THE INTERNATIONAL JUDY GARLAND CLUB

Just wanted to take a moment to talk about The International Judy Garland Club.
If you are not a member I strongly suggest you consider joining, and if you already are a member, it is time to renew your membership.

The club was started in London in 1963 and is still going strong today. Judy herself approved of the club and endorsed it, as her daughter Lorna recently did.

Gary Horrocks and Justin Sturge represented the club recently at a meeting with Lorna Luft and her best friend, Barry Manilow. Lorna says that she is one hundred percent behind the club and it’s magazine, JUDY GARLAND, A Celebration, and Manilow concurred, even adding that he felt that the club was doing great work preserving Judy’s legacy and he even mentioned that he found the club’s publications professional and beautifully designed.
Having gotten similar nods from these two for The Judy Garland Experience I know how thrilled Gary and Justin must be.

The club’s annual Spring meeting will take place in London in June and will feature the world premiere of it’s very first documentary, JUDY AT THE DOMINION 1957, featuring rare photos, interviews, and music.

The next two issues of the club magazine are eagerly awaiting publication. The first one out will be a special on “Young Judy” and the one following it will be a haunting and in depth look at Judy in Australia, and I hear there is even a spectacular JUDY AT THE PALACE issue waiting in the wings.

Gary Horrocks, President of the club, and editor of JUDY GARLAND, A Celebration, made a name for himself with the legendary RAINBOW REVIEW magazine. This new publication is not only just as good, it’s better.

But don’t take my word for it, here is what multiple Emmy award winning producer, and the world's foremost Garland authority, John Fricke, had to say about the premiere issue of JUDY GARLAND, A Celebration:

“Their comeback issue is a handsomely produced and designed treasure. As the initial text alternates between press and fan quotes, the reader is offered proof positive that popular affection held for Judy is a long time, long term matter…and not subject to the uninformed material put forth by others, both during and after her passing. The monumental number of and/or unfamiliar photographs make for a quick but comprehensive walk through dozens of the personal and prefessional highlights of the Garland timeline. And the quiet entusiasms that permeate every page make gentle but definite strides toward that plateau of respect and compassion that so many of us feel is her due--just in sheer gratitude for all she gave and continues to give.”

By being a member of the club you not only get the various club publications, but you become part of something special, something very special. Just a few weeks ago I attended (along with Gary) the Judy In New York festival, and yes, there were tons of special events, screenings, listening parties, tours, lovely dinners and receptions, but what I took away from it all was how diverse, yet how universally kind and smart and funny Judy’s fans are. One big way of becoming a member of that family is by joining the club.

Here are some details on how to do just that:

The easiest, quickest and preferred way to join is via PayPal. Payments using PayPal can be accepted in GBP, Euro, USD and AUD and should be made to the e-mail address: judygarlandclub@googlemail.com

When making your payment, it is important that you state in the notes section your name, postal address, email and telephone number. If you are paying for additional memberships for friends, please remember to provide us with their full details.

If you do not want to pay using PayPal, please email us and we can advise on how and where to send cheques or postal orders or how to initiate bank transfers. We have representatives in the US and Australia as well as the UK for your convenience.

2011 annual subscription includes membership card, two issues of Judy Garland: a Celebration (postage & packing inc) and news bulletins about Judy releases and Club events.

2011 rates:
UK £21; Europe €28 or £24; US/Canada $42 or £28; Australia 44 AUD or £28; Other $44

On This Day In Herstory (May 9, 1939)

Per David Price, "May 9, 1939 ... a publicity photo taken on the lot at M-G-M with Mickey Rooney. Pre-production on BABES IN ARMS had just commenced but this appears to just be a casual shot."

JUDY IN NEW YORK 2011 Day One

2011's Judy In New York festival kicked off at the Steinway Recital Hall. The attendees were greeted and briefed by Chairperson Jan Glazier and her Co-Chairs Albert Poland and Steve Sanders. I wasn't able to attend the opening ceremonies but it was reported back to me that it was a charming start to JINY.


After the introductory remarks the crowd was treated to a recital and Garland song sing-a-long by Steinway artist, Richard Glazier.

Then it was time for lunch, to be followed by a historic event.

After lunch several of the group went on a private tour of Carnegie Hall.

Now mind you this special tour happened on the 50th anniversary of Judy Garland's historic triumph at the venue. People were so mesmerized by the Carnegie Hall archivist that they stayed over time just to soak up more knowledge.

Then it was on to Sardi's for a meet and greet party and special sit down dinner.


My partner in crime for the festival was The Judy Garland Experience's design consultant, Robin D'Amato,and this party was our first event at the festival.


I was thrilled to see my friend, legendary Broadway figure, Albert Poland, there.
In fact, Albert was responsible for the Sardi's event, and it went off without a hitch. The staff treated everyone like royalty and there was plenty of food and drink for all.





