The Little Girl with the Great Big Voice
The Little Girl with the Great Big Voice
The childhood and early career of Judy Garland
audio – visual presentation and performance
Judy Garland’s most memorable performances include Carnegie Hall, The Palace Theatre, a television series, countless films and recordings and of course her iconic role as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. How did a little girl named Frances Gumm from Grand Rapids, Minnesota find her way to Hollywood and immortality?
Producer, Vocalist Rob Dorn explores Garlands early career from two year old scene stealer to MGM star with all the thrills, happiness and heartache that went with it. Includes archival film footage, rare recordings and images. I also offer a handful of vocal performances myself.
Judy, Chicago and an Historic Moment
Judy, her sisters and Mother traveled to Chicago in 1934 to find work not only at the Worlds Fair, but at the thriving vaudeville and live performance venues. Three of those theatre engagements show their transition from “The Gumm Sisters” to the “GARLAND sisters.”
When they filled in for an act at The Oriental, George Jessel who was headlining suggested they change their name to Garland after his introduction of them as “The Gumm Sisters” got a laugh from the audience. After The Oriental they weren’t quite ready to officially change their name until the Marbro Theatre billed them as “The GLUM Sisters!” Oops! So this was the push perhaps that made them go with Jessels suggestion because when they appeared at The Uptown, they were now billed as “The GARLAND Sisters.”
Video Clips
The clip below is from Babes in Arms. It is part of the Opera vs. Swing production number she did with Mickey Rooney and Betty Jaynes. In the number, Betty sang an operatic rendition of the pop tune, “You Are My Lucky Star” and Judy returns the favor with a swing version of a song from the classic Opera, “The Barber of Seville.”
Below is a video montage of images from Judy Garland’s early career from Child Vaudevillion to MGM star. Featuring images of important people in her life including her parents and sisters. The audio is taken from a performance of “Thanks For The Memories,” which she sang on The Gulf Screen Guild Show in 1939.
Special thanks to Scott Brogan (www.thejudyroom.com) and Charles W. Triplett (The Judy Garland Experience) for their generosity, inspiration and support.