Thirty-Six from Thirty-Six to Sixty-Three



On this day in nineteen hundred twenty-two

A child was born who would grow up too soon

A performer in a vaudeville act with her two sisters

The Gumms never quite caught on, or got richer



So when the oldest of the three decided to marry

The youngest one - Frances, certainly didn't tarry

At thirteen, she auditioned personally for MGM's Louis B. Mayer

Who signed her to a contract without a screen test ... just a prayer



And so began the career of one Judy Garland

The girl who had the whole world in her hands ...

And would then make thirty films over the next thirteen years

Before the work-load would drive her to pills, booze and tears ...



And the last half-dozen films Judy Garland made

Were spread out over thirteen years, amidst tirades

Even though she won acclaim and nominations for two

It was never enough to keep her away from the blues ...



And so, at just forty-seven, she sunk into a final abyss

A life tortured by unhappiness, and much distress

With four failed marriages behind her and a fifth in pain

I guess she felt she just couldn't go through it all again  



- Tristram



© Christopher W. Thomas

10:10pm Thurs. June 10th, 1999



Highlights of Judy Garland's career:



1936 - Every Sunday (debut, first of 30))

1939 - The Wizard of Oz (honorary Oscar)

1948 - Easter Parade (with Fred Astaire)

1950 - Summer Stock (last of thirty in a row)



1954 - A Star is Born (Oscar-nominated)

1961 - Judgement a Nuremberg (nom. Supporting)

1963 - I Could Go On Singing (final film)



Born - Frances Gumm, June 10th, 1922

Died - Judy Garland, June 22nd, 1969