BBC radio show

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b012r97j

Entitled: Dear Judy. 

You can still listen to this program for a few more days and every Judy fan should do so. 

Mostly it was very pleasant with Gary Horrocks doing a good job, and nice to hear from Jerry Herman and Max Prevo.....but why did they allow Rufus to sing, "Over the Rainbow" all the way through?  This was a program about Judy--she was the star and not Rufus--and we only got short clips of her songs. 

As Liza said, many years ago, in answer to why she did not sing "Rainbow" - "it has been done" or something like that.

In a positive note I must say I enjoyed hearing from Judy's drummer (the bongo man in "Come Rain and Come Shine") I shall have to listen to it again just for his name and comments. 

I don't mind listening to Rufus talk about Judy but when he starts to sing....I had to go out onto my patio in 100 degrees and wait till it finished--sorry Rufus but that is the way I feel.  

Judy's sense of humor!

I'm bogged down with the whole business of finding an agent versus publishing on my own and for two pins I'll print about 100 copies of my book and give to my friends and wash my hands of the whole affair!  

But I'm not writing for me; I'm writing for Judy because I feel there needs to be a book out there which gives some understanding of her life; she deserves nothing more.

So back to my discovery of the lady called Judy Garland.  

I often wondered why it was the "Judy"  in Strike up the Band that captured my attention.  Just recently I watched all the Mickey/Judy movies in sequence and when I got to Strike up the Band I understood!  It was Judy's sense of humor which caught my attention; the wry funny looks she give Mickey has she listens to his latest crazy plans; the wistful "Our Love Affair;" the beautiful "Nobody" sang in the library--amongst all the lovers of the world--and she has no one.   

In checking in Emily R Coleman's book, "The Complete Judy Garland" I see one of the sscreenplay writers was Freddie Finklehoffe.  Of course!  Freddie was devoted to Judy and probably loved her all his life and certainly understood her.  He brought out her sense of humor in the scripts he wrote for her (also worked on Babes on Broadway, For Me and My Gal,  Girl Crazy, Meet Me in St. Louis and Words and Music) Judy was with Freddie in New York when she met Sid Luft in 1951.

So thank you Freddie Finklehoffe; one of the people behind the scenes who loved Judy and did everything he could for her.  He was apparently very disappointed when she met and fell for Sid. 

Always for Judy,  joan

P.S Has anyone seen a photo of them together?

The Impact of Judy upon me

Gary Horrocks from The International Judy Garland club asked me about my earliest memories of Judy.  I thought it was in the Introduction, but apparently not; the Introduction is just ramblings about how I got into writing about Judy.  The relative comments are in the chapter on early MGM years.

Judy on the set of "Strike up the Band" 

But here are my first memories of Judy.   My mother and I went to see the movie, Strike Up the Band, I must have been about 5 or 6 years old.   We came out of the Embassy Cinema in North Harrow (it is not there now, so sad) and walked along outside the cinema to where the pictures and posters were advertising the film.   I was holding my mother’s hand and I announced to her that I “wanted to see all the films of this girl in future.”    This was a statement to ensure that we didn’t miss any future films because I realized I was too young to have any control over our activities.   She pointed out that I had see Judy a few months earlier in The Wizard of Oz.  I did not agree.... the girl in the Wizard of Oz had pigtails (braids in US) and this girl in Strike Up the Band did not and so it was NOT the same girl!   I insisted I was right and we argued for a bit and eventually she gave up because what is the purpose of arguing with a small child who determined to go down a path even though it is incorrect.

Judy has often said that she felt the Wizard of Oz was really too scary for small children and I can remember being quite scared of the flying monkeys and the witch.  My favorite part of the movie was the three little ballet dancers dressed in pink (no wonder my daughter was taken to ballet classes at an early age.)   So much for the appreciation of Judy from this 5 year old!  If I begin to analyze it now, I can realize that a vivaciously American teenager singing and dancing and having an exciting life at high school would be much more interesting to this small child than a movie which seemed about in the fairy story category.

