Posted by Today is the official release date of my new book, Judy Garland—The Voice of MGM, although some folks have already gotten copies from Amazon. There are more details at The Judy Room’s “Voice of MGM” Page.
Enjoy! Feel free to provide feedback here – I’d love to know what everyone thinks!
Purchase links (also in most local bookstores!):
Amazon
https://amzn.to/3H9rUIf
Walmart
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Judy-Garland-The-Voice-of-MGM-Hardcover-9781493086542/8241016182
Barnes & Noble
https://tinyurl.com/3rphx8ja
Hudson Books
https://www.hudsonbooksellers.com/book/9781493086542
Bookshop.org
https://bookshop.org/p/books/judy-garland-the-voice-of-mgm-scott-brogan/21654542?ean=9781493086542
Books-A-Million
https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Judy-Garland/Scott-Brogan/9781493086542?id=9256620401964
Shakespeare & Company (UK)
https://www.shakespeareandcompany.com/books/judy-garland-2
Ordered weeks ago from my local Barnes & Noble… and picking up today. Looks wonderful and am anticipating a good read, information and illustrations.
Hi John, it’s great to hear from you! I hope you’re doing well.
Thank you for ordering the book – I hope you like it. And thank you for your support of The Judy Room and for sharing audio from your amazing collection with us. 🙂
Enjoy!
Congratulations to you on this Very Big Day, Scott! I got the Amazon shipping notice this morning and should have my book today. I won’t be leaving feedback in a hurry- just so you know-because I am going to really drag this out and SAVOR it. It has been too long since I’ve been able to really immerse myself in a good Judy book and I just know Know KNOW this will top everything I’ve ever read before. I want the experience of my first read to LAST!
So happy for you!
Sincerely,
Paul Smith
That’s great, thank you! You’ll have to let me know what you think. Enjoy!
Oh Scott, Oh Scott. . . . .I just got the box from Amazon. I was not at all prepared for what I saw when I opened it. Why did I think this would be just a standard-sized hardcover? How did I not register that this would be a GREAT BIG BEAUTIFUL VOLUME? I haven’t read a word yet, I admit. But just that jolt of excitement when I opened the box and saw that gorgeous cover was the kick-off to what I can clearly see will be a wonderful reading experience for me.
I’ve read every book about our Judy. I have ALLLLL the books. I’m just an avid book lover. I have an IMMENSE film library and I treasure my books like they were money. What I am getting it is that you cannot estimate how much you have added to the pride and enjoyment that I take in my library.
(And on a side note: What took you so long to write a book!??)
Anyway, I’m gushing and I don’t gush well. But I had to let you know that you’ve really hit the bull’s eye here. Judy lives!
Thank you from the bottom of a dedicated film- and book-lover’s heart!
Paul Smith
Wow – thank you! That’s the best praise anyone could ask for. I know how you feel – I treasure my books and still have all of my Judy/Movie books from the 70s forward. They’re all treasures. I hope you enjoy reading it!
Happy Release Day!!!
Congratulations!!!
Thank you!!
This is it.
Judy Garland: The Voice of MGM is The DEFINITIVE Biography of the MGM Film career of the great Judy Garland.
Author Scott Brogan, Garland expert and webmaster of the acclaimed, long-running website TheJudyRoom.com (a massive, virtual anthology on the life and career of Judy Garland) has now reached higher authority, as a significant principal of Garland’s everlasting legacy. This new book, released June 18th certifies Mr. Brogan as an honorary Judy Garland Historian.
A little more than a week ago Garland’s 103rd Birthday was celebrated with anticipation of Brogan’s release. It is by far the most dignified way to honor the late Garland in the month of her birthday and untimely passing.
Speaking of “Dignified” Judy Garland: The Voice of MGM is nothing but a tome of respect for Judy Garland’s crucial part of her career. The time she spent during her years from 1935-1950 at MGM.
Mr. Brogan is very passionate about Garland’s work at MGM and possibly his favorite part of her long career. Mr. Brogan writes with utmost respect towards her work. You can tell that Brogan did his research, and by citing his sources, he covers each topic and film with just the right length and recommends to the reader what other books on Judy Garland they would enjoy reading if they wish to delve deeper into a specific area of not only Garland’s career but life after MGM and on her personal life. For instance, it isn’t a book filled with hundreds of pages on the tales of behind-the-scenes or the making of The Wizard of OZ, rehashed as it has been many times over the years. It gets right to the point.
