News

September 2002

80th Anniversary Meeting

We'd like to thank everybody who supported the Club's eightieth anniversary celebrations in May 2002. The weekend was a huge success, attracting considerable publicity and members from all over the world: the United States, Australia, Denmark, Germany, Belgium and Japan.

The press release that announced the event promoted Garland's career highlights in England and proudly highlighted the Club's achievements since Judy's death in 1969. An excerpt from the audio recording of her visit to a Club meeting in 1964 was broadcast on national BBC radio. A five-minute segment about the Club aired throughout the United States and included interviews with Club members including Gwen Potter, Maggie Miles and Bill Earl.

Almost half of the audience at the National Film Theatre double-bill were non-Club members. Everybody was invited to join and purchase copies of the Rainbow Review. New Yorker Frank DeGregorie enthused: 'To see Judy on the big screen is always exciting, but to see her in a theatre filled with people who are there especially because of her is really exciting.' Carol Hays also made the trans-Atlantic trip and observed that it was 'the first time I'd ever been in a group where every single person felt touched by the greatness that was (and still is) Judy Garland.

I loved hearing the personal memories of those who attended the meeting when Judy came. Their memories in the Rainbow Review have been great but to actually see their faces when they remembered - what a powerful emotion. Attending a club meeting has been, to me, sort of like experiencing Judy. You can read about her, hear her; but you need to be there in person to understand all the excitement and energy that was Judy. That excitement and energy was in abundance at the 80th Anniversary meeting. I look forward to coming back.'

The festivities were supported by a host of honoraries and stars, including Lorna and Liza, who both sent messages of support. Lorna's offering was particularly uplifting: 'I am extremely pleased at all the work The Club is doing: that amazing magazine and all the other projects in which so many people are ensuring that my mother's legacy is being kept alive. And this is a happy anniversary year for her, although we are NOT going to mention That Number of years because she would REALLY hate that. She would go ballistic!'

Ken Sephton, one of our senior Club members and an endless source of information and support offered: 'What an absolutely wonderful weekend. Many, many thanks to all of you again as the Club goes onwards and upwards as a worthy tribute to Judy's name and fame. We've never had a Club event so totally enchanting and successful. My only concern is how on earth do we follow that?'

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Rainbow Review 29

The next Rainbow Review will be an 80th anniversary collector's edition capturing for posterity the events over the May 2002 weekend. Gary Horrocks has already started work compiling a set of over 100 VERY rare Judy photographs to accompany the text. The issue will include the original press release for the event, film notes from the National Film Theatre double bill (including John Fricke's contextual overview of 'The Harvey Girls' and comments from film maker and historian Tony Sloman on the work of director George Sidney) and a transcript of John's celebratory talk 'Joy of Judy'. The full text of all the supportive messages sent from Club honoraries, celebrities and senior Club members will also be included and provide a unique insight and perspective on Judy as a person. There are statements from: Lorna Luft, Liza Minnelli, Deborah Kerr, Deanna Durbin, Richard Attenborough, Laurie Holloway, Bruce Jenkins, Ronald Neame and Peter Delaney, to name but a few. There are so many great moments to share with members who couldn't attend the event. Club founder Lorna Smith's attendance caused a welcome stir and the champagne reception saw long-term Club members mingling with new generations of Judy lovers. Kathryn Leach, Ronnie Smith and Gary Horrocks, at Brian Glanvill's benevolent instigation, lunched with actress Jane Horrocks - who generously spent her Sunday afternoon helping us celebrate. Everybody who was at the May meeting is invited to share his or her memories with Gary (see the Club contacts page at the back of Rainbow Review n28) to ensure that this wonderful event is preserved in print. Pictorially the issue will be well worth your subscription. If you haven't sent in your renewal cheque, please do so to ensure that you receive a copy of the next magazine. Gary produces the entire Review on his own, so please be patient about the publication date. He is aiming for completion of this wonderful new issue by Christmas.

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Urgent Renewals Reminder

Renewals for the period 2002/2003 have been alarmingly slow this year. We have a total of 137 outstanding - 56 UK, 68 USA and 13 overseas. We cannot produce the Rainbow Review or plan any future activities without timely renewals - so we would be most grateful if you could renew as soon as possible. A copy of the 2002/2003 renewal sheet has been sent with every newsletter to all those who, according to our database, have yet to renew. Thanks for your support - without you there would be no Club and no funds to produce the Rainbow Review.

