judy garland |
Judy Garland, born in 1922, signed with MGM In 1935. Supposedly, she signed her contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer without a screen test, although she had made a test for the studio several months earlier. In her early years at MGM, Judy was given mostly musical roles; singing and dancing. 'Cast-typing', during the Golden Era, was part of the Studio System/Star System used at MGM by Louis B. Mayer. In fact, after Judy sang "You Made Me Love You" at Clark Gable's birthday party in 1937, Louis B. Mayer agreed to cast Judy in her breakthrough role: Broadway Melody of 1938 (opened in 1937). In Broadway Melody, Judy sang this song (you made me love you) to a picture of Clark Gable: this was twofold for MGM: it promoted Judy's voice and Clark Gable's appeal.
Judy was a good singer and a good dancer: why shouldn't she act in musicals? - Louis B. Mayer's thoughts exactly! Although MGM had originally wanted to cast Shirley Temple in the Wizard Of OZ (1939), it was Judy Garland who scored the role. And the rest is, as they say, History! Judy would go on to act or star in 30 musicals throughout her career at MGM. Strategically, Louis B. Mayer, knew he could capitalize on Judy's 'grown-up' voice but 'child-like' looks. Her acting, however, wasn't taken that seriously. |
Judy Garland's Original contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
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MGM'S little "Hunch-back"
Louis B. Mayer, who was like a father figure to Garland, and all the stars at MGM for that matter, always referred to Garland as his "little hunch-back". Mayer oversaw the Star System, therefore he was arguably responsible for the overall exploitation of Judy Garland's career at MGM. Make no mistake, however, that Judy was no exception; Mayer treated all his stars the same, according to their level of importance, of course. Although Judy was as a popular actress, Mayer never considered Judy to be a STAR! In fact, Judy was often required to play roles in movies that she didn't like. She was, however, forced to act in these roles, regardless of her discontent. Judy's voice was valuable and sought after in most of MGM's musical production.
Because Judy spent a great deal of time in the public eye, she was constantly placed on diets which were regulated with the use of pills. Although some people argue it was Judy's mother who started Judy on diet pills, others argue that Judy's life-long drug habits started during her early days at MGM. Once more, in 1946, Judy was required back on set just two months after having given birth to her first child; Liza Minnelli. |
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judy vs. mgm
Judy had put up with a lot of scrutiny throughout her career at MGM. She was often compared to, and criticized by, other female stars in Hollywood. During filming for The Pirate, in April 1947, Judy suffered a nervous breakdown and was placed in a private sanitarium. In July, she made her first suicide attempt by making minor cuts to her wrist with a broken glass. Judy's downward spiral had started, and there was nothing MGM could do to save her. She was in and out of filming Annie Get your Gun, in 1951, when she was released, (more like FIRED) from her contract at MGM. Although she made a career "come-back" during the 50's, Judy's "prime years" as movie actress were spent at MGM studios. Judy would never forgive the bosses at MGM for this.
In 1967, two years before her death, Judy made this audio tape; it describes her feelings towards the "system"; how she feels about her early career and her years at MGM.
"I feel like I finally have something to say; if you like it, you like it. If you don't like it; then don't like it.
But you will not be able to take it lightly" - Judy Garland
But you will not be able to take it lightly" - Judy Garland