLS 14 CINEMA	PHILADELPHIA
AMC	DEER VALLEY 17	PHOENIX
AMC	AMC DESERT RIDGE 18	PHOENIX
AMC	PLAINVILLE CINEMA 20	PLAINVILLE
AMC	PORT CHESTER 14	PORT CHESTER
AMC	AMC TYLER 16	RIVERSIDE
AMC	ROCKAWAY 16 THEATRE	ROCKAWAY
AMC	ROCKFORD 16	ROCKFORD
AMC	ROSEDALE 14	ROSEVILLE
AMC	AMC SUNSET 24	S MIAMI
AMC	MISSION VALLEY  20	SAN DIEGO
AMC	Van Ness 14	San Francisco,CA
AMC	SARATOGA 14	SAN JOSE
AMC	AMC EASTRIDGE MALL 15	SAN JOSE
AMC	MERCADO 20	SANTA CLARA
AMC	AMC SARASOTA 12	SARASOTA
AMC	STREETS OF WOODFIELD 20	SCHAUMBURG
AMC	SCHERERVILLE 16	SCHERERVILLE
AMC	VILLAGE CROSSING 18