 This image "reprinted by permission, The Official 50th Anniversary Pictorial History, The Wizard of Oz Warner Books NY,NY © 1989, all rights reserved." |
Frances "Baby" Ethel Gumm |
Judy Garland was a contract player for the MGM studios when she was assigned to do this film as Dorothy. After several directorship difficulties the final director became Victor Fleming and the producer Mervyn LeRoy. Of course, it was Louis B. Mayer, the head of MGM, that was the guiding force behind The Wizard of Oz. The production filming began in October of 1938 and was complete in March of 1939. The film was copyrighted on August the 7; almost ten months to the day since the cameras had first turned under the then director Richard Thorpe. The Wizard of Oz premiered on August 15, 1939 at the Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California. Then, in New York City, at the Capitol Theatre on August 17, 1939 the east coast primiere was held. It was hailed in glowing terms by the critics. This film cost an astronomical amount in 1939. It came in over budget at the princely sum of $2,777, 080.00. Only Ben Hur (1926) and The Good Earth (1937) cost MGM more money.
A TRIBUTE TO JUDY GARLAND
Judy 1925
This image "reprinted by permission, Judy Garland,
World's Greatest Entertainer, MJF Books,
NY, NY © 1992, all rights reserved."
So often when a celebrity leaves this earthly existence prematurely, at first there are many kind accolades and glowing eulogies of how much they will be missed. Also in print there are prewritten obituaries along with an anthology of the body of their work. How aptly Shakespeare put it in his play Julius Caesar.
| The evil that men do lives after them, The good is oft interred with their bones. |
It took no time at all until the biographers were setting in printer's ink everything from the truth to exploitation, even exaggerated lies about how difficult Judy was and how much trouble she caused everyone. There is perhaps more written material on the theories of who Judy was and why Judy was dysfunctional (therefore undependable) than any other star.
Yet Judy's retort to this accusation was; " For an 'undependable' I certainly made a lot of pictures." This quote of Judy's, and much more on this bigger than life star, can be found in the book Judy Garland, World's Greatest Entertainer, by John Fricke, released in 1992. She made, in the 45 years of her life on a stage; " . . . thirty-two feature films, did voice-over work for two more, and appeared in at least a half dozen short subjects. She received a special Academy Award and was nominated for two others. She starred in thirty of her own television shows (the programs and Garland herself garnering a total of ten Emmy Award nominations) and appeared as a guest on nearly thirty more." This list goes on and on with a Toni Award, and an unprecedented 5 Grammy Awards in 1962 for her record album, Judy at Carnegie Hall, which since has never been out of print.
I am a third generation Californian. I was raised in the Hollywood area as was my father, and for that reason, and my own minuscule career in 'show biz', I have not been particularly impressed with movie stars. They were a staple part of my childhood and adult life. Judy was the only exception to that rule. I remember her from the Wizard of Oz set and how impressed I was with this teenager whose talent was certainly bigger than she was. She was fun and funny and seemingly the most innocent beautiful young girl. I wanted to be like her.
I first saw the Wizard of Oz on my television set. For years I would sit in front of my television with my children and we were all mesmerized by Judy Garland. When Judy sang my heart stopped. By then, the child inside me was in an adult body and for the first time I really understood why Oz was something that would live on long after me. Though it was Judy playing the part of Dorothy Gale, on my television screen, she really was Dorothy. That is what I remember the most about Judy on the MGM set. There truly was something about her that was magical and it had nothing to do with the ruby slippers.
Therefore, I dedicate this site to Dorothy and the fairy tale legacy she left us. I, of course, also dedicate this site to all the members of the cast and crew that made this film a true American classic. I will always remember Judy Garland as the sweet, kind and laughing teen that made so many people so very happy. And, for a brief time transported us to a wonderful world where being good, and kind, and loving, will always lead to a better, kinder world.