Rating: 
Summary: Five stars for one of our brightest and loneliest stars
Review: She's reviving her career, she's in London with a troubled marriage that's fodder for the tabloids...no, we're not speaking of Liza Minnelli, mega-talented daughter of "Dorothy Gale from Kansas," but of "Baby Gumm," Frances Gumm, who you might have heard of as Judy Garland.
In a memorable scene from the 2001 miniseries "Life With Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows," a frustrated Garland, played to perfection by Judy Davis, shouts into the phone, "Yes, I've heard how difficult it is to work with Judy Garland. Do you know how difficult it is to be Judy Garland? I've been trying to be Judy Garland all my life!" In the foreword to Judy Garland: A Tribute In Art And Anecdote, Garland's daughter Lorna Luft echoes this sentiment in as loving a tribute to her mother as the miniseries, based on Luft's own published memoir, and as reverent yet observant as John Fricke's stunning, definitive, human, glowing, not-in-the-least-fawning encomium on Garland's life. You'll love the posters, photographic portrait of entertainment history, drawings, and "home movie" photos of the private Garland. Garland's children, flawed and loving, gave her added complexity as a working mom heroine. To quote the title of one of her movies, "I Could Go On Singing." In Fricke's book, she does just that.
Rating:
Summary: Clear the coffee table for this winning tribute
Review: The dynamic legacy of Judy Garland is masterfully showcased in John Fricke's latest tribute. One glimpse inside makes clear that the cover price simply reflects the breathtaking quality of its design, vibrant color and paper stock (and who can argue w/ Amazon's 30% discount?). You can't expect a '4-Star' fan feast at a 'Happy Meal' price. But for a rare and remarkable look inside Judy's lifelong career, it's a small indulgence well-spent.
Rating:
Summary: SPECTACULAR !!!! JOHN FRICKE HAS JUST RAISED THE BAR
Review: This book is by far the greatest tribute ever paid to Judy Garland in book form, and I know because I have every single book ever published on Judy Garland (by a reputable publisher that is, beware of some of the recent fly-by-night publishers with photos that appear to be xeroxed). The only book that even comes close is Fricke's prior work "Judy Garland: World's Greatest Entertainer" which remains the best career retrospective to date. As incredible as it seems Fricke did not duplicate any photos between the two books, so if you have one book you should certainly buy the other one as well. Now as for quality, this book is fantastic! The pages are high quality glossy type with photos that are crisp and clear. On the very first pages I could see the details in Judy's pink and white striped top that she wore on her tv show and at the London Paladium. These details are not visible in any other photograph of her wearing this costume. Judy's entire life is shown here in photos along with quotes from the stars of Hollywood's golden age and popular entertainers from all eras. Judy was a unique and one of a kind talent. John Fricke is probably the only person who could produce a work of this quality. It is superb!! As for an anonymous reviewer who left only one star, well that person is obviously uninformed, any true fan would see the value of owning this book. The price may seem a tad high at first glance, but when my book arrived I could see why it is priced as it is. It is quite heavy and LOADED with photos! The quality of the pages and printing are top notch all the way, they sure as hell didn't skimp on quality here and when your copy arrives you will realize that this book is worth every penny and more. This is truly a celebration of Judy Garland and the best Garland book to be published in years!! John Fricke has just raised the bar for all of those hacks out there who produce cheaply printed, poorly written books. Bypass the others and get this one. Treat yourself! By the way Lorna Luft, Judy's younger daughter has written a very sweet, loving forward to this book. Older daughter Liza Minnelli referred to this book as "spectacular" in a recent article in the Chicago Tribune. She took the "word(s)" right out of my mouth. Give yourself an early Christmas present and buy this book and put on Judy's Carnegie Hall CD while you browse through it. Thank you John Fricke for giving us Garland fans a real treat. To quote Joan Crawford (at Judy's "Star is Born" premiere) "Christmas came early this year!"
Rating:
Summary: Completely won over???? You will be..
Review: This book is magic. I really felt once i had finished the book..I read it from start to finish in one sitting..that Judy Garland was clapping at the end and giving me an impish grin because I had followed her all her life.
