In a week of difficult, soul-crushing news on network television, I've got a TV programming note that's perfect for family viewing. It's a classic film that could refresh your soul and make you smile again for a couple of hours.
If you get cable's TCM channel -- Turner Classic Movies -- Hollywood great Judy Garland is the TCM Star of the Month for every Friday in June.
When I was a child of the '60's, growing up in Los Angeles, one of my favorite nights of the year was the night of the annual prime time special network presentation of THE WIZARD OF OZ. I'm sure many fellow boomers feel the same way. It usually aired as a CBS special back in the day when we didn't have TV recording abilities, VHS and DVD rentals and 24-hour cable that had channels like TCM. We had CBS, ABC, NBC and local stations broadcast from a big, heavy box of bulbs, wires and a screen that was centered in your living room. Also, you were lucky if you had a color TV.
What I loved about those nights were, of course, the brilliant musical fantasy itself with its amazing cast, highlighted by the sincerity and poignancy of young Judy's truly iconic performance. Her last line always touched my heart, It still does. I also loved our mother's THE WIZARD OF OZ annual TV presentation ritual of making brownies or chocolate chip cookies and sitting down to enjoy them and the movie with my sister and me.
This Friday, June 10th, TCM airs THE WIZARD OF OZ at 8p ET following Judy Garland with Gene Kelly in THE PIRATE ar 4p ET -- featuring Garland's sexiest and funniest performance in an MGM musical -- and IN THE GOOD OLD SUMMERTIME with Van Johnson at 6p ET.
THE WIZARD OF OZ will air on TCM uncut and commercial free.
I'll be watching.
When I grew up, here's something I realized about Judy Garland's performance in THE WIZARD OF OZ. She started work as a contract player with a moving, memorable, big voice when she was 13. She was under contract to MGM, the A-list Hollywood studio for musicals. She began appearing in films. She was not yet a star. The performance in 1939's THE WIZARD OF OZ made her one. Garland worked at MGM for 15 years and became a top Hollywood star. She pretty much grew up in front of the MGM cameras.
MGM eagerly wanted Shirley Temple for the role of Dorothy. Temple was a major money-maker at 20th Century Fox and Fox would not loan her out to MGM.
MGM gave the role to teen Judy. When Judy was 15/16 and making the movie, she was surrounded by middle-aged veteran performers -- Bert Lahr, Jack Haley, Ray Bolger, Billie Burke, Margaret Hamilton and Frank Morgan -- all grown-ups at their best.
However, if you couldn't believe in the longing, sadness, humility, strength, sincerity and love in Dorothy's character, the whole multi-million dollar MGM production would fall apart. She's the key figure. Plus, Judy had to learn new songs and dances. That was a daunting assignment. Judy had a lot resting on her shoulders for a kid -- and she carried it off beautifully. Judy Garland was an extraordinary, natural talent.
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