From Publishers Weekly
It's hard to imagine that there could ever be a more obsessive detailing of Garland's life than this day-by-day listing that brings new meaning to the word minutiae. There seems to be no detail too small or insignificant to escape Schechter's forensic-like attention to all things Judy (1922 1969). A $15.97 receipt from Lord & Taylor for a new hat (December 12, 1968) merits the same amount of space as the night (March 30, 1955) a camera crew was set up in her hospital room (the day after giving birth to her son) to record her Best Actress Oscar acceptance speech for A Star Is Born (she wound up losing to Grace Kelly). Given that this is a quotidian chronology, some entries are banal (numerous dates just note checks Garland wrote that day), but as anyone who has ever read a Garland bio knows, she didn't lead a dull life. There is a strange fascination to being able to chart the progress of the shooting of The Wizard of Oz, Meet Me in St. Louis and other MGM musicals (and hour-by-hour notations for Annie Get Your Gun before she was fired). Schechter (publisher and editor of the fanzine Garlands for Judy The Legend's Legacy) includes a generous sampling of reviews for films, albums and live appearances and dutifully notes current availability for fans. Although few enthusiasts will read this cover-to-cover, it is sure to have enormous appeal as a reference tome and have multiple uses for trivia buffs. 80 b&w photos.Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.


From Library Journal
Actress Janet Leigh is quoted as saying, "There can never be enough written about Judy Garland." However, the line must be drawn with this daily chronology of Garland's life. Do even the most rabid Garland fans really want to read that on April 7, 1944, Garland was called to the Meet Me in St. Louis set, was ready at 10:30, and dismissed at 4 p.m.? Entry after entry reads like this. It's true that Garland's will (included in the appendix) might be of interest to some, but also included are the names that appeared in her address book just names, no addresses. Schechter's publishers tout him as "the world's premier Garland authority," and this book is being published to coincide with what would have been Garland's 80th birthday. But it is mind-numbingly boring and does not do her justice. Try Gerald Clarke's Get Happy: The Life of Judy Garland or Morley Sheridan's Judy Garland: Beyond the Rainbow instead. Not recommended. Rosellen Brewer, Monterey Cty. Free Libs., Salinas,CACopyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.


Unzipped magazine
"Lavishly illustrated, oversized Bible of a coffee-table book ... May be preaching to the choir, but it makes a joyful noise."


Robert Osborne, THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
"Schechter's research is as thorough as a Nobel scientist ... It's the most complete retrospective published on a celebrity ... absolutely mesmerizing."


Susan King, LA TIMES
"Scott Schechter's book not only chronicles her difficult life, but also proves how hard she worked to overcome obstacles"


Playbill
"Staggeringly thorough"


The Advocate
"Exhaustively researched (and lushly illustrated) history of the diva's life"


Frontiers Magazine
"(The book) represents an incredible archival work by the author, and offers a lot of fascinating nuggets along the way."


New York RESIDENT
"Thoroughly and extensively researched ... A stunning literary monument. Anyone who loves Judy Garland will treasure this new classic."


BOTTOM LINE Magazine
"It pins down not only Garland, but the life of a celebrity. The text painstakingly records the lifetime career"


STONEWALL NEWS NORTHWEST
"80 high quality photographs and thoughtfully concluded with two indexes... This is a volume definitely destined for coffee tables."


PM Magazine
"An unparalleled treasure trove of rare Garland material."


Book Description
This day-by-day account of Judy's life, the first of its kind, contains material to entice even the most devoted Garland fan. This book paints a definitive portrait of this remarkable icon.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

The world has yet to see another star like Judy Garland. A screen icon for her roles in The Wizard of Oz, A Star is Born, Meet Me in St. Louis, and Easter Parade, she also triumphed in the realm of television (with The Judy Garland Show) and as a recording artist. Judy Garland: A Day-by-Day Chronicle of a Legend recounts every significant day of her astounding career in show business, from her first appearance on stage when she was two years old, to her misunderstood final years. A trove of rare Judy material, the book includes concert set lists, testimonials from friends and critics, transcripts of radio and television performances, selections from interviews and press conferences, rare photographs, and much more.

About The Author

Scott Schechter is the co-producer of the 4-CD box set Judy and the producer of the new CD The Judy Garland Show: The Show That Got Away. Hee served as a consultant for the DVD re-releases of The Judy Garland Show, and has edited and published the acclaimed fanzine Garlands for Judy-The Legend's Legacy since 1995.

SYNOPSIS

Viewing Garland (1922-69) as a uniquely talented star whose career was repeatedly reborn, rather than as the victim portrayed by the press, a New York media writer and Garland authority chronicles her performances, interviews, critical reviews, unstable personal life, and "afterlife" career highlights. Beginning with June 10, 1922 (her birth), the virtually daily entries track her activities until she died (June 21, 1969), and then continue with activities of the industry concerning her until 2002. Most are brief (such as "Judy was out ill this day," or "Pirate work. Called: 10 a.m.; dismissed: 3 p.m. Rehearsed `Mack the Black.'" Significant events are described in more detail. The book includes some 80 b&w photos, and recommended movies and music. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

FROM THE CRITICS

Library Journal

Actress Janet Leigh is quoted as saying, "There can never be enough written about Judy Garland." However, the line must be drawn with this daily chronology of Garland's life. Do even the most rabid Garland fans really want to read that on April 7, 1944, Garland was called to the Meet Me in St. Louis set, was ready at 10:30, and dismissed at 4 p.m.? Entry after entry reads like this. It's true that Garland's will (included in the appendix) might be of interest to some, but also included are the names that appeared in her address book just names, no addresses. Schechter's publishers tout him as "the world's premier Garland authority," and this book is being published to coincide with what would have been Garland's 80th birthday. But it is mind-numbingly boring and does not do her justice. Try Gerald Clarke's Get Happy: The Life of Judy Garland or Morley Sheridan's Judy Garland: Beyond the Rainbow instead. Not recommended. Rosellen Brewer, Monterey Cty. Free Libs., Salinas,CA Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

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