Judy Garland | Hollywood Yesterday

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

June 11, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

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 Leave a Comment

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 Leave a Comment

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 Leave a Comment

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.

Judy Garland, Hedy Lamarr, and Lana Turner

Judy Garland: Beautiful Presenting Lily Mars Publicity Picture

November 18, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Judy Garland

Pictures of beautiful Judy Garland always make me smile. I don’t know for sure what it is about her, but…. well… she makes me happy! I recently watched three of my favorite Judy Garland movies (The Pirate, Easter Parade, and In the Good Old Summertime) because I felt it was exactly what 2020 called for – massive doses of Judy Garland.

I was right, I felt better than ever after spending so much time with this extra special actress, singer, and performer. The lady could do it all and made it seem effortless.

Judy Garland

Hollywood in Kodachrome: A Book You MUST Have if You Love Old Hollywood

August 10, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Hollywood in Kodachrome

I believe I’ve mentioned on the Old Hollywood blog (as well as on my Old Hollywood Twitter page) just how cruel July treated me. Obviously, I’m in the same quarantine boat with everyone else as this global pandemic tragically carries on. However, July gave me a few more blows. My MUCH loved 17 year old cat died in my arms (gut-wrenching to say the least), and then the next day (while cooking and crying… not a good mix), I badly burned my arm and chest with hamburger grease.

Talk about pain! The emotional and physical pain sort of battled it out to see which one would bring me down first. Naturally, this lasted for weeks… long, long weeks.

My daughter Brittany bought me a book (the gorgeous one you see here, Hollywood in Kodachrome by David Wills) to lift my spirits. The fact that she DID it lifted them sky high (I swear, I have the sweetest family – I thank God for them every single day). Each time I look at the book – which sits out, prominently, because it’s such a work of art, I think about Brittany and smile.

(Review Continued Below….)

Judy Garland and Lena Horne

I’ve been anxious to tell y’all about Hollywood in Kodachrome (link to the book on Amazon) because it’s one I know you’ll love as much as I do. I look through it so often and, each time, notice something about a photograph or star I hadn’t noticed before.

I love to look at the photographs and dissect the colors used, the makeup (when applicable… literally), clothes, props, lighting, etc. Like acting, SO much goes into photography… and yet, when it’s done extraordinarily well, you don’t see the effort… you just see the magic.

This book is one work of magic after the other after the other after the other.

Book Description from Amazon:

Hollywood in Kodachrome is a stunning portfolio of the stars of Hollywood’s Golden Age, captured in rich, deeply saturated color photographs reproduced from original Kodachrome negatives and curated by collector David Wills and designer Stephen Schmidt, the creative team behind Marilyn Monroe: Metamorphosis and Audrey: The 60s.

From Elizabeth Taylor, Ava Gardner, and Rita Hayworth to Fred Astaire, Humphrey Bogart, and Gregory Peck—and many more—the silver screen’s elite are all here, in the full blush of youth, captured as if they were taken yesterday. But the true star is the medium itself: late-1940s sheet Kodachrome, a film stock that remains legendary for its rich tonal range, precise color, and detail.

Including a foreword by Golden Age star Rhonda Fleming, and featuring more than 200 photos from classic films and publicity shoots, Hollywood in Kodachrome is a magnificent tribute to Hollywood’s most beloved icons, captured at their glamorous best.

There are 329 pages in this extraordinary book – savoring the photos reminds me of walking through my kind of art gallery… one with only photos of Old Hollywood stars!

Some of the stars include:

Maureen O’Hara
Rita Hayworth
Lucille Ball
Lena Horne
Judy Garland
Yvonne DeCarlo (one particular photo that’ll make your jaw drop!)
Humphrey Bogart
Lauren Bacall
Clark Gable
Bette Davis
Frank Sinatra
Errol Flynn
Lana Turner
Elizabeth Taylor
Marilyn Monroe
and just about every star from the 40s you can name… with many featured more than once.

