Name a problem that plagues movie stars, and Frances Ethel Gumm, also known as Judy Garland, born June 10, 1922, experienced it. An unhappy though celebrated childhood, unsuccessful marriages (one to a man who turned out to be gay), and a lifetime battle with the drugs she took to keep up her energy and slim down her figure all conspired against her, the latter ultimately causing her death in June, 1969, less than two weeks after her 47th birthday. Legend has it there was a tornado in Kansas the day she died.
But Judy fought back every time she faced a problem, following up a successful juvenile film career with an adult film and singing career ("Judy Garland at Carnegie Hall," 1961, earned five Grammy Awards and topped the charts for two months), all of which gained her an enormous fan following. Several of her films are among the most beloved of all time.
As a teenager, she was particularly known for her many collaborations with Mickey Rooney. Her most famous role is certainly that of Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, the film that made her a star. And many feel her best performance was turned in after her comeback in 1954's A Star is Born.
There are numerous Web sites devoted to Judy's life, her movies, and/or her songs, most of which are listed on the succeeding pages of this article. (Click on the links below for Parts II, III, and IV.)
Part I: Introduction
Part II: Judy Garland Tributes, Memorabilia, and Other Pages
Part III: Movie Reviews & Where to Find Her Movies
Part IV: Books, Recordings, Photos, Art, and Posters