Judy in London web page www.btinternet.com

                Christopher Ward has an excellent web site called Judy in London and many years ago he asked me to write something for him   You will find it on his web page  www.btinternet.com under “I Could Go on Singing” and entitled ‘A Break for Judy’ and my piece ‘Memories of  I Could go on Singing’    I also facilitated and gave him Lorna Smith’s ‘Among My Souvenirs’ about our time in the recording studio with Judy.   If any of you have not viewed it, you should, it brings back beautiful memories of the time Judy spent in London.  

               My son had scanned copies for me but I had trouble putting them into the book proposal--spent a frustrating four hours on Sunday--had several helpful emails from Christopher--and finally obtained inspiration from the lady at the local copy shop who suggested I use the insert button on top of word document and it worked!!!   I can see Buzz, Gary and Steve rolling their eyes and Gary saying, "she should never be allowed near a computer."   

              Anyway I wanted to give a plug to Christopher's web page.  There are many fine people in the Judy world and Christopher is one of the best.  Always unassuming, keeps very much in the background, is not seen at club meetings and quietly does a great job keeping Judy's memory alive; and that is what it is all about.  Thanks Chris for your friendship through the years.

A serious look at Judy's life.

I really wanted to write about something else Judy related today, but apparently people want to know more about the book.  Oh well, tomorrow with the funny story then! 

         I feel my background in social science and anthropology enables me to look at Judy’s life from a different perspective from many of the other booka which have been written.  Digging back into my anthropology theory, in “The Personal Document in Anthropological Science,” Clyde Kluckholm points out, “life events have meaning only in their context.  This context is, in part, created by the contemporary situation of the subject and by the sequence of experience which are peculiar to him as an individual” (1945, p.122).  Therefore it is necessary to place the life of Judy Garland among the era in which she grew up; in the vaudeville stages where she witnessed hundreds of acts and performed herself; the sound studios where she recorded songs; MGM sets where she where she sang, danced and acted as she grew up.  I want to understand why and how this special person evolved; what were her challenges; how and why she dealt with the chaotic of her life; her loves; and most importantly,  what damage was done to her in those years being continually forced to audition as a child.  I hope to explain some of her actions and incorporate my experiences at concerts and meeting Judy.     
            As we will see from Judy’s life patterns she knew the drugs that she had been habitude to were not good for her but she was not able to break the pattern.  Many times she admitted herself into hospitals trying to get free of the drugs and get well.  But because of how she was programmed-to entertain, the pattern that had been imprinted on her by the age of seven, she was not able to break this pattern.  

            Now it is easier for young actors to control their careers because they are not tied to 5-year contracts with studios and are able to further their education; attend college; learn to analyze their job opportunities and gain confidence in dealing with people in positions of power such as heads of studios and defend their choices as to what type of work they want.  Judy never had that opportunity.  She was the bread winner and she had to do as she was told.  

           This book is for Judy fans and I have included many of the stories which have been related to me through the years from people who witnessed her perform and met her.  I want to capture her charm, grace, wit, artistry, and most of all show how she was a thoroughly nice woman.   

            I’m particularly grateful to Michael Apted, filmmaker, who graciously allowed me to use his documentary UP Series, which looks at lives of people over the years, as a frame work for my analysis of Judy’s life and to prove the Jesuit saying, “Give me the child until he is seven, and I will show you the man.” 

Got distracted today...

Trying to re-size some of the documents I scanned into my book proposal...they were too small...work on it tomorrow...Today I got enthralled with a Christopher Heaney's book, 'Cradle of Gold' about Hiram Bingham (a real-life Indiana Jones,) who explored and reported to the western world about Machu Picchu - actually 100 years ago this month.  What I would have given to be in his shoes!  This is my other passion- archaeology and the art of Mayan, Aztecs and South America, particularly Peru and the Incas. 

Then I had to watch Torchwood on Starz instead of BBC.  John Barrowman  Born in Scotland, brought up in the States...a real hero --his team fight aliens--this time in the States.

Back to Judy tomorrow, I can spend all day re-sizing....have a good weekend.

