Judy Garland | Hollywood Yesterday

Judy Garland Behind the Scenes of Presenting Lily Mars

January 6, 2023 By Joi

Judy Garland Behind the Scenes of Presenting Lily Mars

Judy Garland gave so many phenomenal and memorable performances that it’s almost impossible to give them all equal attention. Having said that, her radiant performance in Presenting Lily Mars doesn’t get nearly enough attention. She was never more beautiful than she was during this time – she looked so healthy and happy, she all but glowed.

Presenting Lily Mars (1943) was directed by Norman Taurog and also stars Van Heflin, Fay Bainter, Spring Byington, and Richard Carlson. It’s such a wonderful movie and Judy (as always) gives a perfectly lovely performance. She was so incredibly talented and had one of the most charismatic screen presences of all time.

You can find Presenting Lily Mars on dvd (Amazon link) or watch the movie on Prime Video.

The Harvey Girls (1946): The Cast Directors DREAM Of!

December 30, 2022 By Joi

Preston Foster, Angela Lansbury, Judy Garland, and John Hodiak

The Harvey Girls is a wonderfully entertaining 1946 musical-western. directed by George Sidney, the movie stars Judy Garland, Angela Lansbury, Ray Bolger, John Hodiak, Preston Foster, Cyd Charisse, Marjorie Main, Chill Wills, and Virginia O’Brien.

Every role is filled to perfection. It’s rare you watch a movie and think, “I wouldn’t change a single thing…” but this is definitely one of those cases.

You can find The Harvey Girls on dvd and Blu-ray (Amazon link) or watch the movie on Prime Video.

Virginia O’Brien, Judy Garland, and Cyd Charisse

Judy Garland in a Stunning Presenting Lily Mars Promotional Photo

December 26, 2022 By Joi

Judy Garland

I hope all of you had a beautiful and peaceful Christmas holiday! I’m finally slowing down long enough to get back to my old Hollywood blog – and thought, “What better way to get back into the swing of things than with the beautiful Judy Garland?!?!”

This lovely, talented actress, singer, dancer, and entertainer extraordinaire was one in a billion and SO much more beautiful than she, herself, realized. Apparently she once referred to Lana Turner as her idea of beauty and I’d simply love to tell her that she was every bit as beautiful as Lana – which is, obviously, saying something!

Thanks so much for reading my blog – you honor me with your presence so much and I appreciate you to the moon and back. ~ Joi (“Joy“)

You can find Presenting Lily Mars on dvd (Amazon link) or watch the movie on Prime Video.

Judy Garland: Beautiful Promo Photo for Summer Stock

March 30, 2022 By Joi

Judy Garland

Summer Stock (1950) was directed by Charles Walters and is one of my very favorite musicals. How could it not be… it stars the extraordinary Judy Garland and the equally extraordinary Gene Kelly?!

The excellent musical also includes Gloria DeHaven, Eddie Bracken, Marjorie Main, Hans Conried, and Phil Silvers.

You can find the wonderfully entertaining Summer Stock on dvd (Amazon link) or watch on Prime Video.

Marjorie Main, Gloria DeHaven, Gene Kelly, and Judy Garland

Judy Garland and Gene Kelly, Behind the Scenes of the Wonderful Summer Stock

February 4, 2022 By Joi

Judy Garland and Gene Kelly

There’s just something about a musical to make the world seem blissfully perfect, isn’t there?! For me, it’s even more so if Judy Garland or Gene Kelly is involved… so when they’re in the SAME musical, look out! I will be smiling for days.

One of the musicals I watch and rewatch is Summer Stock (1950, directed by Charles Walters). In addition to Judy Garland and Gene Kelly, the musical stars (among others) Gloria DeHaven, Marjorie Main, Eddie Bracken, Phil Silvers, and the always entertaining Hans Conried.

You can find the wonderfully entertaining Summer Stock on dvd (Amazon link) or watch on Prime Video.

Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney, Babes on Broadway

June 29, 2021 By Joi

Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney

Okay, so every Old Hollywood fanatic and den chair film historian has confessions they just HAVE to air out every now and then. I am no exception… so, here goes…

While I love Judy Garland to complete and utter distraction, I cannot even begin to like the movies she and Mickey Rooney made together. As a Judy fan, I have tried and tried.

But… they’re just a total “nope” for me.

Judy is beautiful in each one.. far more beautiful than we’re supposed to realize, it seems, because each time I’m left screaming at my tv… “Why would she be fighting so hard for this guy when HE should be fighting so hard for her?!??!”

I’m a very reasonable movie-watcher, can you tell?

At any rate, as a Judy Garland collector, I simply must have each one of her movies on dvd, including these. Funny thing is, a lot of people love these movies as much as I love westerns and musicals. I’ve come across a great number of people who watch them as their “comfort movies.” I don’t tell them this, but I’d rather not be comforted than to watch these movies!

Shhh, that’ll be our little secret.

These pictures are from Babes on Broadway (Amazon link to the dvd… in case you’re a collector or happen to love the movie… in which case, pretend you didn’t read everything you just read!)

Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney

Closer Magazine: One of the Few Magazines I Still Buy….

June 11, 2021 By Joi

Closer Magazines

I used to spend so much money on magazines… I mean to the point I almost embarrassed my own self. I got it from my mom. She simply didn’t go to the store without returning with at least one magazine. I still love them but find that I buy fewer than I once did. I buy a couple of cooking magazines consistently but the one I look forward to the most and buy without fail (each issue) is Closer Magazine. It’s the only entertainment magazine I buy these days.

As you can see by the photos in this post, I am accumulating quite a collection… and this isn’t even all of them! I add magazines that feature my favorites (like Lucille Ball, Audrey Hepburn, James Stewart, Judy Garland…) to my individual collections.

Not only does Closer almost always have one of our beloved stars from old Hollywood or Classic television on the cover, they also feature book reviews, interviews, and articles inside the magazine. I love that they spotlight Lucille Ball and Judy Garland so often.

Closer Magazines

You can find Closer in quite a few grocery stores (I find it consistently in Meijer and every now and then in Kroger), but most people seem to prefer subscribing to Closer. I’m actually considering doing so, myself. I love having new things to look forward to in the mail AND it’s kind of cool to get a magazine before it hits the stands!

Closer Magazine Subscription

BOTD, the Legendary, Beautiful, Talented, and ICONIC Judy Garland

June 10, 2021 By Joi

In the Good Old Summertime, Van Johnson and Judy Garland

Frances Ethel Gumm was BOTD in 1922 in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. The adorable little girl would go on to become “Judy Garland,” one of the brightest and most-loved stars of all time.

While Judy’s angelic voice and charismatic stage performances are legendary, I actually think of her primarily as an actress – and an extraordinary one, at that.

While I love all of her films, my personal favorites are In the Good Old Summertime (1949), The Pirate (1948), The Wizard of Oz (1939), Meet Me in St. Louis (1944), and Easter Parade (1948).

Judy Garland and Gene Kelly in The Pirate

Judy exuded warmth, charm, humor, and EVER SO much talent in each of her roles. She also had a natural rapport and chemistry with everyone she came near. I think a lot of that had to do with the fact that everyone was sincerely thrilled to be working with her.

Fred Astaire and Judy Garland, Easter Parade

Hedy Lamarr, Judy Garland, and Lana Turner

April 22, 2021 By Joi

Hedy Lamarr, Judy Garland, and Lana Turner

Hedy Lamarr, Judy Garland, and Lana Turner are three of the stars who made 1941’s Ziegfeld Girl such a joy to watch. The movie also stars James Stewart as Lana Turner’s love interest (and talk about chemistry… these two certainly had it!).

The photo below is a “behind the scenes photo” – I love these types of photos. I always love to imagine if certain stars are “in character” or showing their own genuine expressions and emotions. Hedy Lamarr and Judy Garland are either in character, here, or greatly concentrating on their next scene.

While positivity runs throughout my dna (seriously, I have been called Mary Poppins more times than I could count.. unless, of course, I put down my umbrella and really focus), I have one bone to pick about this film. Why wasn’t Judy Garland given dresses as beautiful as the ones given to Lana and Hedy?! She had a lovely figure and was absolutely beautiful. I just wish more effort had been put into her costumes – especially in the one pictured here.

I understand that her character was different from the other actresses characters, but still. I wish she had been given a prettier dress, period.

Okay, that’s out of my system. Back to my umbrella….

You can find Ziegfeld Girl (Amazon link) on dvd or watch the movie on Prime Video. Just be warned… James Stewart and Lana Turner will leave you speechless and wishing SO HARD that they’d made many more movies together.

Hedy Lamarr, Judy Garland, and Lana Turner, Behind the Scenes

Hedy Lamarr, Judy Garland, and Lana Turner: Ziegfeld Girl

April 16, 2021 By Joi

Hedy Lamarr, Judy Garland, and Lana Turner

Talk about three beautiful faces! Hedy, Judy, and Lana were as beautiful as it gets. Sadly, Judy never seemed to realize just how beautiful she was. From what I’ve read, she considered Lana Turner to possess the ultimate beauty but, each time I see Judy’s angelic face, I think, “Girl, you should have paid more attention to the mirror… you were a beauty in your own right!”

Ziegfeld Girl (1941) is a colorful, enjoyable extravaganza with an a great cast. In addition to the three talented ladies pictured here, the movie also starred James Stewart, Jackie Cooper, Edward Everett Horton, Eve Arden, Ian Hunter, and Tony Martin.

Lana Turner and James Stewart

I’m sure I’ve mentioned this before – once or a million times, I forget which – but James Stewart and Lana Turner’s storyline is my favorite part of this movie. They had an extra special chemistry together that rivaled any other film couple… including Maureen O’Hara/John Wayne, Katharine Hepburn/Spencer Tracy, and Lauren Bacall/Humphrey Bogart.

Don’t get me wrong, I love Hedy and Judy Garland too… James and Lana just brought a little extra magic.