Posted by “Miss Garland clearly establishes that she is the number one songstress of Hollywood” – Uncredited review of “Babes on Broadway” in the “Film Daily” trade magazine, 1941
December 3, 1937: Although she wasn’t a big star yet, Judy still had two films in circulation including the very high-profile Broadway Melody of 1938. Both films were firsts for her. Broadway Melody was her first feature film for MGM and Thoroughbreds Don’t Cry was her first with Mickey Rooney.
December 3, 1940: Here’s another positive review of Judy’s performance in Little Nellie Kelly. This time, Judy is referred to as “the young singing sweetheart of the screen [who] becomes the ‘woman girl’ of romantic drama.’
Check out The Judy Room’s Filmography Pages on Little Nellie Kelly here.
December 3, 1940: Judy was named “Miss Corktown of 1941” (Detroit, Michigan) by the Old Corktown Club of Detroit in honor of her performance in the title role of “Little Nellie Kelly.” A telegram was sent to Judy, probably via MGM Studios.
Also on this date, this glowing notice about Judy’s weekly appearances on Bob Hope’s radio show:
Hardly enough can be said for the cute, vivacious manner and appearance of Judy Garland, one of the screen and radio’s most sensational finds, and certainly not enough can be said of her voice … a voice that ripples in rhythm and is sweeter than the honey from the honey bee. You’ll think so too if you listen to her on Bob Hope’s program every Tuesday night at 9 o’clock over KTBS.
Check out The Judy Room’s Filmography Pages on Little Nellie Kelly here.
December 3, 1940: Although at this time most of the critics and columnists were referring to Judy as “lovely” this article about child stars out of Sydney, Australia, blatantly refers to Judy as “homely.” Two decades later Judy again wouldn’t fare well with the Australian press after a disastrous concert tour.
Here’s what they said in 1940:
JUDY GARLAND is an example of adroit handling. Judy is as plain as the girl next door, but because her studio writes her stories so that her roles are always sympathetic, and even suggests that Judy knows she is homely-looking, audiences have accepted her. Of course, her ability to swing a popular song has endeared her to the younger generation, especially the jitterbugs. So long as the studio never tries to glamorise her, Judy will remain popular.
December 3, 1941: Judy, along with her husband David Rose (left) and composer Harold Arlen (right) attended a benefit of U.S. medical aid to Russia at the Los Angeles Shrine Auditorium. The stars of the show were John Barbirolli, Jascha Heifetz, and Vladimir Horowitz.
December 3, 1941: This review of Babes on Broadway was published in the “Film Daily” trade magazine.
A TINGLING, REFRESHING MUSICAL BRIMMING OVER WITH ENTERTAINMENT; WILL BE A BOX-OFFICE SMASH OF THE SEASON.
What Broadway means to thousands of stage-struck youngsters with their hopes and aspirations has been crystallized into one of the most refreshing and enjoyable musicals to ever grace the screen. The zip and energy conveyed by the youthful principals run through the film like a spring breeze down a valley slope. It has everything and exhibs. [exhibitors] can prepare for holdovers and top grosses.
Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland are the stars and they are swell. There are no limits to the amazing versatility displayed by Rooney who runs through an album of characterizations that leaves one gasping with admiration. As for Miss Garland, she clearly establishes that she is the number one songstress of Hollywood.
This is Busby Berkley’s finest directorial effort. He and Producer Arthur Freed can share the credit for keying the production at the pitch where it reflects the enthusiasm and ability of the cast. Film includes a galaxy of hit songs and a wide selection of old favorites. The script by Fred Finklehoffe and Elaine Ryan is far above average.
