For many years, Judy Garland’s life and her iconic efficiency as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz have been clouded by rumor, embellishment and outright invention, RadarOnline.com can reveal.
The myths surrounding the 1939 basic have been repeated so typically, they’ve hardened into supposed reality. However John Fricke, the foremost historian of Oz and an archivist of Garland’s legacy, is setting the report straight.
Via many years of analysis, interviews and private relationships with those that labored alongside Garland – together with 20 members of the Munchkin forged – Fricke has devoted his profession to separating fact from folklore.
Delusion #1: Garland Resented Her Oz Costars
TRUTH: She remained near them all through her life. Claims of lingering resentment towards Jack Haley (Tin Man), Ray Bolger (Scarecrow) and Bert Lahr (Cowardly Lion) are, Fricke stated, later distortions.
Garland reunited with Bolger on her TV sequence and greeted Margaret Hamilton (Depraved Witch of the West) with open affection throughout a shock look on The Merv Griffin Present.
Delusion #2: MGM Altered Garland’s Nostril to Make Her Much less Engaging
TRUTH: Make-up assessments have been transient and by no means appeared on-screen. Garland later joked concerning the studio experimenting with beauty putty – describing the outcomes together with her trademark humor.
MYTH #3: Garland Disliked Singing ‘Over The Rainbow’
TRUTH: She regarded it as important. Even when her voice faltered, Garland insisted on performing the music. Fricke recalled live shows the place she spoke a lot of the lyric, saving her power for the ultimate notes – and delivering them flawlessly.
MYTH #4: Garland Was Hooked on Drugs Throughout ‘The Wizard of Oz‘
TRUTH: Her dependency developed years later. Fricke is unequivocal that Garland’s struggles with treatment didn’t start through the making of Oz, however emerged within the Forties.
MYTH #5: Garland Hated Speaking About ‘The Wizard of Oz‘
TRUTH: She regularly shared Oz tales with heat and humor. Fricke pointed to Garland’s appearances on The Jack Paar Present, the place she fondly recalled moments from the set, typically turning exaggerated rumors into punch strains. Her anecdotes have been playful, not bitter.
MYTH #6: Judy Garland Died From Alcoholism
TRUTH: There was no alcohol in her system when she died in 1969 at 47. The coroner’s report discovered no indicators of alcoholism or cirrhosis. Garland died by accident from an overdose of prescription sleeping tablets.
MYTH #7: Garland was Unreliable in Her Later Performances
TRUTH: She may nonetheless ship extraordinary moments. Fricke personally witnessed live shows the place Garland struggled – then summoned astonishing energy when it mattered most, typically leaving audiences surprised.
MYTH #8: The Munchkins Have been Wildly Out of Management on Set
TRUTH: A couple of triggered issues – and have been eliminated. Garland’s joking remarks about drunken Munchkins have been exaggerated over time. Fricke famous the overwhelming majority have been disciplined professionals, unfairly smeared by the repetition of lies.
MYTH #9: Audiences Pitied Her Close to the Finish
TRUTH: She was deeply liked. Greater than 22,000 folks lined as much as pay their respects after her dying, underscoring the devotion she impressed till the very finish.
MYTH #10: Garland’s Profession Declined After Oz
TRUTH: Her later work outlined her greatness. Fricke cited a overview from her last full live performance efficiency in 1969, which described her efficiency as a “nice triumph” – a phrase he believes captures the arc of her life: resilience, brilliance and an unbreakable bond together with her viewers.