Customer Reviews

Heartbreaker: Two Months With Judy Garland

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

You will discover much about the latter-day Judy Garland
from John Meyer's book, actually a diary, about the legendary
performer. The only false note is the frequent sexual aspect
of it. It is improbable that the sexually ambiguous Meyer, (...),"screwed" the star. Everything else seems vivid and true and puts you there with Meyer and
Garland, as a "fly on the wall." It is a well-written diary
that will surely offend the diva-worshippers who wouldn't want

to know about Judy's appalling habits, i.e. kleptomania, selfishness, gulping pills and booze, and "two-hour make-up jobs." On the plus side, it offers us a close-up glimpse at a very, very sharp-witted and funny woman. Looking back at this
brief "affair" of the late-60s, you get a pang of sadness that
the ambitious Meyer never made it as songwriter. If you've
heard his songs, "I'd Like to Hate Myself in the Morning," or
"After the Holidays," you will understand why. His music
is middling to awful, and his only claim to fame will be his
Judy book, one of many, many, many written by husbands,
friends, associates, professional writers and fans. This one
is excellent in that you'll find out things you didn't know,
as opposed to rehashing the usual well-documented trivia.

I have read every book written about the amazing Judy Garland. I happen to love this book. (For Garland fans who idolize Judy and feel she could do no wrong, this is not the book for you.) This book is the story of a 30-something struggling songwriter, living with his parents who makes a living playing show tunes in local New York piano bar. He also composes music, writes lyrics and has a pet project, a script for his play called "The Draft Dodger." New York is filled with thousands of hopefuls just like him. What makes his story extraordinary is how he graduated from stuggling hopeful to (minor)celebrity in less than two months simply because of a chance meeting with Judy Garland. In the fall of 1968, Judy Garland was at her lowest point: she had no money, she was heavily in debt to the IRS for back taxes, she couldn't get a booking because her music arrangments were being held until she paid money she owed, her dependence on prescription drugs was worsening, her former husbands, lovers, and even her children had abandoned her because of her erratic behavior created by the drugs, and her health was declining. One of the fans/hangers-on who surrounded Judy during this period was going to plan a new show with new songs so Judy could work again, and decided John Meyer might have some suitable material. On the night he met Judy, Meyer was so enthralled with her that they snuck out of the fan's home (while the fan was in the shower) had dinner together and spent the night together at Meyer's parents home. ... This is a fascinating story, written in a diary style format, which indeed gives the impression of reading someone's private diary. I have spoken with Garland fans who knew Judy, Meyer and Deans during this period of time and was told that Meyer's story is quite accurate. Most telling through all of this is that Judy, although at her lowest point, was telling funny stories, laughing and enjoying herself despite such adverse conditions. This is a book you won't easily forget! As a footnote, Meyer later dated singer Margaret Whiting (who knew Judy) and she made positive comments regarding their relationship.

When a legend in her decline hitches up with a cocktail pianist with ambitions to be a songwriter there are sure to be fireworks. John Meyer met Judy Garland one night and they became lovers. She sings his song ("I'd Like to Hate Myself in the Morning") and he moves her into his parents' apartment. This is a cautionary tale of "Hollywood home invasion" that is a bittersweet companion peice to "Me and Jezabel" (Bette Davis) and "Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool" (Gloria Grahame) which cast superstars as domestic pests. Sadly the last chapters descend into bathos and self pity when the songwriter comes down with the flu and the legend moves on to her next husband. Not for those Garland fans who won't hear a word against their idol.

I finally bought a copy of this book - and it is disturbing to read. Judy Garland's body and brain were shorting out from the excess of pills (speed) and alcohol she was consuming in 1968 - but she was still trying to live life to the fullest: experiencing new things, seeing new places, meeting new people. The pills scrambled her thoughts and made her act irrational at times - but she still went on! Meyer gives us a first hand account of this period of Judy's life: it is sad, happy, shocking, and quite interesting. I remember seeing Judy on TV during this period of time: Mike Douglas Show, then Merv Griffin, Johnny Carson. She seemed to be getting worse and worse. I remember thinking: What is going on with Judy? She seems confused. Now I know what was going on - thanks to this book. In closing - let me say this - even at her worst (Merv's appearance was quite something, as I remember) - I loved Judy - what a brilliant talent! - I wish she was still with us.

The only problem I had with this book was actually believeing some of the stories that this author shares about his experience with Judy Garland, some of it comes off as Tabloid in nature while at other moments it is very heartfelt and affectionate.

John Meyer writes about the two months that he spent as Judy Garland's manager, lover, friend and supporter. Being in love with Judy Garland is not an easy thing - ask any of her five husbands. She was demanding, mercurial, insecure and terrified of abandonment. Meyer, as so many others before him, fell in love with the Legend, and woke up with the woman.

Judy does not come off well here but, it must be said, neither does Meyer. The back of the book indicates that his version of their story is devoid of self-pity. I must disagree. He had it within his power to walk away at any time, but he stayed, and now whines about it. He doesn't understand how anyone could not love her, but complains about her (admittedly infuriating) habits incessantly.

Meyer's claim to fame is the fact that he wrote two fairly forgettable songs that Judy sang near the end of her life "I'd Like to Hate Myself in the Morning" and "It's All For You." He now has this book, and a website devoted to the two months that he and Judy spent together. There's an unfortunate whiff of opportunism here, I'm afraid.

This book is terible wriiten, We have an insight to Judy as a caring person In some ways. Unfortuantly as One other reviewer put it, this book IS just someone telling the world that he had sex with Judy Garland, IF that is in effect true, there is actually no evidence that anything between the two happened.

If you do buy this book, )but personally I would say dont waste your money) read it with an open mind.

but its not a good book, another terrible attempt to tarnish our legend!

I have read almost all the biographies written about Judy Garland and would rank this the absolute worst. It could be subtitled "I screwed Judy Garland and I want to tell the world." The only earthly purpose this book possibly serves is to make the author feel like a celebrity and to wash his dirty linen in public. Even if everything he writes is true, he is barely a blip on the lifeline of Ms. Garland. It's not even well written.

I am one of those fans that understand that Judy had her good days and bad days and accept the good as well as the bad about my favorite person. This book was nothing but a way for John Meyer to say that he "screwed" (to put it lightly) Judy in a hospital bed. It's a shame that people feel that they need to make up stories to make them look better and even make money off of it. The book is only interesting if you're into reading explicit details about sex between two people but who knows if it even happened. Other books about Judy do not even mention that she had a relationship with this man. Anyway, read it if you want but take it with a HUGE grain of salt.