Film is studded with highlights. Easily the best is the cleverly conceived scene where Rooney and Miss Garland walk into the old empty theater. They stand on the old dust covered stage as Rooney talks about the former hits and flops. Then the camera flashes to an old Richard Mansfield poster in “Cyrano de Bergerac.” And the surprising Rooney is doing a bit from “Cyrano” in costume with dramatic effectiveness. Miss Garland takes the stage as FAy Templeton singing “Marie” from “Forty-Five Minutes from Broadway.” Rooney rounds out his impersonations with one of Sir Harry Lauder singing, “She’s My Daisy,” and George M. Cohan singing “Yankee Doodle Dandy.” Miss Garland delights again as Blanche Ring singing “Rings On My Fingers, Bells On My Toes,” and winds up doing an impersonation of Sarah Bernhardt.
Every production number is nicely spotted in the yarn which is about Rooney and his two friends, Ray McDonald and Richard Quine, known professionally as The Three Balls of Fire. Rooney gets the inspiration to put on a show for the kids from the settlement house so they can get an opportunity to go to the country. At first, he is thinking of his career but Miss Garland helps him realize it is worth making the sacrifice for the kids. They put their show on in the old theater and attract the attention of the producer, played by Jimmy Gleason.
Film opens with The Three Balls of Fire doing a clever song and dance, “Anything Can Happen in New York,” by Burton Lane and E.Y. Harburg. One of the sweeter numbers, a Ralph Freed and Burton Lane composition, “How About You,” is done by Rooney and Miss Garland with Rooney doing an acrobatic dance. Another highlight is an unnamed tot with a hard-boiled face who wanders into the rehearsal room, plays a classical number with kill and leaves.
Continuing the high calibre [sic] of the entertainment is the scene where Miss Garland sings a stirring song by Burton Lane and E.Y. Harburg, “Chin Up-Cheerio-Carry On,” in a tremendously effective manner. There is a sprightly and zippy number “Hoe Down,” by Rogers Eden and Ralph Freed, where Rooney and Miss Garland click again. One of the howling successes is Rooney in a costume doing a take-off on Carmen Miranda called “Bombshell from Brazil.”
The finale is a stunner and a tribute to Berkeley’s directorial efforts. It is a handsome and tuneful minstrel number. If there haven’t been enough bouquets for Miss Garland, catch her singing “Franklin D. Roosevelt Jones,” and then “Waiting for the Robert E. Lee” with Rooney and the ensemble. And no kidding, Rooney even strums a banjo with dexterity.
There are enough laurels to go around especially for Ray McDonald, a likable youngster and a gifted dancer, Virginia Weidler, who is growing up but still a splendid child performer, Ann Rooney, no relation to Mickey, Richard Quine, and Fay Bainter, who is perfect as the assistant to the theatrical producer.
December 3, 1943: More accolades for Girl Crazy.
Check out The Judy Room’s Filmography Pages on Girl Crazy here.
December 3, 1943: Recording session for Meet Me In St. Louis. Judy pre-recorded “Skip To My Lou” and “Meet Me In St. Louis” with Lucille Bremer, Tom Drake, and the MGM Studio Chorus. She also rehearsed “Under the Bamboo Tree” (without Margaret O’Brien who would not be in the recording studio until the 17th when the song was recorded). The rehearsal was not recorded.
Listen to Take 9 of “Skip To My Lou” here:
Listen to Take 2 of “Meet Me In St. Louis” here:
Listen to Take 3 of “Meet Me In St. Louis” here:
Check out The Judy Room’s Spotlight on Meet Me In St. Louis here.
December 3, 1946: In just a few days, the world premiere of Till The Clouds Roll By at New York’s famed Radio City Music Hall.
Check out The Judy Room’s Spotlight on Till The Clouds Roll By here.
December 3, 1946: Judy was one of many stars who part in a party for the Associated Press Managing Editors’ Association at the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles, California. The event happened on November 29. Judy sang “I Got The Sun In The Morning” “as though she meant it.” No recording of this event is known to exist.
