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In Celebration of the 10th anniversary of it's "Biography" series, A&E offers as one of it's centerpieces "Judy Garland: Beyond the Rainbow", a two-hour special. A&E has every reason to celebrate. "Biography", which started as a weekly hour in 1987 expanded to five nights a week in 1994 and became the cable networks signature series . "Biography: This Week", a Saturday presentation keyed to someone in the week's, and occasional specials are shown on Sunday's.... "Biography" has it's rewards. The Judy Garland profile is one of them. More than just any other performer, Garland mirrored most of the towering neuroses of this century. All were on display as- between bouts with drugs and at least one suicide attempt, not to mention five marriages- she made comeback after comeback, astonishing audiences and thrilling her more ardent fans. The secret was simple. Onstage, Garland delivered powerfully. As Ann Miller says Garland seemed to be enveloped in a special force field. Produced and narrated by Peter Jones, with a nod to John Fricke's book "Judy Garland: The World's Greatest Entertainer", the document provides a chronological and fairly thorough review . There are clips from her movies (some carrying the notice "radio synchronized recording") and from many of her recordings, one of which, her legendary Carnegie Hall concert, was the Grammy album of the year. There are interviews with friends and colleagues: Mickey Rooney, June Allyson, Margaret Whiting, Robert Stack, and composer Burton Lane. Her three children, Liza Minnelli, and Lorna and Joey Luft, are seen in archival tapes. Garland,... and her sisters were relentlessly pushed by their mother into show business. Several minor movies led to her getting the part of Dorothy in the "Wizard of Oz". Her life would never be the same. She became an invaluable studio property. Making perhaps three films a year, she was given medications, some for her weight, others so she could sleep or wake up. She had entered a destructive phase from which she would never recover. The final years would include a turbulent but often brilliant television showcase..."They literally worked her to death. She lost that sharp edge." Producer Norman Jewison said. She died in 1969, at the age of 47. |
A Splendid Anniversary Present For A&E By John J. O'Connor New York Times News Service
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Garland Lives in Cabaret Show By Ken Robeson
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Like Elvis, Judy Garland is an icon of American show biz. Unlike Elvis, Garland hasn't spawned a culture of impersonators. Enter Julie Sheppard. More precisely, reenter Julie Sheppard, who debuted in the 1990's version of her "Julie, Julie, Julie" cabaret show this weekend in the Celebrity Lounge at the Express. Actress-singer Sheppard's Garland act played to sold-out crowds and rave reviews 10 years ago in New York. Now, after 10 years off to raise a son, Sheppard has revived the show. Thursday's opener of a three-night series (shows tonight and Saturday) showed she didn't lose much during the layoff. "Julie, Julie, Julie" is a more theater piece than concert. It sets a scene from April 1961 in a small New York club, where a pianist is plying drinks with a music trivia contest. From the rear, clad in full-length mink, comes a women we all recognize as Garland. The singer, just passing the time, cozies up to the star-struck pianist, who conveniently knows all her arrangements. For the next 75 minutes, we witness Garland's charismatic personality and musical style- chatting and singing show tunes. In the powerful climax she belts out "Chicago," then croons an emotional "Through the Years." The power of Sheppard's performance is the way she captures Garland's moods, mannerisms and nuances. Judy Garland lives on in our video culture, singing, acting and dancing on screens in America's living rooms. Sheppard's show allows a more intimate glimpse of the legend. Just don't ask her to sing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." Showing respect, she lets that song rest with her idol. Some things are just too sacred to reproduce. |
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Mary Pickford, "America's Sweetheart" in one of the prettiest pictures she has ever appeared in, entitled, "Thru, the Back Door." A two reel comedy, "Motor Mad," completes the program. Special for Friday night; the three Gumm children in songs and dances; featuring "Baby Frances" two years of age. |
Judy's First Press Release At the New Grand
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Created and Designed by Rebekah Hurth - August 9, 1997 |
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Last Major Update January 13, 1999 - Check FrancesGumm.com For Most Recent Updates |