It might be worth reiterating at this point that your renewal fee is essentially a subscription to the Club journal - described as the primary publication about Garland's life and career. We want to ensure that the Review continues to be a source of intelligent analysis and rare photographs. Liza Minnelli and Lorna Luft both receive the magazine and have praised the Club's dedication to their mother's memory. Using US subscription rates as an example of our current financial commitments: $26 of the $30 US fee goes towards a subscription to two issues of the Rainbow Review and any Rainbow Newsletters. Nearly $10 of that amount is spent on postage alone. Of the remaining $4, fifty cents goes towards the annual contribution to Judy's flower fund that guarantees that fresh flowers are delivered on a monthly basis to Ferncliff cemetery. Additional monies go towards Club stationery like membership cards, notepaper and miscellaneous publicity mailings. Your subscription automatically confers membership to the Club that has bound together an international community of Garland devotees since 1963. It has a rich history and a legacy to be proud of, but is nothing without your contribution.

Without the income from the 137 outstanding subscription renewals we cannot produce a Review anything near the size or quality that we'd like in order to do Judy justice. We don't exist to make profit and your subscriptions are our lifeblood.

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United States Representative

The Club would like to thank Laura Pilot - who has stepped down as United States representative for The Judy Garland Club - for all her hard work. In a recent email she commented: 'I still love the club and all of you, and appreciate your work.' We are looking for a motivated and energetic member who would like to take on the role. It would not involve a huge amount of effort. You would be the key Club contact for new US members and would assist us with annual renewals. All you'd have to do is send us any incoming US cheques on a monthly basis, notifying us with an email when a new member joins or an existing member renews. We would then send out a welcome pack and magazine from the United Kingdom. The role could develop into a key publicity function, assisting us with promoting the Club to the North American media. We can't stress enough how important it is to have your support if we are to function efficiently, indeed survive into the next century.

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English Heritage

The Club actively has been supporting a campaign to establish a blue plaque outside Judy's final home at Cadogan Lane in London. The campaign, so near to completion, has floundered because the freeholder has insisted that Garland's time there was one of decline and that the nature of her 'demise' was not something to celebrate. We are doing everything we can to counter this jaundiced analysis and will continue to work with English Heritage to bring this project and labour of love to a logical and positive conclusion.

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Australian Amalgamation?

At the May meeting our proposal to amalgamate with the Australian Club was warmly welcomed by members. We are in discussions with Richard Leslie about appropriate mechanisms for putting this in place. He noted: 'I have shown the magazine to three of our Eastern States committee members and some of the local Perth members. Others I have spoken to on the 'phone and by email. They all love the magazine and some are in favour of an amalgamation.' The next issue of the Australian newsletter 'Rainbow Over Oz' will address the issue, with examples of articles from the Rainbow Review. Please send us your opinions and feedback on this potential merger. The issue will be raised at the AGM in October.

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Judy Garland: Princess of Oz

http://www.hollywoodmuseum.com

There have been a number of Judy 80th anniversary celebrations throughout the world. In June, the Hollywood Entertainment Museum announced an exhibition of Garland memorabilia. The exhibit, 'Judy Garland: Princess of Oz,' paid tribute with a collection of Milton Greene photographs, sheet music, posters, lobby cards and magazines. There were twenty rare Greene pictures including some taken in 1951 during Judy's Palace engagement.

A beautiful poster from the event will be auctioned at the Club meeting on October 20th. They were displayed throughout Hollywood. One newspaper proclaimed: 'Not over the rainbow but over the streets of Hollywood, way up high, many, many banners of a smiling Judy Garland fly. The legendary actress is suddenly a dominating figure in Tinseltown again. On street after street, a huge photo of Garland as Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz is draped from every lamppost.'

