MovieChat Forums > Life with Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows (2001) Discussion > They shoulda kept Tammy Blanchard throug...

They shoulda kept Tammy Blanchard through 'Meet Me In...

posted 14 years ago by saturns1stmoon
7 replies | jump to latest

...St. Louis'.

She was so amazing. I felt like I was actually watching Judy Garland.

I know that Judy Davis was the big headliner for this movie, but honestly, it looked pretty ridiculous watching Davis' haggard face in that Esther wig knowing how much more appropriate Tammy would have been.

After seeing what a gem they had in Blanchard, I figured they'd have rerouted things a bit to make a better & more believable biopic.
But I suppose agreements had been made yadda yadda yadda...

Don't get me wrong, Davis was excellent as Judy during her later strung out junkie years, I mean, she really had that down. She looked & acted EXACTLY like Garland. & let's face it, Judy Davis pretty much always looks like a recovering heroin addict as it is.

I they had just left Tammy in for the full first half of the movie, it would have been a far superior production.
The apparent ass-kissing the producers gave Davis heavily marred this movie.

[–] Grinnygog 14 years ago

I completely agree. When they cut to Judy Davis (who I also adore) doing "The Trolley Song", they really lost me! I mean, it was quite a jarring moment - it takes awhile to get back into the movie. I think they made a grave mistake not keeping Tammy through MMISL. I doubt we'll ever have another opportunity to have Judy's life portrayed by 2 more actors so identical to her in the future. I feel like they really missed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have THE definitive film of Judy's life. I've only watched the film once, and so often want to watch it again, but knowing what's coming I just can't bring myself. It really troubles me to this day!

[–] brendanchenowith 11 years ago

I always objected to that shot. In fact, when I first saw the movie, I shouted WHAT when it cuts to Davis. The commentary reveals it was a difficult decision, as Garland was still MGM young and her voice hadn't changed yet, but the rationale was she was involved with Vincente Minnelli and the producers thought it would have been confusing to have Tammy Blanchard meet and marry him, then segue to Davis living with him and divorcing him.

I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness, starving hysterical naked.

[–] richspenc 7 years ago

I think that they should've kept Tammy in as Judy in all of the scenes until 1950 when she was fired from MGM, the scene in the bar where that drunk harrasses her and she meets Sid Luft. Judy Davis looked way older than Judy Garland looked through all of her MGM years.

[–] Wendy88 11 years ago

Mmm, agreed. Unfortunately, the producers wanted Davis to come in even earlier! But Davis refused, and said she wouldn't do the project otherwise. Such a missed opportunity, because Blanchard still looked identical to her in her Meet Me In St Louis era. Still, I think Judy Davis pulls it off pretty well for a woman in her mid-late 40s playing the role of a lovesick adolescent. Her movements are pitch-perfect and her energy is on-point. I think it's just jarring seeing her in that girlish costume . Overall, both performances are brilliantine though, and this unusually-cast segment is a small blemish on the film as a whole.

FYC: http://i46.tinypic.com/14j11k9.png

[–] hilljayne 11 years ago

Davis should've come in as Garland during 'The Pirate' scene. 'They help me....'

Dammit Carol Sue, where is the vodka?!

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