I'm now twittering @joanmelonie

Went over to my son's house to get some of my writings scanned, cos I couldn't do it!   For the book proposal of course....and he pushed and shoved me into twittering...you must do it--you'll reach a much bigger audience, he said.  Of course my daughter had been at me for a long time to do it, so I have been busy.   Now I am following Hugh Laurie, John Barrowman...... all my heros.  But back to the book proposal...although I complain about having to do it, I do realize that it is making me focus on exactly what I am trying to achieve so that is good, I guess.  That's all for today.  Time for a cup of tea...

Joining Jan Glazier's Judy Family

I attend a concert by Richard Glazier, “From Gershwin to Garland” and Jan, his lovely wife, incorporated me into her Judy Family and encouraged me to tell some early fan club stories.  In April 2010 Jan organized a Judy in Hollywood function over three days visiting many of the sites where Judy had performed, including CBS where I had worked many years ago.  

In the old MGM studio where Judy recorded 'Over the Rainbow'

Hannah, Kate and myself at Matteos

Heather, Meredith and myself at Matteos, Judy's favorite place 

At Farmer Market, Justin, Ruth, Gary, Ellie and me

Again I meet more young fans and realize that Judy’s magic will go on for ever, 100, 200 and even 500 years.  Young people will hear her voice somewhere, or see one of her old movies on television and will become captivated and want to learn more about her.  I would like there to be a book out there which is not sensational but looks at Judy’s life sensibly. 

           

Heather and Martha outside Judy's Stone Canyon House 

Gary and I are going to give presentation about the UK Fan Club in the past and present

Judy's studio at CBS

Dear George Sunga and Ellie talking about the television series

In Studio 43, many shivers up and down spines

Steve Sanders, who wrote the book, Rainbow's End: The Judy Garland Show, discussing it with George Sunga who was Production Supervisor



Hannah, who is helping me so much with this blog, thank you



Gary, Joey Luft and Jan 

Lovely one of Meredith and Gary

Martha and George

Well, I am learning, sometimes I can post one way and somethings another.  Realize many of you who attended this function have seen these photographs, but thought others would like to know what a lovely group of people Jan and Richard Glazier have brought together.

Back to book proposal...

Happy 4th July....Finding the UK club again and more photos

For 35 years, after moving to the United States in 1962, having and bringing up a family, I had no contact with other Judy fans.  I have no idea how or why I lost contact with Lorna Smith, who had been the President of the UK Club, but trying to survive in Los Angeles as new immigrant was not exactly easy.  It wasn’t that Judy was forgotten, she was always in my thoughts but I just did not meet anyone to talk with about her.

            While in the London I was able to re-new my contact with Lorna Smith    Lorna had written two books, one a straightforward biography, Judy with Love  which came out at the same time as two other books on Judy, and Lorna’s  book did not get much attention but now when a copy comes up on e-bay it sells very quickly.  The second book was a book about some psychic experiences Lorna had had with Judy.  Now I have to explain that Lorna was a very serious person, an Internal Revenue Official before she retired, and not someone to become involved in bizarre activities so I was interested to hear about how this book had come into being.   All this is documented in Lorna’s book, Over the Rainbow.  Judy wanted Lorna to try to put the record straight.  Lorna gave me a copy of the book and after reading I thought the words in it were beautiful.   Lorna told me that many copies of the second book were sitting on Sonny Gallagher’s patio in Pennsylvania and I determined to try to get the books out to the public.  I advertise it in the internet Judy Fan Club and got to speak to even more young fans.  People still say to me, but she committed suicide and suddenly I understand why Lorna felt she had to write her books.

Joey and me in GR 1997

Sonny Gallagher at the Carnegie Hall do in 1998?

Better one of Sonny Gallagher

The new friends I found, Frankie, Wayne, Meredith and Bev. way back about 15 years ago...

 Bev me and Frankie when he interviewed me a long time ago in Palm Springs.

 My friend, Lorna Smith

When Lorna heard I had made contact with the club after 35 years, she said "Oh she has surfaced again!" such a Lorna expression.