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Legends

www.pioneer-ent.com

A new DVD from Pioneer Entertainment was released in June 2002 in celebration of Judy's 80th anniversary. 'Legends' includes solos from some of Judy's guests and represents the sixth volume in The Judy Garland Show series. Pioneer announced: 'We believe you'll agree that these priceless moments of entertainment history ensure that future generations will always have vital proof of what made Judy Garland so loved in her lifetime and why she will be loved forever.' The DVD offers two hours of material from The Judy Garland Show including for the first-time on DVD Once In A Lifetime/I Feel A Song Coming On (Show 23), Rock A Bye Your Baby (Show 20), Make Someone Happy (Show 20), I'm Always Chasing Rainbows (Show 23) and The Man That Got Away (Show 23). There are also duets with Count Basie, Tony Bennett, Ray Bolger, Diahann Carroll, Jack Carter, Vic Damone, Bobby Darin, Lena Horne, Peggy Lee, Jack Jones, Ethel Merman, Liza Minnelli, Jane Powell, Martha Raye, Mickey Rooney, Barbra Streisand and Mel Torme. The release includes audio commentary, the photo gallery from previous DVD releases and a trivia quiz. Never-before-released outtakes include the 'Football Medley' and the 'Hollywood Bowl/electrocution' story (both from Show 14). There is also the incomplete 'Born In A Trunk' intended for Show 26. A key member of the team supporting the DVD project commented: 'Presenting Judy Garland's best moments is certainly a dream come true. Judy's energy and grace will always remain number one.' John Fricke and Steve Sanders provided Pioneer with liner notes and an onscreen Judy biography.

The remaining shows 11, 14, 20, 23 and 26 will be released eventually. Pioneer doesn't have access to complete quality copies of these tapes and, to their credit, won't release them on DVD until they do.

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Classic Judy Garland - The Capitol Years

http://judygarlandsongs.com/

Capitol will be releasing a new Judy double CD 'Classic Judy Garland - The Capitol Years 1955 - 1965' on September 24th, 2002. The CD can be ordered online or by calling call 1 800 647 7711 (UK: 001 800 647 7711). The website comes with a press release and biography and describes the collection as: the 'most comprehensive Judy Garland Capitol collection ever.' Highlights include: the singles 'Sweet Danger' and 'Comes Once In A Lifetime', 'I'm Old Fashioned' (an outtake from JUDY, only available on an elusive late 1980s CD reissue), 'Then You've Never Been Blue' (from ALONE and included on the recent twofer reissue), a couple of selections from THE LETTER - 'The Worst Kind Of Man' and 'The Red Balloon'. Other rarities include 'Do It Again' (outtake from the GROVE album) and 'Why Can't I?' (from JUDY TAKES BROADWAY). There are also alternates of 'I Could Go On Singing' and 'Don't Rain On My Parade' (the latter from the Judy/Liza Palladium tapes but interestingly not the version included in the Capitol 'One And Only' box set. The Maggie May EP is also included: 'The Land Of Promises', 'It's Yourself', There's Only One Union and 'Maggie May'. The album ends with Garland's definitive 'What Now, My Love?' While it's great to have the release, it'd be wonderful if Capitol would abandon this piecemeal approach and release a definitive career retrospective, with copious notes and rare photographs from the period. The Rainbow Review is a great source of anecdotes from fans fortunate enough to see Garland at work in the recording studio during this period.

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Judy and Liza Live At The Palladium

To tie in with the 80th anniversary celebrations and Liza's recent concert successes Capitol is also due to release the complete 1964 concert recording of Judy and Liza at the London Palladium. A revised release date - originally September 17th - will be announced shortly. The two-CD set promises to present the entire two-hour-plus concert 'for the first time ever - along with rare, never-before heard bonus material.' The press announcement stated: 'Judy Garland and Liza Minnelli may be the most famous mother-daughter team of all time, and this recording represents the only time they shared the concert stage as an official act. The show was performed only twice, both in November 1964, at this very famous hall, a venue that's identified with both ladies. Garland started the concert years of her career at this historic hall in 1951. This new release at last features the entire Judy-Liza act as it was originally presented, with mammoth medleys, solos and duets that brilliantly showcase two of the most loved performers of all time. A treasure-trove of rare, never-before heard material is on this set, including over a dozen songs cut from the original release, extended versions of others, and bonus tracks featuring Judy and Liza rehearsing for these legendary concerts. There are also new photos of this dynamic duo in action.' Judy sings some classic songs here - some for the first time - including: 'Just Once In A Lifetime', 'Maggie May', 'As Long As He Needs Me', 'Just In Time', 'It's Yourself', 'Smile', 'Never Will I Marry', 'Make Someone Happy', 'Joey, Joey, Joey', 'The Music That Makes Me Dance' and 'What Now, My Love?' The bonus tracks include rare piano rehearsals for the concert. A review will appear in the next Review - release date permitting.

