Rating: 
Summary: Hack Biography At Its Quick-Buck Worst
Review: Garland was a tempestuous talent with serious emotional problems who began to use drugs at an early age. Her drug use served to intensify her emotional problems, distorted her personality, ruined her career, and ultimately took her life. These are facts, and any Garland biography that attempts to gloss over them does a disservice to its subject, who deserves the dignity of truth. But Sheridan Morley and Ruth Leon's JUDY GARLAND: BEYOND THE RAINBOW does not simply meet these facts, it turns them into superficial tabloid trash complete with pat explantions and superficial interpretations; worse still, the text is riddled with factual inaccuracy, relies upon rumor and mean-spirited speculation, and makes no attempt to place Garland's difficulties in perspective with the other aspects of her life.I can think of no other Garland text, including the absolutely abominable biography by Anne Edwards, that so ill-serves its own subject. It is filled with unverified and self-serving gossip delivered in such a nasty tone that one wonders how Morley and Leon manage to sleep at night. If you wish to read a legitimate portrait of Garland, I recommend you seek out Christopher Finch's meticulously researched and elegantly written RAINBOW: THE STORMY LIFE OF JUDY GARLAND (sadly, now out of print) or Gerald Frank's exhaustive JUDY instead--and avoid this piece of coffee table trash as you would the plague.
Rating:
Summary: Hack Biography At Its Quick-Buck Worst
Review: Garland was a tempestuous talent with serious emotional problems who began to use drugs at an early age. Her drug use served to intensify her emotional problems, distorted her personality, ruined her career, and ultimately took her life. These are facts, and any Garland biography that attempts to gloss over them does a disservice to its subject, who deserves the dignity of truth. But Sheridan Morley and Ruth Leon's JUDY GARLAND: BEYOND THE RAINBOW does not simply meet these facts, it turns them into superficial tabloid trash complete with pat explantions and superficial interpretations; worse still, the text is riddled with factual inaccuracy, relies upon rumor and mean-spirited speculation, and makes no attempt to place Garland's difficulties in perspective with the other aspects of her life. I can think of no other Garland text, including the absolutely abominable biography by Anne Edwards, that so ill-serves its own subject. It is filled with unverified and self-serving gossip delivered in such a nasty tone that one wonders how Morley and Leon manage to sleep at night. If you wish to read a legitimate portrait of Garland, I recommend you seek out Christopher Finch's meticulously researched and elegantly written RAINBOW: THE STORMY LIFE OF JUDY GARLAND (sadly, now out of print) or Gerald Frank's exhaustive JUDY instead--and avoid this piece of coffee table trash as you would the plague.
Rating:
Summary: Beyond the Rainbow Should Stay There
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Judy book. Piece of trash
Review: I dispise this book number 1 because of errors in grammar. I don't think any of the authors went to school. Number 2 because they keep saying that Judy is a gay icon. Somepeople may believe that but keep in mind many people love Judy around the world. I agree with other people that the best books of Judy you could ever read are the ones that John Fricke writes. I want to make something clear it doesn't mean that if someone is friends with bisexual people that one is bisexual too or that person is immediately called a gay icon. It's not fair to Judy, her family, and her fans who love her dearly. The only thing I could say that this book is worth buying for the rare photos, but the text it horrible. Hope this helps.
Rating:
Summary: WORDS CANNOT DESCRIBE THE AWFULNESS!!!
Review: I have to say that this book is the poorest excuse of a Judy bio I have ever read! It's a disgrace! How in the world did this get printed with all those lies and errors?! I don't even have words to describe my disgust! I feel so sorry for the authors if they have to resort to telling lies about the greatest female entertainer that ever lived just to make money! Judy was the most fantastic singer/actress of all time and I am indescribably angry at how the authors portray her! I am only 16 and I know more about Judy than those authors who supposedly researched her to write the book! How in the world can they even think they know all about Judy when they never even knew her? My advice is that if you want to read about Judy then read Me and My Shadows: A Family Memoir by Lorna Luft. Lorna is Judy's own daughter and she knows the facts because she was there. Get the facts from Lorna and don't waste your money on the Beyond the Rainbow rubbish!
