Post by conwention on Mar 7, 2012 14:41:25 GMT -5
Location - Judy's home ( New Grove street and Cedar ave ) Lancaster Calif 1930
Characters
Mary Jane - Judy's oldest sister.
Virginia - Judy's second oldest sister.
Ethel Gumm - Judy's mother
Frank Gumm - Judy's father
Babe , baby ( Francis Gumm ) - Judy Garland
Judy lived in Lancaster from 1927 to 1933.
Judy is eight years old in this story.
Judy's nickname as a child was Babe.
I'm going to use both the names " Judy " from our perspective and " Babe " from the other characters perspective in this story.
Mary Jane and Virginia were fifteen and thirteen in 1930 but I imagine them both a little older in this story.
THREE SISTERS
Baby!!! Pick it up! Virginia and ( at the baby grand piano ) " Mary Jane " playing " Swing Mr Charlie " were watching Judy struggle with the dance step. They had the practice dance floor set up in the front parlor of their house ( their parents away in Los Angeles ). Give her time Virginia, she'll get it, Mary Jane said. Aw she wont get it, yelled Virginia over the sound of the piano. She looks like a little meat loaf rollin around the dance floor. Judy with large eyes looking up and back and forth at her two sisters ( berating her ) looked like she was struggling to stay afloat as she wildly thrashed her legs below her, not daring to talk back to her older sisters. All three of them secretly knew that Babe couldn't possibly do anything but quickly master the new step as her prodigious talent was a household fact. Out of frustration Virginia jumped on the dance floor and demonstrated while calling out timing and direction with kicks, turns and slides. Your right Virginia " Mary Jane yelled out " we really are the Glumm sisters. It was time. Virginia stepped back. Judy's steps were becoming smoother. The two older sisters watched as a fluidness set in that turned into greased lightning ( which was really an illusion ) for it was always the anticipation of the next movement that was Judy's trademark. Mary Jane jumped up from behind the piano and for the next hour put the trio through a professional and thorough rehearsal. The act was run through over and over with and without music. Just as it would be performed next Saturday night. Any mistake required a start from the beginning again. Being the oldest Mary Jane had the responsibility to see that the act was ready and would have to answer to her mother if not. A powerful incentive to be prepared. But there was another driving reason for the girls desire to be honed to a sharp edge. There had been a flurry of new acts trespassing on the Gumm sisters territory. They came from a town further south called Palmdale. A new business opened up there called the Cupid dance academy ( which the sisters quickly dubbed ) " the Stupid dance academy ". There were suddenly performances around Lancaster that according to the sisters lacked any depth or respect for the vaudeville traditions that the Gumm sisters were known for through out town and paled in comparison to the sisters bawdy ,powerful, original performances. It really wasn't a fair fight. Having a home theater gave the sisters a massive psychological edge over their competition.Babe cleaned out a space around the trio. The world she created when she sang kept rival acts away and smoothed out the road ahead. Babes world was the promise of hope and forgiveness and rejuvenation, of seeing again what we have become to blind to see. You were shocked when you listened to her but you knew you were closer to home then you've been in a long time. The sisters actually knew and liked many of the female Cupid students but this was a matter of pride, envy, jealousy. Holding on to what was rightfully ones own and the complete destruction of ones enemy. You know, girls stuff.