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In Loving Memory Mark Harris

Spreading Judy-ism on the Internet since 1996

The Club is devastated to hear the news of the recent death of Mark Harris, who brought happiness to many Judy fans through his numerous Internet projects since 1996. He was always a great source of inspiration offering suggestions and encouragement to the Club. Only a few weeks ago - on top of considerable health problems and substantial Judy commitments - he enthusiastically offered to take on the role of Club representative in the United States. Mark was also hard at work collaborating with Steve Jarrett on an enhanced Judy website - judy-garland.org - in an effort to amalgamate all of their previous efforts. He emailed us with pride, listing all the latest web updates and promising that there would be a page about The Judy Garland Club. He was a selfless creature, and his intelligent and levelheaded adoration of Judy shone through in his moderation of Judy's email discussion forum 'The Judy List'. 'Though he struggled with serious illness and numerous health problems over the last few years,' said John Fricke, 'his dedication to Judy and her fans remained uppermost in his emotions, energies and activities from the very inception of "The List" in 1996.' His brother Matt shared: 'Judy Garland was Mark's Number One interest in his life, and he held a special place in his heart for all the friends that he made over the years. They were very special to him.' Mark's memorial service was held on Friday, August 9th, 2002 at the Brown-Wynn Funeral Home, North Carolina. A card was sent to Mark's mother Denny on behalf of all the Club members.

What's particularly heartbreaking is that, on top of this extensive repertoire of Judy activities, Mark was also planning to hold a Judy film festival at his local film theatre in Raleigh. He enthused: 'I would *love* to be able to get them to schedule a weekend for a Judy Film Festival. I think it would be a real treat to show Oz in the early afternoon for the kiddies, maybe I Could Go On Singing and/or A Star Is Born in the afternoon and close out with a holiday screening of Meet Me In St. Louis - the perfect Christmas film. Wouldn't it make for a wonderful ending to Judy's 80th Anniversary Year?' He also offered to help other groups set up similar initiatives across America. 'Can't have too many Judy Film Festivals, can you?' I never had the pleasure of meeting him face to face, but what a guy.

We send our love and best wishes to Steve Jarrett, who has taken over the baton in Mark's memory. He will need all our encouragement if he is to continue to build this excellent Internet tribute to Judy.

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judy-garland.org

http://www.judy-garland.org/

The new website is dedicated to Mark's memory. judy-garland.org originated as a collaboration between Mark and Steve (webmaster of the immensely popular The Live Performances website). The combined format will allow for more pictures, music and information as time goes by. The site works on a membership plan. Silver level members ($25) will receive a four colour T-shirt; Gold level members ($50) will get the T-shirt and a CD of rare Garland performances, including the 1951 Easter Parade radio play with Judy and Fred Astaire. All income will go towards supporting existing and new web content as well as maintaining The Judy List. Mark had hoped that the new site would become the 'digital hub' for Judy fans to get any and all information they need. He 'd also thanked Steve Jarrett for his generosity. 'It's really a great sacrifice that Steve is making, being willing to give up his independence and his own web identity that he's built up over the years and meld it with mine. It shows how Steve really is doing this for Judy (and her fans), just like me. So I thank him.' Steve Jarrett recently said in return: 'I hope and pray that I don't let Mark, Judy, or any single one of you, down.'

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The Pirate

http://www.rhinohandmade.com/

The Club is looking forward to the audio release of this classic on CD and would like to thank our new honorary member George Feltenstein for all his hard work. The soundtrack will include pre-recordings, including the original and deleted versions of 'Mack The Black,' 'Voodoo,' and 'Love Of My Life' and the five Roger Edens demos of the Porter score.

