The Wikipedia article on Judy Garland lists almost 20 biographies that have been written on her. Can anyone recommend the best one to give a real feel for her life and tribulations without giving an over-emphasis on the tribulations?
I have a better idea. Simply go to any Gay bar, find a guy about 50 years old or older, buy him a beer and say, “so tell me about Judy.”
This approach would work if you found me, and about 98% of the guys I know.
I’ve read that Judy’s gate swung both ways. Also, there was a movie about her life a few years ago starring this INCREDIBLE young singer (I’m to lazy to look it up.)
The movie showed her problems with weight and her mother having her doctor prescribe drugs for that. I still go out of my way to hear her songs. Whatta voice!
Judy Davis played Judy Garland in Life with Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows.
None of the Garland biographies is entirely satisfactory because of, as you say, the over-dwelling on her tribulations. Both of her daughters have denounced that view of her life as being unbalanced. That being said, Gerald Clarle’s meticulously researched bio Get Happy: The Life of Judy Garland is probably the best of the lot.
P.S. Both Tammy Blanchard and Judy Davis won Emmys for portraying Garland in Life With Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows, with Blanchard playing the younger Judy. Both lip-synched to Judy Garland recordings.
Yup, me too.
[QUOTE=Walloon]
None of the Garland biographies is entirely satisfactory because of, as you say, the over-dwelling on her tribulations. Both of her daughters have denounced that view of her life as being unbalanced. That being said, Gerald Clarle’s meticulously researched bio Get Happy: The Life of Judy Garland is probably the best of the lot.
Thank you. I’ll look that book up.
Can you explain this obsession? I’ve never gotten it…
I agree with the Clarke recommendation. “Judy” by Gerold Frank is also good, and “Rainbow” edited by Ethie Ann Vare is good. “Rainbow’s End” by Coyne Steven Sanders is a good recounting of “The Judy Garland Show.”
I second that one. Stay away (FAR AWAY) from Mel Torme’s book on the same subject. There’s a metric assload of ego-driven bitter in it.
I just finished reading the biography you recommended. I thought it an excellent study. Thanks for the recommendation.