Customer Reviews

Judy Garland: The Day-by-Day Chronicle of a Legend

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

This book was never meant to be a "biography" in the tradional sense - nor is it meant to be an examination of the Garland psyche.

It is simply what the title says it is: A Day by Day chronicle of Judy's life. Everyone knows she was a workhorse - especially at MGM. This book shows that and more.

No, this book is not for the "new to Garland" people who want to read a bio about her - it's more for people who enjoy perusing through raw data and seeing not just how much Judy worked, but also just how "anal retentive" MGM was in keeping track of her every move. ESPECIALLY when she was labeled as "difficult."

It's great to read the long entries that have details about various milestones in her life, and it's also a great "quick reference" guide for those fans who want to find data easily (and don't have to wade through some biographer's personal opinions about that data).

If you don't like reading that she was late on a particular day while filming "Meet Me In St. Louis" - then fine - skim over than and concentrate on the lengthy and detailed entries.

I for one am glad Scott put this book out - and from what I have read, it could have been several hundred pages more (too bad it isn't). Scott has put the data out there for all to see and form their own opinion on Judy's career.

Forget all of the nasty posts/reviews - this is simply a record of her life/career in (as stated above) raw data form.

A fun book for Garland fans and fans of old Hollywood. So, put on one of the new CD's of Garlands Capitol albums and page through this book and simply have fun!

Thanks Scott for putting all of this data in one easy reference point!

This book is a must-have for Judy fans. That's a given.
But be careful about a quick dismissive flip through the pages. This is, among other great things, a key reference book for collectors.
If you want to know about a particular song Judy sang and whether a recording exists, the Song Index in this book will lead you to the answer.
If you want to know if a particular radio show or concert was recorded, this book will tell you where to find it or will confirm that it exists in private collections.
If you want to know when and where Judy sang with Vic Damone, for instance, this book will lead you to the time, the place and provide info. on available recordings.
A keepsake volume and handy reference tool for the very serious Judy collector.

I wasn't sure what to make of this when I bought it......a day by day chronicle. However, I was soon caught up and totally fascinated. Not only is this an important document on Judy Garland but it is an important document on stardom during the "Golden Age??!!" of Hollywood. Good Grief, they most certainly earned their keep. That was a tough, tough business.
It's interesting to note that as Judy became more popular MGM did seem to make an effort to make her call times on pictures a little later, realizing the early morning was not her best time.
I had to keep wondering at how very confusing it must have been to be tying up lose ends on one movie while beginning production on another adding to the initial confusion of the make-believe world of making movies. I got tired just reading about her day to day existence. I can't imagine what it must have been like to live such an existence and I can't imagine trading so much of myself for anything. Those that made it as "stars" must have had a deep, deep need to be able to sell themselves body and soul to their studios to be repaid in fame. I don't know......you can think about this and think about it but you have to wonder how so many actually survived this gruelling situation. It most definitely is to Judy's credit she attained the quality as well as the amount of work she produced in such a short lifetime.
This book offers a real understanding of the star system as well as Judy Garland's position in it and once and for all de-glamorizes the whole thing. Fascinating!

I loved this book. I have been a Garland fan all of my life. I have read almost everything written about her. Reading this book I found out things I didn't know. It's so interesting to follow Judy's path from great star to a woman that must live from friend to friend. At one point she even sang for $100 a night. I was totaly taken with this book. I couldn't help but be left with a profound sadness after I had finished. Judy was loved but just never was able to see it. Even though I knew she was going to die at the end I kept hoping she would get it together and come out on top. If you love Judy READ this book.

I agree with the other reviewers that Garland "deserves better," that this book lacks "visual depth" and so forth, but you have to hand it to Schecter for having the tenacity to gather as much a working "diary" of Judy than anything else ever assembled. Like all such day-by-day chronicles, this one is not literature, and at times can be boring. But you have to look at the whole--the woman WORKED. And NEVER STOPPED. And now you know why.

Yes, you can glean tidbits of gossip--my favorite was the $788 check Judy wrote to the local liquor store--but you can't beat this book's detail of her business dealings, or the excavation of Judy's very first movie still, published here, when she was a 7-year-old extra in a kiddie short.

Go ahead and hurl over this if you want. For Judy-philes, or anyone who wants to add texture to their knowledge of showbiz and the relentless effort it takes to stay on top, this "Judy Garland" deserves a space on your shelf.

Judy Garland: The Day-by-Day Chronicle of a Legend will take you on an amazing journey through an incredible life of one of our most treasured legends. Mr. Schechter accomplishes what no biography has before -- a complete and yet loving history that fans and music historians will both treasure for generations to come.

Schechter has done for Judy and Liza what Koeschel has done for Wolfgang. It's all here: the mood, the method, the magnificence, in two encyclopedic texts that detail the lives and good works of two of the most fascinating and talented women of our time and all the ages--the Fantastic Garland and her equally incredible Daughter Liza Minnelli. Schechter has not only written two great books, he has done the world a terrific service in collecting some of their TV appearances on DVDs that have given a permanent showcase to material that otherwise might have been gone and forgotten forever, to the great loss of us all. Colorful, informative, and fascinating, these two books on Judy and Liza, as well as the DVDs that constitute exhibits A-Z, should provide fans and would be admirers alike with endless pleasure and information, as they make an incalculably important and significant archival contribution to our heritage. Not to be missed. Martin Kantor, MD. Author of My Guy: A Gay Man's Guide to a Lasting Relationship and Together Forever: The Gay Man's Guide to Lifelong Love

Scott Schechter has done a fantastic job of exhaustively researching Judy Garland; so many details here. Overall, one finishes this impressive "encyclopedia" and wonders how one who was supposedly so "unreliable" accomplished so much in such a short lifespan. A definite must-have for Garland fans.

What a refreshing look at Judy's working life. Forget those nasty comments from the freaky fanatics. Author,Schecter after all, was much responsible for those fabulous award winning, hot selling DVDs of Garland's TV series. All who enjoy Garland, read the publishers review; don't delay deciding, get it whilst stocks last!

Everybody has the right to their opinion, but I liked this and I am glad I bought it. I thought it was interesting, but without pictures it could have been a bit dull. I decided to look up what she was working on the day I was born. Let's just say Easter Parade went up another couple of notches for me.