The photos speak for themselves - the beautiful glamour shots, the fat ones, the thin ones, the ones of Judy singing, throwing her head back and laughing, reaching out to people, crying (but not really)the close ups of her and her freckles and puffy eyes..toto, Lorna, Joey, Liza.. Ranse Ranson..whoever you are, you did a wonderful job. A beautiful presentation.The text summarises each decade of Judy's life and career so don't expect too much indepth analysis here. But everything is accurate to my knowledge, and Judy's sense of humour and the ironical come across loud and clear. Some may find it a bit too gushy..but come on..this is written by a huge fan so as well as historian John Fricke so what do you expect? Tabloid trash? The quotes are fitting but I wish there were more from the entertainment world that I knew and still alive..like Elizabeth Taylor, Mickey Rooney, Liza Minelli..I mean she could say something new it's not like one had to be close to Judy have insight to her. Fricke didn't have to rehash old quotes..but it's nice to have them anyway. Even those who were extremely close to Judy sometimes could not understand her. I mean those arrangers couldn't understand why Judy never vocalised before a concert! Hello! She was saving her voice!!! She wasn't an opera singer! Most of the quotes are gushy (like she is the greatest..etc)..and some make you mad, because they're just people's biased opinions, and some are truly lovely and what Judy would have liked to hear and read. Lorna contributed to the foreword and it's lovely to have Judy Garland's daughter's perspective. It does remind you that Judy was a human being not a mythological legend and that she left living legacies in her children. Joey too is quoted, however he is a quiet man and does not like to speak much about his ma and I respect that. What would be interesting is when everyone is prepared to speak out about Judy once past wounds have been healed. quotes from David Rose, Sid Luft, mark herron and Mickey Deans are noticeably absent. Sid Luft is still living but he is not prepared to open the past..although he has collaborated with one Judy biography that shall be nameless. So don;t go looking for Judy's personal love life here! Her love was with her audience, and it shows. Also I think this book will contribute to vindicating Judy from some misinterpretations of her worth as a person and entertainer. Be warned, it gets sad towards the end.... This is a fascinating book,even if you buy it for the pictures alone..it's worth the money!!!!! It will become a collectors item I think and will give pleasure for generations to come. Keep it for the treasury.
Rating: 
Summary: Its Been Done
Review: This is pretty much Fricke's 1992 book blown-up. Save your money.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Photos!
Review: This is strictly a book for serious fans. I can't imagine anyone casually interested in Judy's life purchasing this picture book. That said, there are terrific photos, many I haven't seen. I particularly love the ones where she is performing and we see and even feel the rapt attention of her audience. The layout of the book is beautiful in typical Fricke fashion. I will say that I wish as much attention was spent on proofreading. I caught at least five misspellings in a casual reading.
Rating:
Summary: More than just a legend...
Review: This is the greatest new book on Judy Garland. It includes many new photographs and images never seen before. The format of the book shows Judy as performer through the decades of her life as well as showing her as the devoted mother of her three children. For those of us who grew up watching Judy on television (other than her movies), it is fascinating to see the candid shots and the behind the scenes' photos. This book is a tribute to Judy, not only as a legend, but also as a mother. Judy Garland would be very proud of this collaboration of John Fricke and Lorna Luft. I cannot think of two people more qualified or devoted to the memory of Judy Garland to present such a fascinating study of a mother and a superstar that we lost too early.
Rating:
Summary: The best Garland book EVER!
Review: This is the one book that EVERY true blue Garland fan needs to own. John Fricke manages to truly show the scope of Judy's talent and career, along with proving that virtually everyone who ever knew her dearly loved her. The book is chockfull of stunning photographs, including many that have been rarely seen and many that have never been seen. This books celebrates a life and talent that will never be equalled. It is a gorgeous book that is worth its weight in gold. I cannot find the words to praise it highly enough!
Rating: 
Summary: Gushy
Review: When I picked up this book at the library, the librarian said to me, "You've got the heaviest book in the library." I replied, "It may be heavy in weight, but it won't be heavy reading." And indeed it was not. The only reason to look at this book is for the pictures, many of which I've not seen elsewhere. The text, however, is gush, gush, gush. The author repeats himself ad nauseum and quotes only people who haven't a single word to say against the great, the fabulous, the one and only legend! It gets tiresome. Yes, Judy Garland was a great talent, but how many times do we have to hear it?
Rating:
Summary: Gushy
Review: When I picked up this book at the library, the librarian said to me, "You've got the heaviest book in the library." I replied, "It may be heavy in weight, but it won't be heavy reading." And indeed it was not. The only reason to look at this book is for the pictures, many of which I've not seen elsewhere. The text, however, is gush, gush, gush. The author repeats himself ad nauseum and quotes only people who haven't a single word to say against the great, the fabulous, the one and only legend! It gets tiresome. Yes, Judy Garland was a great talent, but how many times do we have to hear it?
|
