Posted by “With CBS nagging at her to change her whole legend, Judy Garland and the executives realized, too late, that what she does best and what the people like best is to hear her sing. Her one-woman concerts have been remarkable. I’m glad that CBS finally let her sing, sing, sing. That’s her cup of tea. That’s everybody’s!” – Sam Marano, “a confessed member of the cult [of Judy Garland],” 1964
April 1, 1929: “The Gumm Sisters” (Judy and her two sisters) performed with “The Meglin Kiddies” at the Screen Stars Gambo; Benefit for Loyola University at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California. Also on the bill were a couple of legends who would be a big part of Judy’s career, one way or the other, Sophie Tucker and Al Jolson.
April 1, 1931: The first of a two-day engagement for the entire Gumm family at the Agricultural Conference at Union Hall in Lancaster, California.
April 1, 1933: Frances (Judy) appeared on an unknown radio station out of Beverly Hills, California. No other information is known.
April 1, 1937: Edwin Schaller’s column mentioned a couple of titles planned for Judy to star in: Mary Rose of Mifflin and Blue Blood. Neither project happened.
For more information about projects that Judy’s name was attached to, check out The Judy Room’s “Films That Got Away” pages here.
April 1, 1938: Judy’s second and last full day in her birthplace, Grand Rapids, Minnesota. She and her mother left early on April 2 to catch the Super Chief train from Chicago back to Los Angeles. The train took 38 hours and 45 minutes, which included 14 stops, to return.
This was the first and last time Judy visited her birthplace.
April 1, 1938: This short but glowing review of Everybody Sing was published in “Photoplay” magazine:
Five pictures like this month would mean less Hollywood headaches and more universal joy. It’s speedy and senseless and fun and bright with music, the cast is happily chosen; production is good.
The mad family idea is used, with Billie Burke as mother, Reginald Owen as playwright father, Judy Garland and Lynne Carver as sisters, Fanny Brice – hit of the show – as maid and nice Allan Jones as the chef who loves Lynne. Jones puts on a musical and Judy, egged on by Henry Armetta, runs away to appear in it. Thus you get a number of squabble scenes that are riots and an abundance of song. Apropos of our Editor Ruth Waterbury’s recent comment: herewith a cheap film breathlessly done, and a hit.
Check out The Judy Room’s Filmography Page on Everybody Sing here.
April 1, 1939: Judy is mentioned several times in the latest issue of the “Box Office” magazine.
April 1, 1939: Judy is among the stars featured in this two-page spread published in the “Radio Mirror” fan magazine.
April 1, 1940: Here are two photos of Judy with Mickey Rooney and Bonita Granville from the “Glamour of Hollywood” and “Radio Mirror” fan magazines. The photo of Judy with Mickey was taken at the recent Franco-British Ball at the Coconut Grove.
April 1, 1942: Judy had wardrobe tests and a rehearsal (probably more dancing) for For Me And My Gal. Time called: 10:30 a.m.; dismissed: 4:15 p.m.
Photos provided by Kim Lundgreen. Thanks, Kim!
Check out The Judy Room’s Filmography Pages on For Me And My Gal here.
April 1, 1943: Judy on the cover of “Screenland” magazine.
Photo provided by Kim Lundgreen. Thanks, Kim!
Meanwhile, at MGM, Judy was out sick from the Girl Crazy production with, according to the assistant director’s notes, a “bad throat.”
Check out The Judy Room’s Filmography Pages on Girl Crazy here.
April 1, 1944: Filming continued on Meet Me In St. Louis specifically on the “Exterior St. Louis Fair” set. Time called: 10:00 a.m.; dismissed: 5:30 p.m.
Check out The Judy Room’s Spotlight on Meet Me In St. Louis here.
April 1, 1946: “Movie Songs” magazine featured Judy on the cover and a photo spread about The Harvey Girls.
Check out The Judy Room’s Filmography Pages on The Harvey Girls here.
April 1, 1948: In this ad in the trade magazine “Film Daily,” MGM promoted its new films, including The Pirate and Easter Parade.
Check out The Judy Room’s Filmography Pages on The Pirate here.
Check out The Judy Room’s Spotlight on Easter Parade here.
April 1, 1949: Pre-recording sessions for Annie Get Your Gun continued with Judy and co-star Howard Keel recording “Anything You Can Do” and Judy recording her solo “I’ve Got The Sun In The Morning.” Judy arrived at 1:30 p.m. and was dismissed at 3:05 p.m.
Listen to “Anything You Can Do” here:
Listen to “I Got The Sun In The Morning” here:
Check out The Judy Room’s Filmography Pages on Annie Get Your Gun here.
April 1, 1950: This is the date that the columns claimed Judy was going to embark on a trip to Europe with her husband Vincente Minnelli, and daughter Liza Minnelli. Judy had gone to Boston on March 20th for a rest after the ordeal of filming Summer Stock was over. But instead of Europe, she rented a house in Carmel, California, where she planned to rest for six months.
The photo below is dated for this date, although that hasn’t been verified and no other information about the photo is known.
Check out The Judy Room’s Filmography Pages on Summer Stock here.
April 1, 1952: Judy signed this check for $200 made out to Israel Rappaport.
April 1, 1960: MGM Records, via their association with EMI in England, recently released this compilation of performances from their soundtrack albums in both the U.K. and Australia, titled “Great Moments Of The Movies.” The compilation was part of a new series of MGM soundtracks that feature two albums on one long-playing 12″ record.
Check out The Judy Garland Online Discography’s “Great Moments” page here.
April 1, 1961: The Chicago TV premiere of Easter Parade got this fun ad in the “Chicago Tribune.”
Check out The Judy Room’s Extensive Spotlight on Easter Parade here.
April 1, 1962: Judgment at Nuremberg was nominated for 11 Academy Awards. Judy was nominated for Best Supporting Actress but lost to Rita Moreno’s performance in West Side Story.
April 1, 1964: The cancellation of Judy’s series was still in the entertainment news. Note the fourth article with viewer comments about the show’s cancellation and “Sam Marano,” who identified himself as a “confessed member of The Cult [of Judy Garland].” Some things haven’t changed that much. If Mr. Marano were around today, he’d be quite vocal on social media. This is the earliest mention of “The Garland Cult” that I’ve seen so far.
Check out The Judy Room’s “Judy Garland – The Concert Years” here.
April 1, 1966: ABC-TV videotaped part of “The Hollywood Palace” with Judy as the hostess. Taped on this day were: “What The World Needs Now Is Love” and “Mr. & Mrs. Clown” with her guest Van Johnson. The show, including more performances taped on April 3rd, aired on May 7, 1966. Photo below: Judy with Jack Carter on the show.
Check out The Judy Room’s “Judy Garland – The Concert Years” here.
April 1, 1969: The recent British coverage of Judy’s marriage to her fifth husband Mickey Deans made for an interesting blurb in Eddie Sherman’s column.
Check out The Judy Room’s “Judy Garland – The Concert Years” here.