Many of the publicity shots are never-before-seen… something I can attest to and vouch for. I’ve spent my life up to my chin in Old Hollywood photographs and films and there are countless photos in this gorgeous book I’ve never seen before.

I don’t want to post many of the inside photographs, here, for several reasons:

It wouldn’t be fair to the authors, publishers, or photographers. I wouldn’t want people using the photos online without their consent. These professionals work extremely hard and give us so much – I want to always be fair to them. I only use the gorgeous Judy Garland and Lena Horne photos (above) to give you an idea just how big and gloriously beautiful the photos are. I carefully cropped them in a manner where they can’t be used anywhere online and made certain to leave the photographers’ names intact. I also thought these two photos illustrated what I was talking about when it comes to looking at the background colors, clothing, and makeup. Their lipsticks just pop with the colors around them!
I want you to have the same extraordinary experience I did each time I turned the page, wondering who I’d “meet” next! It was unspeakably fun to come across so many unexpected pictures and stars. I want you to experience that for yourself.

(Review Continued Below…)

Hollywood in Kodachrome

I also love the “outtakes” (previously unpublished) of stars in famous ad campaigns (Max Factor, Lipton, Lucky Strike, Lux, Royal Crown Cola…).

I took the picture above to try and give you an idea just how big this magnificent book is – by using one of my coffee mugs and a tumbler as comparison… and yet I’m still not convinced it captures just how big and beautiful this book is!

This is simply a breathtakingly beautiful collection of photographs of the greatest stars the world has ever known. It’s a celebration of their lives, their spark, and their magic.

You can find Hollywood in Kodachrome (link to the book on Amazon) on Amazon. When you click through the link, you’ll notice it is available “used” as well as “new.”

I couldn’t possibly recommend this showcase any more than I do. It not only lifted my spirits when they needed them most, it provides joy on a regular basis.

And Lauren looks so gorgeous sitting out to greet me each time I walk into the room!

Hollywood in Kodachrome (link to the stunning book on Amazon)

Picture of the Day: Lena Horne and Judy Garland, The Judy Garland Show

June 2, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Lena Horne and Judy Garland, 1963

The Judy Garland Show was made up of episodes where the wonderful Judy Garland sang and visited with other wonderful performers. One such performer was one of my absolute favorite stars of all time – the legend, herself, Lena Horne. (Click HERE to see a video of the beautiful ladies singing a duet)

The Wizard of Oz Publicity Photos are As Good as Good Gets

February 8, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

The Wizard of Oz (link to the dvd on Amazon) is one of the most universally known and loved films of all time. Everything about it just feels, somehow, magical and each scene leaves you with a sense of wonder whether you’ve seen it 100 times or you’re watching it for the first time.

I hope these publicity photos leave you with a little of that wonder, today.

Jack Haley, Ray Bolger, Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, Bret Lahr, and Terry (Toto)

The Wizard of Oz Cast

Judy Garland – Dorothy
Frank Morgan – The Wizard of Oz
Ray Bolger – The Scarecrow
Bert Lahr – The Cowardly Lion
Jack Haley – The Tin Man
Billie Burke – Glinda
Margaret Hamilton – The Wicked Witch of the West
Terry – Toto (Terry, unlike Toto, happened to be a girl!)

Judy Garland, Bert Lahr, Jack Haley, and Ray Bolger

A recent study found that The Wizard of Oz (link to the dvd on Amazon) is the most watched movie in film history. This is partly because it appeals to children and adults, alike, so families often watch it together. Many of the scenes of Margaret Hamilton as The Wicked Witch were actually deleted because they were deemed too scary for children. Do you have any idea what I’d give to be able to see these deleted scenes?!? Can you imagine how magnificent she was?

