Judy Garland: A Portrait in Art & Anecdote (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Lorna Luft (Author) "Judy Garland often included Noel Coward's "If Love Were All" in her latter-day concert and television repertoire..." (more)
Key Phrases: man that got away, greatest entertainer, Judy Garland, New York, Roger Edens (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Fricke nicely balances his tribute to Garland, placing a positive spin on her at times self-destructive behavior yet still accurately portraying her frailties. Garland's daughter Lorna Luft establishes a loving tone with her touching introduction, proclaiming Garland a wonderful parent. Fricke (The Wizard of Oz: The Official 50th Anniversary Pictorial History) chronologically covers the star's radio, film, TV and stage history (from the 1920s through the '60s) via superb, previously unpublished photographs, illuminating vignettes and blurbs from affectionate interviews. There she is at age two, sporting an adorable pixie haircut; another shot shows her performing in one of hundreds of vaudeville shows she appeared in through age 13. Fricke meticulously analyzes The Wizard of Oz and the increasing pressure that resulted in Garland's drug addiction. Brief references to unhappy affairs with Joseph Mankiewicz, Tyrone Power and Artie Shaw are secondary to Fricke's thesis: that Garland was not about tragedy, but about talent and an ability to survive any obstacle. Glamorous b&w images of Garland belting out a tune from Meet Me in St. Louis in 1944 give way to more garish shots of Garland at home with daughter Liza Minnelli in 1960. Fricke glosses over some harsher truths and only shows dark hints of Garland's instability, as in orchestrator Gordon Jenkins's statement, "Judy, like all great stars, is inclined towards moodiness." But he successfully shows readers why the star remains an immortal, cherished icon, and his comprehensive volume belongs on the shelf of everyone who loves Garland and the musical genre.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"A detailed look at more than just the Judy in the public eye." -- Bookloons.com

"Cozy up to what will undoubtedly be THE book to own for all you Garland fans." -- Metro Source

"If you’re a fan, you won’t put it down." -- San Diego Union-Tribune

"The ultimate celebration of the humor, talent, professionalism and artistry of the greatest performer of the 20th century." -- Rex Reed, New York Observer

"This is a beautiful piece of work that is a sincere tribute to an entertainer . . ." -- CelebrityCafe.com

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 324 pages
• Publisher: Bulfinch; First edition (October 13, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0821228366
• ISBN-13: 978-0821228364
• Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 11.6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #736,944 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars C'mon Get Happy, April 1, 2004

By	Katie (Cincy) - See all my reviews

John Fricke has really outdone himself! I got this book for a Christmas present and since then have become a HUGE Garland fan. This is a great book for any Judy fan or anyone who is interested in learning more about her. It doesnt go way into her life and talk about one subject for 10 pages. It shows you a more personal side of Judy Garland, coming from those who loved her the most. There are alot of good stories, many told by Margret Whiting,the false teeth story is funny. There are quotes on what people thought of her as a entertainer and as a person. Not only are there great stories and quotes there are magnificent pictures. Pictures you cant find anywhere else. There are some great candids of Judy just throwing her head back in laughter. Very nice concert shots, that just give us a glimpse of her fabulous energy. There are even a few unretouched photos as well. Then there are the pictures of her with her kids, you can just see the love shining in her eyes. The last 10 pages of pictures and quotes are so powerful that I at least have to mention two of the pictures. The one of her rose covered coffin being carried down some street in New York, the reporters, the tons of fans that all lost some one, not just a celebrity but some one they thought of as a friend. Then there is the very last page of the entire book, an audience applauding and Judy getting ready to take a bow. Very powerful last page. This book isnt pne that is going to sit on your bookshelf and collect dust. But it is one that will be sitting on your coffe table. The one you look at almost everyday and never get tired of.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best New Judy Garland Book, October 6, 2003

By	Kenneth J. Berube (Boston, MA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

my eyes are still sore from studying all the brand new images that have never been seen before of Judy. i really like the candid behind the scenes shots that capture Judy just being herself. this book is well worth it's weight, and i do mean weight for it weighs a ton, in gold. it is what every one will want on their coffee table this fall. it shows Judy from the 1920's broken up into decades all the way to 1969 when we lost her. but in reading this book i feel that i haven't really lost her at all. she is all there on the glossy glammershot pages and the quite home with the kids pages. i have come to find that anything John Fricke's name is attached to is going to be a HIGH QUALITY product. you can't go wrong with the Fricke name and Garland put together. this book makes me fall in love with Judy all over again. makes me want to put on her movies and listen to her music again. i will forever treasure this book.

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant, December 24, 2003

By	David H. Rubin (Portland, OR USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I read all the other reviews posted here prior to purchasing this book, and was curious as to how I would respond to this book. I have read everything that has been written or done on Garland, and this far outshines all the others. This is not a tired rehashing of the same old stories. It is a loving tribute that allows Garland's genius to shine through. My partner has always patiently tolerated my love of Judy--after looking through this book, he said that he finally could see what the hubbub is all about. Now THAT's an achievement.