In a cultural moment when both Rene Zellweger and Lady Gaga have both won Academy Awards by invoking the icon of singer-actress Judy Garland, it's time to give you the real thing; from her early years in the hardly-famous "Gumm Sisters" singing trio, to her rise up the ladder of Hollywood stardom with classic movie musicals like The Wizard of Oz and Meet Me in St. Louis, to her triumphant final act before tragically passing away at the age of 47.
In this special 99th birthday celebration, we uncover the life of showbiz legend Judy Garland (born Frances Ethel Gumm), who at barely five feet tall, established herself as a giant of the entertainment industry, and of the larger American culture.
Led by Grammy-nominated Wall Street Journal columnist Will Friedwald, our virtual exploration into the life and legacy of Judy Garland will include:
- The long and yellow brick road of Judy's career, from her rise to fame, to fall from grace to remarkable comeback as Vicki Lester in the 1954 movie A Star is Born and later career triumphs like the classic JUDY GARLAND SHOW on CBS TV in 1964-'65.
- Her personal life, from her ups and downs, follies and foibles, the men and marriages, and her three children.
- Video clips of Judy's greatest performances, which showcase her superhuman abilities as a singer and entertainer
- A discussion around why we still celebrate her life, image, sound, and fury, and why she still matters to millions of people — young and old — after her untimely passing in 1969