Tag: Judy Garland

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Trailer: Renée Zellweger In ‘JUDY’

The first trailer for the upcoming JUDY starring Renée Zellweger as Judy Garland.
(photo credit: David Hindley)

The first trailer for the upcoming JUDY starring Renée Zellweger as the iconic Hollywood star, Judy Garland.

“Everyone’s had their troubles…and I’ve had mine.”

Via press release:

Winter 1968 and showbiz legend Judy Garland arrives in Swinging London to perform a five-week sold-out run at The Talk of the Town. It is 30 years since she shot to global stardom in The Wizard of Oz, but if her voice has weakened, its dramatic intensity has only grown.

As she prepares for the show, battles with management, charms musicians and reminisces with friends and adoring fans, her wit and warmth shine through. Even her dreams of love seem undimmed as she embarks on a whirlwind romance with Mickey Deans, her soon-to-be fifth husband.

Featuring some of her best-known songs, the film celebrates the voice, the capacity for love, and the sheer pizzazz of “the world’s greatest entertainer.”

In theaters September 27.

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Trailer: Renée Zellweger In ‘Judy’

Renee Zelleweger as Judy Garland in “Judy”

As we approach Pride Month, we get our first look at Oscar winner Renée Zellweger as Judy Garland in Judy.

The official log line:

Winter 1968 and showbiz legend Judy Garland arrives in Swinging London to perform a five-week sold-out run at The Talk of the Town. It is 30 years since she shot to global stardom in The Wizard of Oz, but if her voice has weakened, its dramatic intensity has only grown.

As she prepares for the show, battles with management, charms musicians and reminisces with friends and adoring fans, her wit and warmth shine through. Even her dreams of love seem undimmed as she embarks on a whirlwind romance with Mickey Deans, her soon-to-be fifth husband.

Featuring some of her best-known songs, the film celebrates the voice, the capacity for love, and the sheer pizzazz of “the world’s greatest entertainer.”

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News Round-Up: March 19, 2018

Some news items you might have missed:

• I spent part of today getting my pretty girl pup Tyler checked out at the vet today (regular check-up). So this pic of vet student Aman (above) totally caught my eye. My vet doesn’t look like this at all. #WOOF

• Attorney George Leontire, who worked on the legal defense team for Aaron Hernandez, says in a new documentary his client was “clearly gay” adding, “I think that he also came out of a culture that was so negative about gay people that he exhibited some self-hatred.”

• Emmy Award winner and openly bisexual Cynthia Nixon has announced she will run against Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo in the Democratic primary later this year.

• Legislation has been launched which aims to prohibit “conversion therapy” in Ireland.

• Vice President Mike Pence was greeted during the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Savannah, Georgia, with lots of Pride flags raised in opposition to his anti-LGBTQ history.

• We get our first look at Renée Zellweger as Judy Garland for the upcoming bio-pic Judy from the BBC:

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Vintage Holiday Treat: The Full 1963 Judy Garland Christmas Show

What could make the holiday season more merry, gay and bright than the full Judy Garland Christmas Show from 1963?

Take the time to sit back and enjoy Judy with her children Liza Minnelli, Lorna and Joey Luft plus guests Jack Jones and Mel Tormé as they weave holiday magic with Yuletide favorites like “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town,” as well as “Little Drops of Rain,” “Over the Rainbow,” and more.

The Advocate has gathered a list of uber-gay holiday specials from artists like Dolly Parton, RuPaul, The Muppets, Liberace and more here.

Watch Judy and company below.

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Happy 95th Birthday Judy Garland

As the country prepares for the Equality March for Unity & Pride this weekend, it’s notable that Hollywood legend and gay icon Judy Garland, who inspired us with dreams of rainbows long before we took up the symbol for ourselves, would have turned 95 today.

As a young gay, I knew Garland was one of the LGBT world’s “high holies” in the pantheon of idols. I wasn’t the biggest fan, but I appreciated the talent.

Getting older as a gay man, as an artist in the theatre, AND as I learned to raise my voice as an activist, when I came across this clip from Judy’s 1960s TV show, I suddenly got it.

On December 13, 1963, Judy sang “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” in honor of the recent death of President John F. Kennedy.

Garland and Kennedy were friends and she had campaigned on his behalf.

According to Garland’s daughter, Lorna Luft, at the taping of this performance Judy looked into the camera and said, “This is for you, Jack,” but CBS edited it out as too political. Still, everyone knew what the song was about.

This remains my favorite performance ever by Garland. I see her vulnerability, her conviction, and her indomitable strength all at the same time.

 Like a sorcerer whose once awesome powers might have dimmed, through sheer force of will she again summons powerful artistry to pay honor to her friend.

For a brief, shining moment the magic returned.

The loss of the president and the inspiration of his promise is clear in her eyes. Check out the 3:10 mark as she stands strong and tall in her conviction.

THIS was why she was a star. This is why she remains in our consciousness.

With the Equality March for Unity & Pride this weekend, and pride events all over the country, I’m sure we’ll all hold more than one rainbow in our hearts.

Happy birthday Judy Garland.

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Judy Garland’s tribute to JFK shortly after his death

On December 13, 1963, Judy Garland sang “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” in honor of the recent death of President John F. Kennedy.

Garland and Kennedy were friends and she had campaigned on his behalf. 

According to Garland’s daughter, Lorna Luft, at the taping of this performance Judy looked into the camera and said, “This is for you, Jack,” but CBS edited it out as too political. Still, everyone knew what the song was about.

One of my favorite performances ever by Garland, I see her vulnerability and her strength at the same time.  Like a sorcerer whose powers might have faded, she summons up powerful magic by sheer force of will to pay honor to her friend.  The loss of the president and the inspiration of his promise is clear in her eyes.  Check out the 2:50 mark as she stands straight and solid in her strength.

When I think of the passing of JFK, this is one of the most vivid images I think of.

Another version of the song is on YouTube that incorporates footage of young JFK here. But I prefer the version below as it communicates the passion and power of one of the defining performances of Judy Garland’s career.

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Judy Garland: Rare TV appearance singing ‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow’

From the YouTube page: Judy Garland only performed “Over The Rainbow” twice during her many television appearances, which spanned 14 years. She performed it on her first TV Special, “Ford Star Jubilee” in the episode called “The Judy Garland Special” in 1955, and sang it to her children on The Christmas Edition of her weekly TV show “The Judy Garland Show” (1963).

Here Judy is dressed up as the tramp character she played when doing a duet with Fred Astaire in the film ‘Easter Parade’.

Beside the fact that it’s a terrific performance, I’d note that at this time in the 1950s artists didn’t perform so openly and with such raw emotion. It wasn’t really done much at the time, which makes this performance even more impactful. Judy was simply being who and what she was, which was authentic and original.

Great talent.