Posted by “The four sides here are further proof that Judy can do with an audience what she will. It’s a moving and thrilling experience.” – Al Rockwell, review of the “Judy at Carnegie Hall” LP, 1961
September 3, 1934: The last of a three-night engagement at the Uptown Theater in Chicago for the newly christened “Garland Sisters.” This was their first engagement in which they were advertised as “The Garland Sisters” after George Jessel renamed them (they were previously the “Gumm” Sisters) during their August 17-23 engagement at the Oriental Theater.
The trio was in Chicago, with mom Ethel, on a working tour of the World’s Fair. They worked their way back home to California in mid-September.
September 3, 1939: Judy models the latest in teen fashion. Meanwhile, The Wizard of Oz was still playing and was already being hailed as a cinema masterpiece. MGM had already moved on, though not in a negative way. The studio began to promote the upcoming release of Babes in Arms, which was Judy and Mickey Rooney’s first “let’s put on a show” musical plus the Decca album of songs from The Wizard of Oz was available in stores for the first time.
Check out The Judy Room’s Spotlight on The Wizard of Oz here.
September 3, 1940: The two clippings on the left were published on this day promoting the upcoming release of Strike Up The Band, both focusing on the “Gay Nineties” number.
The photo on the far right was taken on this day or possibly the 4th or 5th. Judy was filming scenes for Little Nellie Kelly on MGM’s Backlot #2, on the “Exterior Brownstone Front” set which was part of the “New York Streets” section. Judy also filmed some footage on the “Interior Kelly Flat” set on a soundstage on Lot #1. Time called: 9 a.m.; dismissed: 5:58 p.m.
Check out The Judy Room’s Spotlight, “Judy Garland on the Backlot,” for details about where Garland films were shot on MGM’s famous backlots.
Check out The Judy Room’s Filmography Pages on Strike Up The Band here.
Check out The Judy Room’s Filmography Pages on Little Nellie Kelly here.
September 3, 1941: More filming on the “Hoe Down” number for Babes on Broadway. Time called: 9 a.m.; lunch: 12:35-1:35 p.m.; time dismissed: 5:35 p.m.
Check out The Judy Room’s Filmography Page on Babes on Broadway here.
September 3, 1943: Judy was featured on the cover of the fan magazine “Screen Romances.”
September 3, 1944: Judy appeared on the “Chase and Sanborn Hour” on NBC Radio, as the guest of Edgar Bergen (Candace Bergen’s father) and “Charlie McCarthy.” The show (as advertised in newspapers the day before) featured the premiere of Edgar’s new ventriloquist character, “Effie Klinkers.” Judy sang “I’m Glad There Is You” and “Swinging On A Star.”
The audio of the show is not known to exist, but we have this photo of Judy with Edgar Bergen and “Effie.”
September 3, 1950: Although it was considered by MGM to be a smaller, “minor” musical, Summer Stock was a big hit with critics and audiences alike who enjoyed the lightheartedness of the film. Much of this was due to the talents of Judy, Gene Kelly, and the brilliant supporting cast that included Phil Silvers, Eddie Bracke, Gloria DeHaven, Hans Conried, Carlton Carpenter, and the marvelous Marjorie Main.
Check out The Judy Room’s Filmography Pages on Summer Stock here.
September 3, 1953: Work on A Star Is Born continued with hair, makeup, and wardrobe tests in “Warner Color” which was the new color film developed by Warner Bros. The tests proved disappointing and it was decided to film the movie in Technicolor.
Check out The Judy Room’s Spotlight on A Star Is Born here.
September 3, 1955: Judy’s final recording session for her first Capitol LP, “Miss Show Business.” She recorded “Danny Boy.”
The album was released on September 25, 1955, just one day after her first TV special for CBS aired.
Listen to “Danny Boy” here:
Check out The Judy Garland Online Discography’s “Miss Show Business” pages here.
September 3, 1961: Here’s another news item about Judy attending the Broadway show “Mary, Mary.” at the Helen Hayes Theatre in New York. The drama starred Barbara Bel Geddes (“Miss Ellie” on the TV show “Dallas”) and Barry Nelson. Judy was photographed backstage after the show with Nelson, Bel Geddes, and Michael Wilding. Judy attended the show on August 14th which is when this photo was taken although its inclusion in the papers on this date makes it seem as though the event just happened.
Included above is another review of “Judy at Carnegie Hall.”
Check out The Judy Garland Online Discography’s pages on “Judy at Carnegie Hall” here.
Also on September 3rd, Judy returned to the Convention Hall Ballroom in Atlantic City, New Jersey for one night only.
Check out The Judy Room’s “Judy Garland – The Concert Years” here.
September 3, 1963: Capitol Records re-released the concept album “The Letter” as “Our Love Letter.”
It was recorded on January 15 & 16, 1959, with John Ireland, the Ralph Brewster Singers, and Gordon Jenkins’ Orchestra and originally released on May 4, 1959.
Check out The Judy Garland Online Discography’s “The Letter” pages here.
Check out The Judy Room’s “Judy Garland – The Concert Years” here.
September 3, 1966: Judy’s guest hostess appearance on “The Hollywood Palace” was re-broadcast. It was taped on October 15, 1965, and premiered on November 13, 1965.
Check out The Judy Room’s “Judy Garland – The Concert Years” here.
Watch Judy’s performances of “West Side Story Medley”, “Judy at the Palace Medley”, “A Couple of Swells” and “I Loved Him” below:
September 3, 1967: Advertisement for Judy’s upcoming concert at Detroit’s Cobo Hall. Below, 8-track tapes were all the rage.
Check out The Judy Room’s “Judy Garland – The Concert Years” here.
September 3, 2015: Here’s an online ad from the Warner Bros. shop celebrating the 76th anniversary of The Wizard of Oz. Featured is the 75th Anniversary Collector’s Edition in the 3D/Blu-ray Disc/DVD/Ultra Violet formats and other collectibles.
Check out The Judy Room’s Spotlight on The Wizard of Oz here.
I always thought Judy’s official departure from MGM was September 29th, 1950, as it shared this date with two of Judy’s triumphs: the premiere of “A Star is Born” (September 29th, 1954) and the premiere of her TV show (September 29th, 1963).
Actually, I need to correct that. That paragraph is actually meant for October 3rd, not September 3rd. Oops!
I believe after her official departure from Metro that fall, she went to New York and that’s when she met Luft. (And it’s like he was some hungry, wild animal awaiting his prey). To this day, I cannot make up my mind whether Luft was the worst thing that happened to Judy, or the best. Without him, there’d be no stage comeback, or “A Star is Born.” Or would there? She would’ve met somebody who would’ve propelled her career onto a new path, and maybe he would’ve known how to take care of her FINANCIALLY. One the highest paid performers, ONE house, and maybe two cars. To quote Leonard Gershe: “WHERE was the money??”
I am almost finished with Sid Luft’s autobiography. As much as we all love Judy the Performer, I am sure he had his hands full with Judy the Human. Despite her huge talent, she was probably not the easiest person to live with on a daily basis. We would not have “A Star Is Born” without him in my opinion. Freddie Fields stole more from her than Sid ever did. Sid booked her at the Metropolitan Opera House!