The rehearsal now over Mary Jane jumped behind the piano and began rumbling the keyboard shouting out to Judy " Baby! " its that time, with Judy quickly jumping into place in the center of the dance floor with knees bent and fists clenched and with her Judy Garland grin all eager and ready to go. Virginia ( looking on hesitantly ) yelled out over the piano " momas not gonna like this Janey " momas not here Mary Jane called back. Is Baby ready Mary Jane hollered out. Yea! Judy shouted back. Coming to a dead stop on the piano Mary Jane quickly nodded to Babe and " SOME! OF! THESE! DAYS! " suddenly the room was swaying to a bawdie hypnotic rhythm, Judy was moving her hip seductively to the sound of the piano. Virginia moved slowly behind Mary Jane and put her hands on Janie's shoulders and felt a reassuring pat from Mary Jane's hand. There was Judy. Giving it her all. Virginia was thinking " where does she get it from? " Babe paying homage to her hero " Sophie Tucker " whom the girls had seen on stage in Los Angeles the year before. But there was something different. There was a gentleness and a desperation to visually express the meaning of every word as Babe barelhoused through the song with the " Tucks " swagger. ( While holding a note before going into a chorus Judy let all the muscle's in her face flow in one direction to where it seemed her face would be torn off. Mary Jane at the piano looked back at Virginia. That was one they never saw before. ) Virginia had stood behind her youngest sister on stages all over southern California the last year watching audiences under Babes spell. Souls being healed by a child as a house was being burned down. Their straight vaudeville song and dance act slowly slipping away being replaced by Babes shamefull and lowdown singing. What concerned Virginia and Mary Jane to no end was the narcotic effect that Babes theatrical triumphs were having on her. While Virginia and Mary Jane longed for the peace and sanity of their friends and home Babe was lost only in the performing world showing no fear of where it was taking her. That ignorance of normal human fear was the most entertaining thing about her. Their mother had booked them on a tour of small theaters in Los Angeles. Virginia liked these theaters better than the big show palaces like the Warner or the Paramount . Virginia and Mary Jane noticed that Babe did hold back at the big palaces but let herself go at the small theaters. At the small theaters it was as exciting being back stage as it was performing. It was a madhouse of long time vaudeville people with everyone encouraging each other and cheering them when they came off stage. Virginia never felt such excitement that never seemed to stop. The girls parents ( Ethel and Frank ) would wander around back stage and partake in the merriment pleased that they could share with their daughters the more happier side of show business. Other acts would call Babe to join them on stage as the house would roar to hear another soulful torch song from every ones favorite little miss. It was one of the happiest times of Virginia's life. --- As Judy finished her Sophie Tucker song Mary Jane and Virginia were clapping and cheering. Mary Jane threw a small dish rag to Judy and hollered Baby show Virginia what we were working on. Mary Jane and Judy were back to playing " Some Of These Days " but Judy gave it a twist. She pretended to be Sophie Tucker doing an impersonation of " Scatchmoe " Louis Armstrong. With Babes ability to do black face without makeup she was wiping imaginary sweat off her face with the rag and spreading her lips to show all her teeth as the sound of a bull frog with laryngitis was reverberating from her voice box. Virginia was on the floor spitting up, farting and laughing so hard she was beginning to choke. This was typical for the gifts of an artist to shine the brightest when blended with a healthy foundation. Mary Jane for the life of her couldn't understand why their parents didn't have Judy doing this sort of thing on stage Though Mary Jane was the only family member that wasn't just a little bit afraid of Judy's sense of humor. The rehearsal was finally ended by Judy being surrounded by her sisters on their knees hugging and kissing her as she was an endless source of surprise and delight to them. The girls quickly put away the practice dance floor and straightened up the front parlor. They took turns bathing and putting on fresh light cotton blouses and skirts before heating up and eating a nutritious meal left in the ice box by their mother. Later they went up to a room on the second floor called the " loft " to listen to music and relax.
