Here - Linda Eder

The 1930s
● In 1933, the Gumm family moved to Silver Lake, a suburb of Los Angeles, where Judy and Jimmie attended Lawlor's
Hollywood Professional School.
● On October 21, 1933, Judy and Mickey Rooney appeared in a Lawlor recital together; it was their first professional
association... and they'd go on to be co-billed in ten Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer feature films (between 1937 and 1948), to
share the premiere taping of her 1963 CBS-TV series, and to share countless benefit, radio, and personal appearances.
● In 1934, the Gumm sisters traveled to Chicago where they appeared at The Oriental Theatre. George Jessel, who
headlined and emceed the bill, decided to change their stage names to "The Garland Sisters" because the audience
laughed when he introduced them as "The Gumm Sisters."
● To get away from the nickname "Baby," Frances chose to change her own first name in the summer of 1935, taking the
title of the Hoagy Carmichael/Sammy Lerner song, "Judy," in its stead.
● In 1935, The Gumm Sisters' act broke up when Susie got married.
● In September 1935, when Judy was 13, she auditioned for M-G-M, singing "Zing! Went The Strings Of My Heart." She
was signed immediately to a seven year contract.
● Also in 1935, Judy made her network radio debut on the "Shell Chateau Hour."
● On June 12, 1936, just two days after her 14th birthday, she recorded "Stompin' At The Savoy"/"Swing Mr. Charlie" with
Bob Crosby and His Orchestra for Decca in New York. This was the first Judy Garland record to be released. In 1937,
Decca signed her to a long-term recording contract.
● In 1936, after the one-reel M-G-M short EVERY SUNDAY (with Deanna Durbin), Judy made her feature film acting debut
in PIGSKIN PARADE.
● In February 1937, Judy was asked to perform at an onset birthday party for Clark Gable. She sang "Dear Mr. Gable"
which led into the song "You Made Me Love You." Her rendition created such a sensation, it was written into her part in
the already-scripted BROADWAY MELODY OF 1938 (in which she played the daughter of the great Sophie Tucker).
● In 1937, she made her first film appearance with Mickey Rooney in THOROUGHBREDS DON'T CRY. They re-teamed
months later for LOVE FINDS ANDY HARDY; earlier in 1938, she also duetted with the legendary Fanny Brice in
EVERYBODY SING.
● In the late 1930s, Judy was a radio regular, singing on scores of shows and assuming her status as the favorite of
millions at that time.
● She topped off the decade with the release of THE WIZARD OF OZ in August 1939, followed by BABES IN ARMS in
October. As a result, she placed in the top ten box office stars for 1940 — a position she held again in 1941 and 1945.
● On October 10, 1939, Judy placed her hand and footprints in cement at Grauman's Chinese Theatre with Mickey Rooney
in attendance.
1934 publicity shot.
Performing as "The Garland
Sisters" in Chicago (L to R:
Susie, Jimmie and Baby) 1934.
Publicity portrait for THE
WIZARD OF OZ, 1938.
Mickey Rooney and Judy at
Grauman's Chinese Theatre,
1939.