LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Judy Garland, who was best known for her iconic role as Dorothy in 'The Wizard of Oz', faced many challenges and difficulties that haunted her until her tragic death.
A new book by David Fantle and Tom Johnson 'C’mon, Get Happy: The Making of Summer Stock' reveals the story of Garland's personal turmoil struggling with fame.
Besides, her prescription medicine dependency, the book also covers that her looks haunted her and that she wanted to give away anything to look like Marilyn Monroe.
'Summer Stock' was a troubled production
'Summer Stock', released in 1950, was Garland’s final film for MGM, the studio that had signed her when she was only 13 years old.
The book authors interviewed many people who were involved in the film and they learned that it was not a smooth process.
“It was a troubled production,” Fantle said, adding “And it was also significant in that it was Judy Garland’s final film with … the only studio she knew for 15 years. … And this was the end of the proverbial road for Judy," OK! Magazine reports.
Judy Garland struggled with a growing dependency on prescription medications
The book reveals Garland was struggling with a growing dependency on prescription medications which affected her mood and performance.
"She had a growing dependency on prescription medications," Fantle detailed of Garland. "So, she was going through a lot of personal emotional upheaval at that time..."
She also had to deal with emotional issues stemming from her childhood fame and the pressure to maintain her image.
“She had to struggle with her personal demons,” Fantle said. “She certainly had to struggle with her personal demons.”
Judy Garland’s Insecurity about Her Looks
One of the most surprising revelations from the book is that Garland, who was admired by millions of fans for her talent and beauty, did not see herself as attractive.
She wished she could look like Marilyn Monroe or Lana Turner, who were considered the epitomes of glamour at the time.
Fantle and Johnson quoted director Charles Walters, who said that Garland would’ve given everything, given every bit of her talent to be Marilyn.
“She wanted to be gorgeous like Marilyn. And she never considered herself pretty,” Walters said.
Besides other insecurities, she felt that she was not desirable or worthy of love. Johnson said that this was a huge demon that she never was able to put to rest.
“She just wanted to be beautiful and sought after in that way. And I think she always felt that all through her career, all through her life,” Johnson said.
Garland died due to an accidental overdose at age 47 in 1969.