Mary Jane and Judy were in the " Loft " first waiting for Virginia to arrive. Around the walls of the Loft there was worn suitcases and trunks stacked upon each other with baggage stickers from all over the northern United States, Canada, the deep south and cities like Seattle and Sanfrancisco. Hand made costumes ( made by Ethel ) were on racks running on one side of the room and high on the walls were posters promoting the Gumm sisters at fabulous theaters in San Francisco and Los Angeles along with photos of people who were a mystery, most hand signed " with best wishes " to the girls parents and other photos of such a long time ago that they created an ominous presence throughout the room. This historical birth rite was fully comprehended by Judy and along with the family theater created a sense of belonging and security that Judy would draw upon for the rest of her life. Mary Jane was sitting by a window ( smoking ) watching Babe adjusting her Sears and Roebuck vacuum tube radio using a wire coat hanger wrapped around it for an antenna trying to pick up radio stations from far away. Honey " Mary Jane said " why don't you let mommy and daddy buy you a new radio. Aw this ones OK Judy replied. She could never be parted from her most prized possession. She dialed in Linda Washington singing " Troubled Love " on the Mississippi Jamboree Show out of Bakersfield and beamed proudly while looking at Mary Jane. Judy thought she wanted to be just like Mary Jane someday, the way Mary Jane crossed her legs and held her cigarette with her long hair flowing down her long ruffled dress was the most elegant thing that Babe wanted to aspire to. Mary Jane was also the one family member that wasn't frightened to engage Babes sense of humor the most. Mary Jane seemed to read Judy's thoughts and gave her a slow wink and a knowing smile. Have you ever kissed a boy, Judy blurted out with a hushed sound in her voice and a serious look on her face to Mary Jane. Mmmh mmh Mary Jane voiced and nodded. Whats it like Judy whispered. Why its nice honey Mary Jane caryingly told Babe. Just then Virginia came walking in carrying a large tray stacked with a pile of 78 rpm records, a box of chocolates and a bottle of wine. Is baby talkin about boys again she said in a loud voice. The radio was playing " Walking my Baby back Home " by the Nate Webster Swing Band. Judy had moved across the room near the Victrola record player and sat down in front of the makeup mirror. Well shes just curious Mary Jane told Virginia. Well we will just have to get a boy for baby to kiss Virginia said which prompted a laughing cry of no!!! from Judy with her legs kicking in the air. The wine was elderberry and a family favorite from a farm on the edge of town. Mary Jane and Virginia often talked amongst themselves and tried to probe Babe for the secrets of her talent without much success. They were a little afraid of what they might find. They thought a little wine might help. As Virginia was pouring wine into three glasses Mary Jane said Baby would you like some wine? Judy looked with her innocent eyes and asked, Is it all right? Its all right with me Mary Jane said, Is it all right with you Virginia? Its all right with me Virginia said, Is it all right with you Baby? Judy's stunned look showed this was the first joke in her life she didn't get. As all three girls were sipping away they were listening to Johny Marvin's " Cryin For The Carolin's " that Judy picked out of the stack of records ( the radio now off ). Judy with eyes closed and a euphoric look on her face was letting her head fall from side to side with the light moderate beat of the song. This was Judy's favorite type of music ( a mans voice and a small band that played with the light touch of a Ukulele ). Judy made believers out of her two sisters ( who were crazy about big Goodman type swing bands ) by pointing out to Mary Jane and Virginia the power of a delicate song and its limitless potential. The conversation began to drift back to boys again as a Hogie Carmichael record was now being played. Mary Jane teasingly said Baby you should ask Virginia, shes kissed lots of boys. Virginia defensively exclaimed " no I haven't " but regretted her denial when she saw how Babe knotted up like she wanted to explode with laughter when she saw someone was being put on. Mary Jane knelt down next to Babes ear and whispered " and that's just in this town " Judy's laugh exploded with a mouth full of wine spraying all over the makeup mirror, dropping her head to the table as she laughed unabated in her own wonderful way. Baby! her sisters cried out as they rushed to clean up the mirror and check on their sister. The makeup mirror was used when the girls went to perform at the family theater or at their school or some nearby home but Mary Jane and Virginia would often use it to bring out and experiment with the highlights of Babes womanly beauty and just to fascinatingly gaze at her unique appearance. Judy didn't mind being pampered and fused over ( as records were continually being played by Bessie Smith and Lillian Roth ) she felt it was her duty to provide the focal point that her family spun around and she provided purpose and order. As Lillian Roth was singing about " Dat Man Of Mine " on the record player in the background, Virginia said hand me the dark eye shadow Mary Jane and started darkening Judy's eyes. Mary Jane was busy putting in curls to hang over Judy's right eye. The song " Young Women's Blues " by Bessie Smith was now softly playing on the record player. How are you feeling baby Mary Jane asked. Oh, good Judy replied with her eyes closed serene in the music and pampering and wine. Honey you ever think of doing this song? Judy nodded silently. Sure, baby should do this at the Legion Hall next month, Virginia piped up. We could get Ace and Buddy Larson. Well save it for late at night, that place don't care what we sing. The American Legion hall that Virginia was talking about was over on Lancaster blvd near the Western Hotel. The girls stumbled upon it one night and had been the Halls little darlings ever since. The old soldiers ( who were regularly $#!% faced ) especially took to the smallest one, recognizing in her a take no prisoners street fighting approach to her singing. They saw in her the same attack that they used in pushing back the Hun on the Marne in the great war. The Larson brothers were local musicians who played stand up Bass and Drums and could Swing better than anyone east of Los Angeles. Lillian Roth was now singing " The Lonely Night " on the record player. Virginia and Mary Jane looked at each other. It was time. Judy was gazing at herself in the mirror with a secret smile on her face studying her reflection. She looked like she had gone completely mad. As Mary Jane was braiding Judy's hair she gave Judy a kiss and said Baby what do you think about when you sing? Oh, I don't know. Think baby Mary Jane said. Mary Jane tried a different approach. Well, whats different about the world then when you don't sing? Its a different world, like every things right and things are not when you don't sing. Mary Jane and Virginia knew this to. This was nothing unusual, this wasn't the answer they were looking for. Mary Jane thought a moment and said what do you think about when you watch somebody else sing? Judy thought a moment . Aw why do they just stand there when theres so much to do. Maybe they don't see what you see honey Mary Jane said. Virginie looked scared. What do you see honey Mary Jane asked. Everything, Judy whispered.