This was a particularly special event for me because I got to meet so many great people from all over, and was thrilled to find out that many of them are members of the Yahoo version of The Judy Garland Experience.

Albert Poland arranged for Phil McKinley to stop by and give a casual talk and he generously answered questions as well. He couldn't stay and have dinner with us because he was needed back at Spider-Man where he had just taken over directing chores.
But his stories were fascinating and we finally got to find out the real reason why Liza Minnelli couldn't bring herself to see The Boy From Oz.



After the Sardi's party some of the group went over to see the highly acclaimed Liza And Judy show at Don't Tell Mama, starring TJGE members Rick Skye and Tommy Femia.



Stay tuned for day two coming later in the week. The second day of Judy In New York included a luxury bus trip to Judy's final resting place, special presentations of never seen or heard before Judy Garland material at the Producers Club, panel discussions, and more.

Photographs provided by Justin Sturge, Hanna Brown, Cris Bonneville, Joan Beck Coulson, Frank Labrador, Jan Glazier, and others.

On This Day In Herstory (May 8, 1949)

Per David Price, "May 8, 1949 ... at M-G-M on the set of ANNIE GET YOUR GUN, working on the "Doin' What Comes Naturally" number. One of two surviving musical numbers Judy filmed before being released from the film, this song gives us a glimpse of what Judy's version of Annie Oakley would have been like ... as compared to the mostly manic performance Betty Hutton would provide in the finished film. It remains to this day one of the biggest "if only ..." moments in Garland's M-G-M days."

Another Sneak Peak At JINY

A Sneak Peek At Our Judy In New York Coverage

We will have a full story, and tons of photographs, on this year's Judy In New York Festival tomorrow.
In the meantime here is a sneak peek with this photo of some of the players in the event.

BACK TO CHICAGO

Per David Price, "May 7, 1965 ... in concert at the Arie Crown Theater in Chicago.

Photo credit: Nancy Barr-Brandon
This is possibly the most beautifully composed photograph of Judy that Nancy ever took [to this viewer's eye]."

More Of Judy At The Civic Opera House

There she goes....


Jady Garland in concert at Chicago's Civic opera House on May 6, 1961.


These photos were supplied by Mike, a member of Yahoo's The Judy Garland Experience.
He can be seen in the photo above attending the concert with members of the original Judy Garland Fan Club.

On This Day In Herstory (May 6, 1961)

May 6, 1961 ... another stop on the post-Carnegie Hall tour, this time in the Windy City at the Civic Opera House.

Through Monica Lewis' Eyes

Monica Lewis, who worked with Judy Garland on radio in the 1950's, has co-authored a memoir with Dean Lamanna.

Hollywood Through My Eyes: The Lives And Loves of A Golden Age Siren tells the story of a little girl from Chicago who found her way to New York City, jobs with Benny Goodman and Frank Sinatra, and careers in night clubs and broadcasting before winding her way to Hollywood, where she recorded hit records, had featured roles in 1970's action and disaster movies, and a marriage to a powerful producer.

Among the people found in the tapestry of Ms Lewis' life are Ronald Reagan, Judy Garland, Clint Eastwood, The Beatles, Barbra Streisand, Stephen Spielberg, Milton Berle, Ava Gardner, and others.


From Monica Lewis's web site:
　
For almost two decades, Monica Lewis was the idealized, wholesomely sexy sound and image of apple-pie America, lending a melodious voice of hope to thousands of U.S. troops through two of the 20th century's greatest wars. She starred on the very first "Ed Sullivan Show," had numerous hit records including "Put The Blame on a Mame," "A Tree in the Meadow," "A Kiss to Build a Dream On," "Autumn Leaves" and "I Wish You Love," and provided the memorable singing voice for the popular cartoon character "Miss Chiquita Banana."

Signed by MGM in 1950, she appeared in such films as "Everything I Have is Yours" with Marge and Gower Champion, "Excuse My Dust" with Red Skelton and "The Strip" with Mickey Rooney, and had a strong dramatic role in RKO's "Affair With a Stranger."

Along a route that took her to famed music venues, on-air programs and movie studios from New York to Los Angeles and back, she paused for (and sometimes steered clear of) romantic entanglements with Ronald Reagan (who proposed marriage), Frank Sinatra, Ed Sullivan, Herman Wouk, Sidney Sheldon, Kirk Douglas, Richard Rodgers and Milton Berle.

She married colorful and innovative MCA/Universal Studios production executive Jennings Lang in 1956 and had featured roles in several of her husband's blockbuster movies, including "Rollercoaster," "Airport '77," "The Concorde--Airport '79" and the Top 100 all-time box-office hit, "Earthquake." She also returned to cabaret and recorded several critically-acclaimed CD's in the 1980's and 90's.

monicalewis.com

The book was released today and is available everywhere.
For more detailed information please visit Hollywood Through My Eyes' page at amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/Hollywood-Through-My-Eyes-Golden/dp/1934980889

On This Day In Herstory (May 5, 1965)

Per David Price, "May 5, 1965 ... in Chicago at the Astor Tower for a press conference with her companion, Mark Herron. Judy was doing publicity for her upcoming concert at the Arie Crown Theater."