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The Harvey Girls

This release was mentioned in Rainbow Review 28, but John Fricke's rapturous review deserves coverage here, if only to make you all drop what you are doing and go out and buy it. 'I don't know who should be credited with the quality of the product, but whether it was Ned Price and Company (who so brilliantly handled A STAR IS BORN), or George Feltenstein, or myriad other minions (or a combination thereof), it's work that inspires words/phrases like glorious, crystal clear, beautifully "real" and natural in picture quality...and they've made the movie look like it was shot yesterday. (If, yesterday, they were still making movies with such style, colour, flair, and taste) It's remarkably remastered...yet it looks fresh and new and totally unenhanced. I did a spot check between this and the heretofore-excellent laser disc from the Garland box set...and the clarity and muted-but-bright hues and the "presence" of picture and sound are remarkably better on DVD. Even the visual sections of "My Intuition" that seemed muddy before (and which I thought were irretrievable in better condition) are now pristine. So I repeat: buy buy buy. And support, encourage, talk up, promote. If we're to get any further, future Garland titles, I would think that the success of this one is essential. And many, many thanks to all responsible for such a dazzling treat.'

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Judy In Celebration

repiro@judybook.com

Rita E. Piro's new book is due for release in October 2002. It is a 'celebratory photo retrospective of the life and career of the great singer and actress that features more than 230 rare and unique photos, most never before published. Included are candids from the MGM sets, home and family photos, in person appearances, photos with international and national dignitaries and celebrities, television appearances, as well as photos of Judy performing in concert in such places as Paris, London, Las Vegas, New York, Miami and Long Beach. Each photo carries a detailed description. A heart-warming recap of a wonderful life.' Paperback: 208 pages. Publisher: Great Feats Press; ISBN: 0970626134.

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Judy Garland: The Day-By-Day Chronicle Of A Legend

Scott Schechter's book was published earlier this year and a review will appear in the next Rainbow Review. 'It's hard to imagine that there could ever be a more obsessive detailing of Garland's life than this day-by-day listing that brings new meaning to the word minutiae,' observed one critique. 'There seems to be no detail too small or insignificant to escape Schechter's forensic-like attention to all things Judy. A $15.97 receipt from Lord & Taylor for a new hat (December 12, 1968) merits the same amount of space as the night (March 30, 1955) a camera crew was set up in her hospital room (the day after giving birth to her son) to record her Best Actress Oscar acceptance speech for A Star Is Born (she wound up losing to Grace Kelly). Given that this is a quotidian chronology, some entries are banal (numerous dates just note checks Garland wrote that day), but as anyone who has ever read a Garland bio knows, she didn't lead a dull life.' There are 80 black and white photos. Hardcover: 416 pages. Publisher: Cooper Square Press; ISBN: 0815412053

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Judy Garland 2003 Calendar

A 2003 Judy calendar is available to order online. It is published by Brown Trout. ISBN: 0763157473.

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September 11th

The anniversary of last year's tragic events in the United States would have passed by the time you receive this newsletter. One of thousands of poignant stories that arose from the media coverage came during the History Channel's 'Relics from the Rubble' that reported on the detritus deposited in the towers during building in 1969. One item that survived was the New York Times cover story of June 23 1969 announcing Judy's death.

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Publicity Drive

The Club is keen to ensure that we are given maximum exposure in Judy's 80th year and a significant campaign was organised to coincide with the May weekend. We would be delighted if you could all help us out. Would you consider placing a small advertisement in your local newspaper? A simple statement: 'The Judy Garland Club, celebrating the life and career of Miss Show Business' would suffice, with the Club web address and contact details. Or, if you are a member of any other relevant clubs or societies, place an ad in their newsletter. Every little bit helps - so please support us.

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Elaine Stritch At Liberty

Broadway Legend Elaine Stritch is coming to London's Old Vic theatre for forty performances starting October 1st. She will be telling anecdotes from her career including recounting hilarious evenings with Judy. The Box Office number is: 020 7369 1722

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Coming In 2003

The committee is particularly proud to see the Club that Judy blessed and supported going from strength to strength, offering fans and admirers from all over the world the opportunity to celebrate her life and work. There is always more work to be done. If you can help us in any way we would be grateful. Do you have any interesting Judy photographs, memories and press cuttings to share with us? Are your friends Judy fans and Club members? If not, treat them with a subscription in time for Christmas.

As a final teaser: there are some wonderful Judy projects in the pipeline that hopefully will come to fruition next year. We will announce them as soon as we can, but be prepared to smile from ear to ear when you get the news.

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