The night went on as many have before and many after. Who knows the secrets and mysteries of a family, the longing for one another down the road as time passes. The caring and tenderness that is still being played out tonight. conwention
Authors Notes.
1. My description of the interior of the Gumm home is completely made up.
2. People and things I made up for the story - the Cupid dance Academy / Judy holding back her performances at big theaters / Linda Washington / Troubled Love / Walkin my Baby back Home / Nate Webster swing band / Judy's favorite type of music / Lancaster American Legion Hall / The Larson Bros. / The Lonely Night.
3. Sophie Tucker performs " Some of these days " in Judy's second movie ( Broadway Melodie 1938 ). Judy is supposed to have performed this song on live radio. I have never heard a recording of her doing it but this is the Holy Grail for me " Judy " wise.
4. Cryin For The Carolin's Judy performed on the Maxwell House Good News radio show. I have a copy of it and its one of several forgotten songs that are priceless to me.
Characters
Mary Jane - Judy's oldest sister.
Virginia - Judy's second oldest sister.
Ethel Gumm - Judy's mother
Frank Gumm - Judy's father
Babe , baby ( Francis Gumm ) - Judy Garland
Judy lived in Lancaster from 1927 to 1933.
Judy is eight years old in this story.
Judy's nickname as a child was Babe.
I'm going to use both the names " Judy " from our perspective and " Babe " from the other characters perspective in this story.
Mary Jane and Virginia were fifteen and thirteen in 1930 but I imagine them both a little older in this story.
THREE SISTERS
Baby!!! Pick it up! Virginia and ( at the baby grand piano ) " Mary Jane " playing " Swing Mr Charlie " were watching Judy struggle with the dance step. They had the practice dance floor set up in the front parlor of their house ( their parents away in Los Angeles ). Give her time Virginia, she'll get it, Mary Jane said. Aw she wont get it, yelled Virginia over the sound of the piano. She looks like a little meat loaf rollin around the dance floor. Judy with large eyes looking up and back and forth at her two sisters ( berating her ) looked like she was struggling to stay afloat as she wildly thrashed her legs below her, not daring to talk back to her older sisters. All three of them secretly knew that Babe couldn't possibly do anything but quickly master the new step as her prodigious talent was a household fact. Out of frustration Virginia jumped on the dance floor and demonstrated while calling out timing and direction with kicks, turns and slides. Your right Virginia " Mary Jane yelled out " we really are the Glumm sisters. It was time. Virginia stepped back. Judy's steps were becoming smoother. The two older sisters watched as a fluidness set in that turned into greased lightning ( which was really an illusion ) for it was always the anticipation of the next movement that was Judy's trademark. Mary Jane jumped up from behind the piano and for the next hour put the trio through a professional and thorough rehearsal. The act was run through over and over with and without music. Just as it would be performed next Saturday night. Any mistake required a start from the beginning again. Being the oldest Mary Jane had the responsibility to see that the act was ready and would have to answer to her mother if not. A powerful incentive to be prepared. But there was another driving reason for the girls desire to be honed to a sharp edge. There had been a flurry of new acts trespassing on the Gumm sisters territory. They came from a town further south called Palmdale. A new business opened up there called the Cupid dance academy ( which the sisters quickly dubbed ) " the Stupid dance academy ". There were suddenly performances around Lancaster that according to the sisters lacked any depth or respect for the vaudeville traditions that the Gumm sisters were known for through out town and paled in comparison to the sisters bawdy ,powerful, original performances. It really wasn't a fair fight. Having a home theater gave the sisters a massive psychological edge over their competition.Babe cleaned out a space around the trio. The world she created when she sang kept rival acts away and smoothed out the road ahead. Babes world was the promise of hope and forgiveness and rejuvenation, of seeing again what we have become to blind to see. You were shocked when you listened to her but you knew you were closer to home then you've been in a long time. The sisters actually knew and liked many of the female Cupid students but this was a matter of pride, envy, jealousy. Holding on to what was rightfully ones own and the complete destruction of ones enemy. You know, girls stuff.
