I am certainly glad I took this poorly written and terribly edited book out of the public library, instead of spending good money on it. I read this work on Judy since I have been a fan for 25 years. I have read every book that has been printed on her, and I find this to be one of the worst. It is, as many previous reviewers have said, filled with inaccuracies. For example, on page 38, it says Buddy Ebsen left The Wizard of Oz due to an eye infection, which is incorrect since we all know it was due to his lungs breathing in the aluminum dust. On page 38, Glinda is listed as played by Binnie Barnes, not Billie Burke, who did play the role. On page 44, it states that the film didn't get a tv deal until 1976. Try 1956. On page 50, it says that the parody of the Roosevelts from Babes in Arms was cut since it was too good a mimicry. Wrong again, as it was only cut after Roosevelt's death. On page 72, it says Mickey Rooney appeared in three more musicals with Judy after Girl Crazy. I only know of two: Thousands Cheer and Words and Music. On page 148, the photo of Judy and Liza was taken from her tv series, not from the Palladium concert. I am only listing a few of the errors I found, which were not already mentioned. The point is if an author can't get simple factual errors correct, how much can we believe he or she writes about everything else?
I too find it hard to believe that the author loves Judy as much as he claims. If he loved and admired Judy as much as he said, how could he have allowed so many mistakes in his work?
The only good thing I can say about this book is that it has some nice pictures, some which I had never seen before.
For readers who want to read better biographies on Judy, stick to Gerold Frank's Judy, Christopher Finch's Rainbow, and any book by John Fricke. Stay away from Anne Edwards Judy Garland since I found many similar errors, which could have been easily checked. Also stay away from Al DiOrio's Little Girl Lost and Brad Steiger's Judy Garland. Both are horrible and trashy.
I did like Lorna's book on her mother. It was interesting and told with honesty and love. She didn't sugarcoat her mother's life. We saw an honest portrayal of Garland, the talented but troubled star, who gave so much to this world. And is still inspiring and giving pleasure through her recordings, films, tv appearances, and radio appearances. The world we live in is a better place for the gifts Judy Garland bestowed upon us. She deserves to be remembered in a book better than this.