            I feel I must try again to make some sense of her life and, particularly for the young people.  A biography should try to make sense out of the person’s life and this is what I am endeavoring to do.   Just before I left England that summer I went to visit two clinical psychologists, which I had met on a previous vacation in Europe.  In discussing my recent activities I mentioned Judy and my thoughts of her life and one of the women said, of course, she was an abused child.   Also discussing my life, my mother’s marriage, I was classified as an abused child also.  As I have I said before there is always the reason we go somewhere and meet someone, they are to led us to the truth. 

            I see many parallels in Judy’s life and mine.  Both our mothers were widows, who married again when we were 17 years of age.   There is a sense of abandonment that one is not the most important person anymore.  Judy’s mother was in awe of Judy’s employer MGM and mine in awe of my employer, Eastman Kodak (again similarities-movie film!!)  If I wanted to leave Kodak this would bring disgrace to her.   I wonder how many time, Judy was told the same thing when she wanted to leave MGM.

            Well time goes bye, five grandchildren are born, several house moves, various medical problems to be overcome and I continue to wander the world seeking out strange and magical places.  But Judy is always there – I spend many weeks with Lorna hearing first hand her experiences with Judy, write this up for the fan club; attend several  club meetings and then the advent of face book brought more young fans into my orbit.

Still working on book proposal...ugh...

           

Continuation of saga of why I am writing

The next spring I think about going to the big Judy Garland Festival in honor of Judy’s 75th birthday in Grand Rapids and start trying to find out about it.  Of course, I called the Michigan Tourist Office first before I found my way to Minnesota. (Now you would think as a Judy fan I would know it was Minnesota, but when Lorna Smith wrote her book, “Judy, with Love” she started of with Judy being born in Murfressboro, Tennessee, but that is another story.)  I managed to locate the site and plan to attend, but my life becomes very confused as there were other demands on my time and an opportunities to go work in a archaeology laboratory in Mexico, and it appears that the dates clash, I can’t do both!    But the Mexican “dig people” keep changing their minds about exactly which day they will arrive in Mexico City and everyone is coming in at different times.  I decide I will try to do both activities and fly on a night flight (the only one) to Minneapolis, rent a car and drive four hours to Grand Rapids, spend the weekend, and then rush back down to the airport on the Sunday night and fly out to Mexico City, on the Monday.  Everything works out fine and the Mexico trip is worth a book in itself, but back to Judy. 

            I am a little apprehensive about attending a Festival on my own, being basically rather shy--yes I am!   I am checking out the rental car and the woman at the next counter asks about the route to Grand Rapids and I catch her eye.  It takes one to know one and I meet my first friends, Bill and Carolyn Seibel.   After the long drive to Grand Rapids I check into the Sawmill Hotel, where most of the Judy activities were taking place, the first people I meet are five or six 15 year old girls and one boy from Holland of a similar age.   They are all wearing Judy tee shirts and I want to know how they became friends - from the internet club, they say.  They all live in different parts of the country and have met for the first time that day and they are very excited. (It is really for these young people are the reason I am writing this).   Moments later Sid Luft comes down the stairwell and goes into the indoor Jacuzzi.   The girls and boy run screaming after him, “We know it is Sid from his baggy eyes.”  I have not forgotten how to be a fan I’m not going to be left behind.  I leave my suitcases in the middle of the hallway and follow the girls.   Sid is shaking hands with the girls and after they leave I say “Hello Sid, do you remember me from the recording studio in London, with Lorna Smith, in the 60s?”  “Of course,” he says (what else could he say?) “And what are you doing here dear?”  “I’m here for the same reason you are, here for the 75th Festival.   Isn’t it wonderful about all the young fans”  and we talk of  this and how the last time I had seen Joey was when he was five years old at the CBS Television Studio.   Joey didn’t seem very impressed with this memory, but later we will have several delightful conversations about his mother, and Sid and I talked more.  