Jack Haley, Ray Bolger, Judy Garland and Terry, Frank Morgan, and Bert Lahr,

The Wizard of Oz Trivia

The Scarecrow makeup that Ray Bolger wore on his face consisted of a rubber prosthetic with a woven pattern that resembled burlap. By the time the film was finished the prosthetic had left a pattern of lines on his face that took more than a year to entirely go away.
Judy Garland said she had a hard time acting scared of the Wicked Witch because Margaret Hamilton was such a nice person.
When filming first started, Judy Garland wore a blonde wig and heavy, “baby-doll” type makeup. When George Cukor assumed the role of intermediate director , he (thank goodness!) got rid of the wig and most of the makeup and told her to just be herself…. which proved to be the best advice possible.
Judy Garland became very fond of Terry and wanted her for her own dog – however, Terry’s owner (understandably) had no interest in giving her up.
Ray Bolger (The Scarecrow )was originally cast as the Tin Man.
Margaret Hamilton was a lifelong fan of the Oz books and was overjoyed to take part in the film.
Buddy Ebsen (Jed Clampett, The Beverly Hillbillies) was originally cast as the Scarecrow, but switched roles with Ray Bolger. However, Tin Man costume contained aluminum dust, which ended up coating Ebsen’s lungs. He was also very allergic to it and one day had such a horrible reaction that he couldn’t breathe and had to be rushed to the hospital. The role was immediately recast. Buddy Ebsen, reportedly, was very upset about it – considering it humiliating and a personal affront. When Jack Haley was chosen to be the new Tin Man, the make-up was changed from aluminum dust to aluminum paste.
Margaret Hamilton has said that when she watches the scene where the Wizard (Frank Morgan) gives Dorothy’s friends gifts from his “black bag” (a diploma for the Scarecrow, a ticking heart for the Tin Man and a medal for the Cowardly Lion), she gets teary-eyed, because as she says, “Frank Morgan was just like that in real life–very generous.”

Judy Garland and Gene Kelly: For Me and My Gal Sal (1942)

January 19, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

One of my all-time favorite actresses and musical stars is Judy Garland. One of my all-time favorite actors and musical stars is Gene Kelly. So, can you imagine the perfect excitement that fills my den when I’m watching a musical with both of these magical stars?

My cats can barely stand me, I’m so giddy. They truly were magical, weren’t they?

Below is the wonderful duo performing “For Me and My Gal” from the musical of the same name (1942). One of my favorite musicals of all time, it’s pretty underrated, for whatever reasons.

Maybe we can do something about that right now!

Six years later, they would team up again for another one of my favorite musicals, The Pirate. While it’s deliciously over-the-top and not remotely like this particular musical, I love it with all my heart and soul.

How could I not? It stars these two?!

Judy Garland “I Don’t Care” from In the Good Old Summertime!

June 28, 2019 By Joi Leave a Comment

Judy Garland was so talented it’s almost unsettling. Seriously – how can anyone possess that kind of voice, charisma, and energetic stage presence.

I’m as guilty of using the phrase “one of a kind” as anyone, but when it comes to Judy, I’m afraid I have to break it out again because it’s just so TRUE.

Her performance of I Don’t Care from In the Good Old Summertime isn’t one of her more famous performances but it’s certainly one of my favorites. She was just so beautiful and packed with personality.

One. Of. A. Kind.

(In the Good Old Summertime Trivia Below…)

In the Good Old Summertime Trivia

Judy Garland’s daughter, Liza Minnelli, appears in the final scene. She’s the little girl with Van Johnson and Judy Garland.
The legendary Buster Keaton was working as a gag writer at MGM when the film was made. He was asked if he could devise a way to break a violin that would be both comic and plausible. Keaton, naturally, came up with the perfect way for the violin to fall. The filmmakers, wisely, realized that Buster Keaton was the only one who would be able to execute it properly, so they cast him in the film!
Buster Keaton was also the mastermind behind the scene where Van Johnson wrecks Judy Garland’s hat. He coached Johnson on how to precisely play the scene.
This was the first MGM film Keaton appeared in since being fired from the studio in 1933.
The leads were originally intended for June Allyson and Frank Sinatra (instead of Van Johnson and Judy Garland). However, Sinatra was unavailable and Allyson had to drop out when she became pregnant.
The film’s working title was “The Girl From Chicago”.
Unlike most musicals, there is only one character that sings in the movie and it’s Veronica (Judy Garland).