Rating:
Summary: have just bought the book
Review: I have worshipped Judy 4 25-26 years! Her legacy is astounding - and she continues 2 enrich my life! This book(I WON`T EVEN MENTION THE WRITERS NAMES) is like dancing or spitting on Judy`s grave. There are 2 many numerous faults - in this book - worth mentioning.... The photographs are good, but years and their origins are 2 often wrong.... Please! If I were the publisher I would withdraw it from circulation. Liza, Lorna, Joey and Sid have plenty AMMUNATION for a lawsuit.... This book makes me cry! The authors HAVE NO SYMPATHY for its subject whatsover.... If u wanna read how CRUEL persons can be 2 other people; READ THIS TRAVESTY....
Rating:
Summary: My opinion of this book? LET THERE BE SILENCE!!!
Review: I have worshipped Judy 4 25-26 years! Her legacy is astounding - and she continues 2 enrich my life! This book(I WON`T EVEN MENTION THE WRITERS NAMES) is like dancing or spitting on Judy`s grave. There are 2 many numerous faults - in this book - worth mentioning.... The photographs are good, but years and their origins are 2 often wrong.... Please! If I were the publisher I would withdraw it from circulation. Liza, Lorna, Joey and Sid have plenty AMMUNATION for a lawsuit.... This book makes me cry! The authors HAVE NO SYMPATHY for its subject whatsover.... If u wanna read how CRUEL persons can be 2 other people; READ THIS TRAVESTY....
Rating:
Summary: have just bought the book
Review: I ordered this book from the store and am getting it tomorrow (tuesday 6th jan 04). I am now very dissapointed that i ordered this book because after reading everyones reviews i feel i have wasted money on it and i havent even read it yet.
when i go to collect this book and i am going to order the lorna luft book that everyone keeps recommending.
I was very much looking forward to reading this book but now i dont think i can be bothered.
i loved judy garland dearly. i am only 16 and think she was such a wonderful actress and one of the best singers i think i have ever seen. I would like to apologise to everyone that the writers of this book are british (atleast i think they are... thats what someone said) and would also like to point out that not all brits are like that and many of us love judy garland as much as all other fans.
may you rest in piece judy!
Rating:
Summary: It's a terrible shame the author of this book cant be sued!
Review: Judy Garland. From all her triumphs, conquering the palce, the palladium, Carnigie Hall..her inane poularity from her M.G.M. years, the 2 year-old child that experienced the first true theatre. The list is endless of what this amazing woman has done in her life, yet the author of this book has quite clearly decided to write this biography for the money and fame he seemed to think It would bring him. All the way through the book rumours are displayed as truth and he is able to get away with complete and amazing lies to give his book a ''new'' edge, but unfortunatly for him all news in this book have been in the others, except more delicatly put and sticking to the facts instead of make-believe. The grammer is the worst I have ever seen and the way the book has been generally written terribly. He gets the stupidest things wrong, for example the number of wrongly i.d'd pictures, and the fact that he seems to portray Cyd Charrise as a man! M. Morely and Miss. Leon Your book is an amazing dis-credit to the art and sensitvity that was our wonderful Judy Garland. I beg that you do not waste anymore poor trees with your tripe We still see Judy as one of the best entertainers, you can never take that away from us so stop trying to destroy our hero's!
Rating:
Summary: I have to give my view on this awful book
Review: Oh Oh Oh dear. do not waste your money on this terrible book of rubbish. after the first chapter i had to look at the covber to check whether i was reading about Judy Garland....It is all wrong, the authors get the simplest of detail wrong. I am annoyed that I wasted money buying it. The book seems like it has been written by a 5 year old. It is so incredibly wrong it is laughable. unfortunatly you have to give it a star from 1-5 it doesnt deserve the one star i gave it though.. a complete slap on the face to a wonderful legend
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