New Judy Garland CD Due Out This Summer

This will be a 2CD digipack set containing all of Garland's London studio recordings (1957-1964) in re-mastered 96kHz high definition sound. CD1 will have Lovely to be back in London from 1957 plus the August 1960 sessions. CD2 will have the Maggie May and I Could Go On Singing tracks while the remainder of the second disc (tracks 9-24) will be alternate takes and a little studio chat from all three major sessions, none of which have been released before.

First Hand have an announcement on their webpage at

http://www.firsthandrecords.com/coming%20soon.htm

JUDY AND MICKEY WERE BIGGER THAN MAE WEST

Tom And Jerry Go To Oz

Warner Home Video has announced the Blu-ray release of Tom and Jerry & The Wizard of Oz for August 23rd. The original Warner Bros. animated movie sends classic Hanna-Barbera characters Tom and Jerry to L. Frank Baum's wonderful world of Oz with Dorothy, her dog ...

On This Day In Herstory (May 4, 1946)

Per David Price, "May 4, 1946 ... on the cover of PICTURE SHOW magazine in Great Britain ... pictured with co-star John Hodiak in a profile publicity portrait from THE HARVEY GIRLS. At the time Judy was on maternity leave from M-G-M, having given birth to Liza not quite two months before."

I Could Go On Singing (original trailer)

On This Day In Herstory (May 3, 1947)

Per David Price, "May 3, 1947 ... during an afternoon break on the set of THE PIRATE at M-G-M ... celebrating Walter Slezak's birthday with cake and ice cream for the cast and crew."

USO JUDY

World War Two Uso Card designed to remind the boys what they were fighting for.

On This Day In Herstory (May 2, 1961)

Per David Price, "May 2, 1961 ... in concert at The Mosque Theatre in Newark, NJ ... the second concert after her astounding success at Carnegie Hall ... just the beginning of a tour that was to continue through December 9th, with sell-out crowds and wonderful reviews."

NEW FILES POSTED TO THE YAHOO GROUP

A JUDY MOMENT
From the PEPE soundtrack, 1960.

Bing And Rosie #67
And yet another entry in our no end in sight continuing series of air checks from Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney's daily radio show for CBS. This episode was originally broadcast on May 31, 1960.

CHASE AND SANBORN SHOW
Starring Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy, with special guest star Judy Garland, and featuring Abbot And Costello, with Ray Noble and his orchestra. Originally broadcast on June 21, 1942.

DUET OF THE WEEK
Despite the relaxed and extra loose atmosphere on the Jilly's set, Tony Bennett finds a moment. Smack dab in the middle of two sloppy duets with Jack Jones he sings a stunning version of Last Night When We Were Young. Chilling, in fact, and then you start to recognize all of the borrowed phrasing...but still, a beautiful performance.

ENCORE
This is an encore of Judy's song from this week's A Judy Moment. Eh, look who Judy finds lurking about in the far away part of town.

JUDY GARLAND IN CONCERT
Judy Garland live at JFK Stadium in Philadelphia, July 20, 1968. Accompanied by the Gene Palumbo Orchestra, which is augmented by members of The Count Basie Orchestra, including the Count himself!

LADY ESTHER BLODGETT THEATER
Lady Esher presents STATE FAIR starring Verna Felton and Ann Blythe. Originally broadcast on September 10, 1953.

REQUESTS AND RARITIES
everything but the kitchen sink

SUNDAY MORNING SPECIAL
Highlights from the 1993 Society Of Singers salute to Peggy Lee. Featuring Ruth Brown, Jack Jones, The Manhattan Transfer, Natalie Cole, Joe Williams, Rosemary Clooney, K.D. Lang, Cleo Laine, and Miss Peggy Lee.

WHERE JUDY PLAYED
Another new Anita at the Newport Jazz Festival recording for us. This one was recorded on July 8, 1969, less than a month after Anita found herself rooming with Judy Garland, as well as jamming with her onstage and off. Anita seems to not mind singing in the rain and definitely finds something new to say with an impromtu Here's That Rainy Day.

A Few More Images Collected By Stefano

Autographed snapshot

Sleeve for 1967 45 RPM Single

Carnegie Hall, 1961

On This Day In Herstory (May 1, 1942)

May 1, 1942 ... on the set of FOR ME AND MY GAL at M-G-M, filming with co-star Gene Kelly.

Judy Garland Meets Gilbert Becaud, 1960

A Little Something Extra For The Boys

Judy Garland is surrounded by smiles while working a shift at the Hollywood Canteen.

It's A Toddlin' Town

Judy Garland and her son, Joseph Luft, appear at a press conference to promote their upcoming concerts in Chicago (September, 1967)