Judy Garland was one of the most talented acts of old Hollywood, switching between acting and music. She started as a child star, making her film debut in 1936’s Pig Skin Parade at 14. Two years later, she featured in her most famous role as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz.
Prior to her death at 47, Judy carved a thriving career for herself, starring in several movies and releasing successful records. She was the first woman to win a Grammy award for Album of the Year and also earned two Golden Globes in 1955, and 1962. Among her many iconic acts, here are the top eleven that stand out, according to Rotten Tomatoes.
11. ‘A Star Is Born’
A Star Is Born has been remade over the years since the original from 1937. Judy played the lead role, co-starring with James Mason in the second adaptation by Director George Cukor. The 1954 version earned Judy her first Academy Award for Best Lead Actress, bringing her further into the spotlight.
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10. ‘The Wizard of Oz’
Although many would expect The Wizard Of Oz to top the list— being her most popular act, it comes after many others. The movie set the stage for Judy to showcase both her acting and singing skills, and shot her to stardom. Her performance of “Over The Rainbow” by Yip Harburg still resounds today, and she received an Honorary Oscar as a “screen juvenile” on the film.
9. ‘Summer Stock’
Summer Stock got a perfect rating of 100% on the site and although based on very few reviews, the 1950 film deservingly holds the spot. Judy starred alongside Gene Kelly in the musical, which was their last of many films together.
8. ‘Till The Clouds Roll By’
This iconic production from the mid-40s featured Judy on screen with legends like Frank Sinatra, Angela Lansbury, Robert Walker, Lucille Bremer, June Allyson, and others. The musical, which was a fictional biopic of Broadway composer Jerome Kern did not do so well with the public at the time, but over the years, has earned its place as one of Judy’s best.
7. ‘Broadway Melody of 1938’
Judy played a supporting role in the 1937 musical, delivering a powerful rendition of the song “You Made Me Love You” which became a hit. Broadway Melody of 1938 solidified her rise to fame after The Wizard Of Oz, and was the third installment of the Broadway Melody series that debuted in 1929.
6. ‘Girl Crazy’
Judy and comedian Mickey Rooney co-starred in 1943’s Girl Crazy, being one of their many collaborations throughout Judy’s career. Girl Crazy was originally proposed as a fifth film of the Broadway Melody series, to feature Fred Astaire and Eleanor Powell but the idea was later dropped.
5. ‘I Could Go On Singing’
Judy’s last film before she died in 1969 from a barbiturate overdose was I Could Go On Singing, which tells the story of an accomplished singer trying to reconnect with her ex-lover and their child. The movie directed by Ronald Neame also featured Dirk Bogarde and Jack Klugman.
4. ‘The Harvey Girls’
The Harvey Girls was based on a novel released in 1942 and had other notable actors like Angela Lansbury, John Hodiak, and Ray Bolger. The movie won the award for Best Original Song for “On the Atchison, Topeka, and the Santa Fe,” performed by Judy and several others, and was also nominated for some Academy Awards categories.
3. ‘For Me And My Gal’
Based on a true story of two comedian lovers during the First World War, For Me and My Gal was more of Gene Kelly’s rise to fame as his first feature film, however, it also marked Judy’s transition from her usual teenage roles.
2. ‘The Clock’
Judy starred alongside Robert Walker in the romance movie by director Vincente Minnelli. The Clock was special to her, being her first dramatic role and one that did not require her to sing. It was a box office hit that further solidified her place and range in the acting industry.
1. ‘Meet Me In St. Louis’
Meet Me In St. Louis takes the top position as Judy’s best movie of all time, judging by its 100% rating with enough reviews to justify it. The “Certified Fresh” 1944 production directed by Vincente Minnelli featured Judy alongside Mary Astor, Margaret O’Brien, Lucille Bremer, and others. The box office hit earned four Academy Award nominations, and one honorary Oscar for Margaret as a “screen juvenile.”