MovieChat Forums > Judy (2019) Discussion > Missing pieces

Missing pieces

posted 5 years ago by merkin64 (122)
13 replies | jump to latest

I know that this was not a standard cradle to grave biopic, but I did feel that some elements were missing. We get flashbacks of Judy during the Wizard of Oz period, when we see being bullied by LB Meyer. We also see the constant plying her with drugs to control her appetite. The film implies that this was the peak of her career. By the 1950s, she was still a big star. Garland starred in the second version of A star is born in 1954, and was nominated for Best Actress. Apparently, she lost to Grace Kelly and took that loss very badly.

[–] Vastuntitled (5460) 5 years ago

I enjoyed the movie and Zellweger’s performance, but I also thought it was missing something...granted, I don’t know much about Garland and the events take place before my time, but the story made it appear she was just a burnout who damaged her rep a bit, when, actually, she was still a huge star....at least that what I took from it after checking with older fans who know about her....timeline issues and context always seem to come up with these biopics....

[–] ProductionNow (1072) 5 years ago

Garland's comeback was supposed to be 1967's Valley of the Dolls, but was fired during production. She was burned out (as you say) by this time and hadn't made a film since 1963, and only a few films in the 10 year-period before that.
(Valley of the Dolls' star Patty Duke frequently spoke about her experience with Garland on the set)

[–] Vastuntitled (5460) 5 years ago

Interesting, thanks for the info...

I suppose I should clarify what I meant...after watching the movie, it made it seem like she peaked with the Wizard of Oz, which was made when she was very young...by not being totally familiar with Garland’s story, maybe my perception of her career is incomplete, but I thought after Wiz, her star continued to rise and it did so for several years...probably need to read up on it more, or please, feel free to educate me...I will check out the references you offered, great stuff, thanks...

[–] ProductionNow (1072) 5 years ago

Your welcome..the interesting thing is A Star is Born (1954) was also comeback of sorts and a high career peak, but followed by a decade of slow-activity

With Valley of the Dolls, she had a difficult time leaving her dressing room. Duke sympathizes with Garland waiting in her dressing room all day until her scenes were to be shot, adding to her anxiety with no help from the director, which then led her to alcohol.

[–] Vastuntitled (5460) 5 years ago

Thanks ProductionNow, that’s why you’re a good poster and a great human being....lol

Just saw there’s a Showtime documentary about Garland, based on her husband’s unearthed diary after his death...think I’ll take a look...thanks again....

[–] ProductionNow (1072) 5 years ago

.. welcome, Vastuntitled

[–] [email protected] (1732) 5 years ago

I don't agree that the film depects "Oz" has the "highlight of her career, for heaven's sake. It is showing
this as the BEGINNING of her stardom, and where her real pressures began. This film is focused on
that last phase of Garland's life, and in a two hour movie, one cannot cover Garland's incredible career.

And, no, "Valley of the Dolls" was not SUPPOSED to be Garland's big comeback. She was cast in the
horrible turkey in a supporting role, and thank GOD she didn't do the film, and it can be happily
said this lame film is not on Garland's film resume.

Lastly, Garland wasn't just a film star. She was a stage and recording legend. It hardly mattered that
she hadn't done a film in several years, as she was still performing n sold-out concerts in the mid
1960's. Today, it's commonplace for film stars, especially older actors, to go years without films.

Garland's last major comeback was in the summer of 1967 when she did a sold-out, four-week stint
at the Palace in New York.

[–] Vastuntitled (5460) 5 years ago

Hey, thank for the info, Bennett!

“Lastly, Garland wasn't just a film star. She was a stage and recording legend. It hardly mattered that
she hadn't done a film in several years, as she was still performing n sold-out concerts in the mid
1960's.”

That’s what I thought, also, but because of my lack of knowledge concerning Garland, I probably didn’t put it as clearly in my responses throughout this thread as you did...as I said, not an expert on Garland’s life and career, but recently for some reason (don’t know why), I’ve been on an old music/music biopic kick and been eating up a bunch of movies and you tube clips/songs....learning about Garland, and say, a Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Ray Charles— their respective stories are interesting, so I thank you for adding to the discussion that gives me some perspective...

I’m not going to argue about the script, I concede that it’s difficult to include everything in a relatively short amount of screen time...but for people like me who aren’t totally familiar with Garland’s story, we must be careful and not necessarily receive it like a history professor breaking down the facts step by step; there are going to be artistic liberties taken by the director in a project of this scope...

Still, I enjoyed the movie and I liked Zellweger’s performance....that’s still possible even if you don’t know the subject...ah, the beauty of films...

Again, thanks for the info Bennett, i have plenty to look into and read about, that’s why I really like these boards, and hated when IMDb pulled the plug on this shyt...but I like this new space— at the end over at IMDb, it was a getting little ugly and uncivil at times...seems cool here

[–] [email protected] (1732) 5 years ago

I have been a Garland fan for over 40 years. But I, like you, also try and reach out to study
and learn about different artists. There are so many great people. And, yes, both Cline
and Ray Charles were terrific talents.

Back to Garland: Many people who are learning about her, want to hear her voice at its best.
If you have time, go to Youtube and listen to some songs from "Judy at Carnegie Hall." I
also recommend it at least one listen to the 1945 Decca recording of Judy's "If I Had You." The
purity and beauty of her voice will astonish you.

[–] Vastuntitled (5460) 5 years ago

Thanks for recs Bennett...I’ll check em out...

[–] heyteegs (1207) 4 years ago

Of course, I love the Carnegie Hall album bit Garland At The Grove is my personal favorite.

[–] felipe25 (10) 4 years ago

I think we only see the flashbacks from The Wizard of Oz to understand what she's been through. They probably assumed that people going to see this movie would already be aware of her success and relevance, so they didn't see the need to emphasize that.

[–] L1 (1316) 4 years ago

Just let it go bro!