The most gratifying thing about this read is that the author doesn’t spend a ghastly amount of time focusing on Garland’s troubled life, nor does he keep harping on Garland’s addiction problems or financial woes as many Biographers have often done so. He doesn’t portray Garland as the ultimate can-do no wrong God.
Something wonderful to be noted is that the book contains the most well-researched information on Garland’s father, Frank Gumm. These include things that readers have never known before. The author’s research is so great that he often catches me off guard with a little unknown fact.
Also, in the world of Judy Garland, not all stories line up. For example, there have been multiple stories on how she came to MGM and the author cites the various sources of each story instead of writing about one and leaving that as definitive. I highly respect that he did this.
Another enjoyable feat is that although the book is focused on Garland’s MGM years there are brief sections at the end of the book on her work outside of MGM including her Legendary “Concert Years.”
Also the appendices. I find them to be very useful. As a Garland fan, if I need to look up something that has slipped my memory, instead of going off to research it in a bunch of other Garland books, with Brogan’s book the information is there at my fingertips.
The book is a beautiful coffee table book but much, much more and includes such wonderful photos that will delight readers and put some smiles on their faces.
I believe that Judy Garland: The Voice of MGM, a beautiful modern work of art will have a great impact on attracting new fans, enjoyment for the casual reader, and us long-time Garland fans, continue to keep our burning love for Judy Garland ignited.
Thank you, Mr. Brogan, for this gift. Your profound devotion to Judy Garland and your articulated and highly respected book will endure for a very long time as a contribution to the legacy of Judy Garland
Thank you Jared! Another amazing review and great feedback. I am so pleased that you “get” what I was doing, such as providing the various accounts of the legends rather than say “this is what definitely happened.” I appreciate that. And yes, her MGM years are probably my favorite Garland era. 🙂
I’d like to also add to my review how enjoyable it was to read about the promotional tours that Judy went on to promote her films. Also, the USO tours, that was an in-depth and exciting read on how Judy and other MGM folks entertained our troops during one of the worst times in history. Judy was one hell of a patriotic gal!
By the way, does anyone else want a Girl Crazy Sundae?
I received my copy of Judy Garland ” The Voice of MGM and it is a beautiful and well written book that celebrates the iconic and unmatched talent of Judy Garland. I am so excited about this release. Scott has given us a treasure that I recommend to everyone. Thank You! For this masterpiece to celebrate the timeless talent and voice of Judy Garland. 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏
Thank you! What a wonderful thing to say. I appreciate it.
Stunning, gorgeous, resplendent book, gent! I got mine last week and read it with no small amount of delight in two days. Mine was your first posted Amazon Review, under my Amazon alias, so you’ll know how thrilled I was with the achievement. 😁
If there’s anything else I could say about it, it would be a paean to the refreshing cohesiveness of the narrative (as a research piece and as a clean, compelling delineation), and the sheer, radiant “feel” of the whole project. It’s a work as engaging and as glamorous as Garland at her MGM height. The photos accompanying the text are striking and perfectly positioned. Superb work all around. Unique among Garland tomes. Oh, yeah. I wish you much success as you promote this exceptional contribution.
Thank you! I’m so glad you like it. I had fun writing it and learned a few new things in the process! 🙂
I am a 20th Century “cinema-creature” appreciator and opening this book was like opening magic. You stayed true to your subject (Garland’s MGM tenure … with relevant tangents) and it’s a knockout work/edition. It’s clear that your publishers stayed true to their needs and your own. Also, may I add: truly well-written. Underlying wit and verve, but not at the service of yourself … at the service of the material.
Garland is an “extra jewel”— no one in modern film/music history has been quite able to equal her or define her. Forget it. Ariana Grande, for example, lately, may be foolish enough to try and starve herself into “big eyes” Garland-territory, but she fails immensely (she’s trying to play Dorothy as Glinda). Nope. She needs to eat a full plate of Aunt Em’s crullers.
This is a lavish accomplishment on your part and should be recognized as such. Go get ‘em.
Thank you! I’m speechless. What a wonderful review.
The book has arrived in the UK and I am super excited to read it. Thank you for focussing upon my favourite period of Judy’s career. I must express my horror, though, upon scouring the index to see no mention of Conrad Salinger. He and Judy were the greatest arranger-vocalist combo in 20th Century popular music, and his scores are what make her M-G-M soundtrack recordings so special and timeless.