            The days in Grand Rapids were filled with meetings with other fans.  I was on a panel, trying to explain what it was like to attend one of Judy’s concerts and this experience led me to dig down deep into my soul to remember things and begin to articulate them.  I realized that I had experiences which others had not been able to have and that I should share these memories. (Afterwards people came up to me and asked me for my autographs!!  I was no one, why did they want my autograph? It was then I realized I should share my memories and the first started using the expressions, “Always for Judy.”)   This panel was organized by the UK Fan Club and they urged me to attend their next meeting which will be held two days after my arrival in England.  I was going to be there for three months and another club meeting was held before I left in October.   So suddenly I am being immersed in “Judy.”  I am meeting so many old friends and most importantly I am meeting so many new young fans of Judy.

my inspiration-I have kept in touch with one of these girls 

Sid can be a charmer-we talk of surviving cancer

believe this is dear Michael Siewert, we were so young then

the panel

The Dominion, London 1957

I have going to continue with my saga about how I got to write this book, but so captivated by Gary Horrocks talking about Judy's visit to the Dominion; this is foremost in my mind + internet been down all day because of power outages, it is very hot here.

this was our group then, Lorna Smith in front

we get to meet Judy after the last performance

Ninnie me in standing at the back....very shy...what a twerp I was...

I can't begin to explain how exciting it was in London that November, a chill in the air, shops full of Christmas decorations.  Judy was coming, we had not seen her since 1951 and by then we were a close group, maybe twenty or so in the London area.  We'd been listening to the LPs, JUDY, etc. and we'd seen "A Star is Born" but not any of the television specials.   We all ran out and bought as many tickets as we could afford and seeing as I got in on opening night, received a individual LP that Judy had recorded just for that night, as a "thank you" to the London audiences,  who she loved.  But I shouldn't say more now, watch the information coming from Gary and The International Judy Garland Club.  Now how to I download a photograph? 




 

Introduction Chapter

I feel rather like I am in a car (which I don't know how to drive) and going somewhere I don't know...with the publishing business.  Anyway here are some thoughts on my Introduction:

So how and why did I decide to write a book about Judy? Judy had been in my life since I was about six years old and it had never occurred to me to write a book about her.  Sometimes I feel that life is a path we meander down, people we meet, ideas which are exchanged (rather like the Celestine Prophecy) and suddenly one is doing something which a few months ago would never have occurred to us.  My endeavors to write this book are in this category and I think it is important to document them--well I always need to document everything and so it satisfies a need in me.

            In October 1996; my son and I were in New York State in October for my daughter’s wedding and were spending a few days in Manhattan.  While in a theater shop I notice someone buying a Judy/Carnegie Hall poster--I had one of those once, now lost with many of my Judy cuttings and so I look ruefully at the poster.   The woman who is buying this last copy tells me of the Judy Garland Festival in Grand Rapids the next June and tells me that I should go because it is the celebration of Judy’s 75th birthday.  The guy behind the counter asks us if we have been out to Fernleaf Mausoleum, where Judy is laid to rest.  “No,” I say, “but I always wanted to go”  “Can we find it?” I ask my son.   We are leaving the next day for Monroe which is about fifty miles from Manhattan and it appears we will go past it, that is, if we can find it!   Time is of the essence because we must be in Monroe by 5 p.m. for the wedding festivities to start.   I begin to get very anxious.   “I know we won’t get to Judy,” I wail.  “Oh, yes we will”, my son insists.  It is a beautiful day in New York City, as it only can be in October, and we have Frank Sinatra singing to us about “autumn in New York” as we leave.   We search the map as we drive and suddenly my son, who is driving, sees a small sign “Fernleaf” - I would never have seen it!   We turn quickly and drive through the beautiful grounds.   The video camera is going all this time and, of course, the moment is captured.   I go to the search desk and there are a few people ahead of us.  I expect to feel a fool, asking “Where is Judy Garland?”   But my son rushes up, “I found her, I found her!” and we run through the quiet halls to where she is laid.  Sadly I realized that in the rush to leave I had not brought any flowers, everything had been too unexpected, but there are two poses of flowers there with messages of love.  (I learn later that the UK Fan Club regularly collects money and sends flowers and I always contribute to their fund now.)   We take a few photographs and they ask if I want to be alone, but I just wanted to see it, and I am content.