Judy had previously performed the song on the “Command Performance #241” radio program that previous September 29. Here is that performance:
December 3, 1947: The first of two days of filming for Judy and co-star Fred Astaire on the “Interior Globe Theater” set for Easter Parade – the now-famous “A Couple Of Swells” number, which is one of the best numbers Judy (and Fred) ever put on film.
Thanks to Kim Lundgreen for providing most of the photos.
Check out The Judy Room’s Spotlight on Easter Parade here.
December 3, 1953: A Star Is Born filming consisted of the scene on the “Interior Television Commerical” set. Time started: 10 a.m.; finished: 5:35 p.m.
Check out The Judy Room’s Extensive Spotlight on A Star Is Born here.
December 3, 1954: The soundtrack album to A Star Is Born made a perfect holiday gift.
Check out The Judy Garland Online Discography’s A Star Is Born pages for details about the various releases of this classic soundtrack.
December 3, 1960: Here’s an amusing true story from columnist Mike Connolly:
JUDY GARLAND got a fan letter from a lady in Ohio: “My dear husband just died. I hope you don’t mind, dear Judy, but I played his favorite Garland recording at his funeral – ‘The Man That Got Away.'” I’m not being morbid and I’m not making it up. Judy really got the letter.
If Judy really did get this letter, she must have howled with laughter!
December 3, 1960: Fans in the Chicago, Illinois, area were treated to a special TV showing of For Me And My Gal.
Check out The Judy Room’s Filmography Pages on For Me And My Gal here.
December 3, 1961: Judy performed at the O’Keefe Center, Toronto, Canada. The 3,211-seat hall was standing room only. She gained raves for her performance. Judy returned to the O’Keefe on December 5th, which was also standing room only.
The second photo shown here is a press photo which is why there are some hand-rendered effects on the pic, created for publishing in the paper. Those were the pre-Photoshop years!
Check out The Judy Room’s “Judy Garland – The Concert Years” here.
December 3, 1962: Judy did promotion appearances for Gay Purr-ee at various New York area theaters. A radio interview survives, displaying Judy’s humor while touring Queens, New York by bus on one of these days, the hysteria and her loyal following are also documented.
Thanks to the kindness of Kim Lundgreen, here is that interview:
Check out The Judy Room’s Filmography Page on Gay Purr-ee here.
December 3, 1968: Judy was allowed out of the hospital (Peter Bent Brigham) for dinner. John Meyer picked her up at 7 p.m. and they dined at Anthony’s Pier Four.
Photo: Judy at Pier Four (in Boston, Massachusetts) on September 5, 1968.
Check out The Judy Room’s “Judy Garland – The Concert Years” here.
December 3, 2011: The second of the two auctions of items from the amazing collection of the late Debbie Reynolds took place. Among the Garland items up for auction was the amazing wedding dress designed by Tom Keogh that Judy wore in The Pirate, and one of Judy’s costumes from Presenting Lily Mars.
Check out The Judy Room’s 2011 Year in Review (PDF) for details about both auctions, as well as a few others.
Check out The Judy Room’s Filmography Pages on The Pirate here.
Check out The Judy Room’s Extensive Spotlight Section on Presenting Lily Mars here.
Just saw an ad for a new Neil Young album, “Songs for Judy.” The track listing doesn’t reveal any connection between our girl and the songs, but that’s her face on the cover. Anyone know anything about this? Perhaps he’s just a fan and wanted to pay tribute?
I saw a post on Facebook about it a little while back, but I don’t know anything about the release or his connection. Maybe he’s a fan and wanted to pay tribute to her in his own way?
Found this on a Neil Young news site-
“So why the title “Songs for Judy”? Well, Neil refers to actress and singer Judy Garland, while at the Austin, TX concert before the song “Too Far Gone”. So was Judy “Too Far Gone” in 1976???”
http://neilyoungnews.thrasherswheat.org/2018/10/next-neil-young-album-songs-for-judy.html
Interesting. Well, she was “real gone” by then! 🙂
Thanks for the follow-up, folks! Interesting indeed how she always stays relevant!