A thorough biographical examination of the life of Frances Gumm from start to finish. As a third billed act performing with her sisters (the Gumm sisters), her life was forever changed when she altered her name to Judy Garland, shedding her childhood act and starting her own career path with MGM Studios. In becoming a movie star, Garland's handlers micromanaged her every move with a variety of pills and medications to get her to perform and look the ideal image. The medication and long work hours took a hard toll on Garland's body and spirit, never being able to escape the demons from her past. ( )

A gift from Lujean Kreisner

Gerald Clarke's Get Happy is, perhaps, the definitive biography of Judy Garland. It was very well researched over ten years, including over five hundred interviews. At the back, the book includes an extensive section of notes, referenced to the book by page numbers, and a vast bibliography. Get Happy also features an index, photo credits, and acknowledgments. If you want to know anything about Judy Garland, this is the biography to read first.

Starting with her parents, Clarke follows Judy Garland's life with a meticulous attention to detail. He really leaves nothing out. This chronicle of her sad life is sensitive and kind but also carefully reported and honest. Some of the details are scandalous and shocking, but Clarke treats them not as a form of gossip, but merges them together into a haunting portrait of a talented but troubled woman. Judy Garland, sick and exhausted, died in 1969 of an apparent barbiturate overdose. From Clarke's work we can assume that she never did "Get Happy."

Die hard fans of Judy Garland may want to avoid this biography as it really does tell all, and not everything revealed is flattering or even tasteful, especially information regarding her sex life. Additionally the book would have benefited from more photos and additional information about her relationship with her children.
highly recommended; http://shetreadssoftly.blogspot.com/
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This might have once passed as a reasonable biography but audiences today are looking for a new angles on people's time on earth. Superficial re-telling of who said what to whom. Only just readable, if not for the interesting subject. ( )

I love Judy Garland, and I have read other biographies, the best of which was written by Anne Edwards. I didn't learn anything I didn't already know, and the book wasn't particularly engaging. ( )