Posted by “I think she’s the greatest talent, male or female, in town.” – Bing Crosby, 1954
September 19, 1930: The second night (that we know of) of “The Gumm Sisters” engagement as part of the Big Brother Ken Show at the Pantages Theater, Los Angeles, California. The sisters first appeared in the show on September 13th and might have been a part of the show each night although that is unclear.
September 19, 1934: This notice in the “Detroit Free Press” provided information about the big business the theaters in Detroit did in the week ending September 13. During that week, Judy and her sisters, going by their new “Garland” stage name, as “Three Garland Sisters,” contributed to that success. They performed at the Michigan Theatre all that week as part of the stage acts accompanying the showing of MGM’s latest film titled Hideout.
September 19, 1936: Here is the first known mention of a Judy Garland film in the trade magazine “Motion Picture Herald.” Well, it’s actually not a “Judy Garland Film” but rather the short subject La Fiesta De Santa Barbara which was Judy’s first film released by MGM, made in late July 1935, two months before her audition with MGM. The film was made by Lewis Lewyn and released by MGM. It’s notable as the only film footage of Judy and her sisters in color as well as how they appeared during those golden years for the trio in 1934 and 1935.
In the magazine’s “What The Picture Did For Me” section, which featured feedback from theater owners/managers, the following feedback was given about the short:
This was a beautiful colored picture, good music, song and dancing.
– L.C. Denton, Rex Theatre, Caliente, Neb (Nebraska)
Another MGM Musical Revue in color that is the tops in entertainment. Pageantry, music, dancing, comedy; it has everything. More real entertainment in this one than in a lot of features.
– Gladys E. McArdle, Owl Thetre, Lebanon, Kan (Kansas)
September 19, 1939: This ad appeared for Bob Hope’s new radio show, “The Pepsodent Show Starring Bob Hope” on NBC Radio. Judy was Hope’s new weekly regular. This ad is puzzling, because Hope’s show, with Judy singing “Over The Rainbow,” didn’t premiere until a week later on September 26 which is well-publicized. This ad might have been a misprint or perhaps it was a separate show that nothing is known about.
September 19, 1939: The “Oz Caravan” was still making its way around Indiana. It was part of a parade in Rushville, Indiana (just outside of Indianapolis at the time), and then another parade on this day (September 19) in Indianapolis, sponsored by the Independent Theater Owners of Indianapolis.
More details and images of all of Judy’s activities during that golden year of 1939 can be found on The Judy Room’s Garland Centennial 1939 Page.
September 19, 1939: The “Motion Picture Daily” gave Babes in Arms a positive review.
More details and images of all of Judy’s activities during that golden year of 1939 can be found on The Judy Room’s Garland Centennial 1939 Page.
Check out The Judy Room’s Filmography Page on Babes in Arms here.
September 19, 1940: Little Nellie Kelly finished filming, but would require retakes on September 27. On this last day, Judy had a 9 a.m. call; dismissed: 8:25 p.m.; scenes were shot on the “Exterior Hansom Cab,” “Exterior Cliff Top,” and “Interior Kelly Flat” set.
This document was signed by Judy and the cast and crew of the film on this date.
Check out The Judy Room’s Filmography Pages on Little Nellie Kelly here.
September 19, 1941: Rehearsals began on the “Finale” sequence on Babes on Broadway prior to the recording sessions. Time called: 3 p.m.; time dismissed: 5 p.m.
Check out The Judy Room’s Filmography Page on Babes on Broadway here.
September 19, 1943: The Philadelphia department store, “Snelleburg’s” ran this ad in the Philadelphia Enquirer, promoting an exhibition of “Life Masks.” Judy’s mask was part of the group on display.
“Life Masks” were used in Hollywood for make-up purposes. It’s unknown what happened to Judy’s life mask. It probably survived at least through the 1960s and up to (maybe after?) the 1970 MGM auction. An MGM short subject about make-up, made in the early 1960s, featured some masks of various stars, but not Judy. Perhaps some collector somewhere has it?
September 19, 1943: The Hollywood Caravan was on its way from St. Louis, Missouri, to New Orleans, Louisiana. Judy’s latest hit, Presenting Lily Mars, was playing in theaters. Imagine going to see Judy on the big screen first run, then in person as a bond drive!
September 19, 1944: Filming continued on The Clock, with scenes shot on the “Interior Penn Station Lobby” and “Interior Penn Station Gates” sets, specifically the scene where Judy and costar Robert Walker meet for the first time; when Judy trips over him and the heel of her shoe breaks off. Time called: 1 p.m.; dismissed: 5:50 p.m.
Check out The Judy Room’s Filmography Pages on The Clock here.
September 19, 1954: The upcoming release of A Star Is Born was getting some great advance buzz.
Check out The Judy Room’s Spotlight on A Star Is Born here.
September 19, 1955: Judy’s upcoming TV debut on the Ford Star Jubilee Show was giving her the jitters, and with good reason. The new medium was foreign to her and the show was broadcast live.
Check out The Judy Room’s “Judy Garland – The Concert Years” here.
Also on this date, Judy relayed her fashion advice to columnist Lydia Lane, along with a plug for the upcoming Ford Star Jubilee show.
September 19, 1956: In the Curio Department, here’s an article about a British hotelier, Dick Nowell, who was assigned to the Bannock Hotel in Pocatello, Idaho, and knew of Pocatello from Judy’s “Born In A Trunk” number in A Star Is Born. Nowell was surprised that the town was much larger than he imagined.
Check out The Judy Room’s Spotlight on A Star Is Born here.
September 19, 1956: Here is installment number four of five in the recent series of articles about Judy by columnist Joe Hyams.
Check out The Judy Room’s “Judy Garland – The Concert Years” here.
September 19, 1959: Judy attended the big luncheon event that 20th Century Fox held for Russian leader Nikita Khrushchev. Quite a lot of stars attended, including Marilyn Monroe and George Cukor (seen in the second photo). Monroe was, of course, the most photographed star at the event.
September 19, 1962: “The Judy Garland Show”, also known as “Judy, Frank, and Dean” was rebroadcast. This is not to be confused with Judy’s 1963/64 series also titled “The Judy Garland Show.” This show was taped on January 5, 8, & 9, at the NBC studios in Hollywood and originally broadcast on February 5, 1962.
Check out The Judy Room’s “Judy Garland – The Concert Years” here.
September 19, 2013: Life Magazine published this commemorative issue celebrating the 75th (in 2014) anniversary of The Wizard of Oz.
Check out The Judy Room’s Spotlight on The Wizard of Oz here.