The rehearsal now over Mary Jane jumped behind the piano and began rumbling the keyboard shouting out to Judy " Baby! " its that time, with Judy quickly jumping into place in the center of the dance floor with knees bent and fists clenched and with her Judy Garland grin all eager and ready to go. Virginia ( looking on hesitantly ) yelled out over the piano " momas not gonna like this Janey " momas not here Mary Jane called back. Is Baby ready Mary Jane hollered out. Yea! Judy shouted back. Coming to a dead stop on the piano Mary Jane quickly nodded to Babe and " SOME! OF! THESE! DAYS! " suddenly the room was swaying to a bawdie hypnotic rhythm, Judy was moving her hip seductively to the sound of the piano. Virginia moved slowly behind Mary Jane and put her hands on Janie's shoulders and felt a reassuring pat from Mary Jane's hand. There was Judy. Giving it her all. Virginia was thinking " where does she get it from? " Babe paying homage to her hero " Sophie Tucker " whom the girls had seen on stage in Los Angeles the year before. But there was something different. There was a gentleness and a desperation to visually express the meaning of every word as Babe barelhoused through the song with the " Tucks " swagger. ( While holding a note before going into a chorus Judy let all the muscle's in her face flow in one direction to where it seemed her face would be torn off. Mary Jane at the piano looked back at Virginia. That was one they never saw before. ) Virginia had stood behind her youngest sister on stages all over southern California the last year watching audiences under Babes spell. Souls being healed by a child as a house was being burned down. Their straight vaudeville song and dance act slowly slipping away being replaced by Babes shamefull and lowdown singing. What concerned Virginia and Mary Jane to no end was the narcotic effect that Babes theatrical triumphs were having on her. While Virginia and Mary Jane longed for the peace and sanity of their friends and home Babe was lost only in the performing world showing no fear of where it was taking her. That ignorance of normal human fear was the most entertaining thing about her. Their mother had booked them on a tour of small theaters in Los Angeles. Virginia liked these theaters better than the big show palaces like the Warner or the Paramount . Virginia and Mary Jane noticed that Babe did hold back at the big palaces but let herself go at the small theaters. At the small theaters it was as exciting being back stage as it was performing. It was a madhouse of long time vaudeville people with everyone encouraging each other and cheering them when they came off stage. Virginia never felt such excitement that never seemed to stop. The girls parents ( Ethel and Frank ) would wander around back stage and partake in the merriment pleased that they could share with their daughters the more happier side of show business. Other acts would call Babe to join them on stage as the house would roar to hear another soulful torch song from every ones favorite little miss. It was one of the happiest times of Virginia's life. --- As Judy finished her Sophie Tucker song Mary Jane and Virginia were clapping and cheering. Mary Jane threw a small dish rag to Judy and hollered Baby show Virginia what we were working on. Mary Jane and Judy were back to playing " Some Of These Days " but Judy gave it a twist. She pretended to be Sophie Tucker doing an impersonation of " Scatchmoe " Louis Armstrong. With Babes ability to do black face without makeup she was wiping imaginary sweat off her face with the rag and spreading her lips to show all her teeth as the sound of a bull frog with laryngitis was reverberating from her voice box. Virginia was on the floor spitting up, farting and laughing so hard she was beginning to choke. This was typical for the gifts of an artist to shine the brightest when blended with a healthy foundation. Mary Jane for the life of her couldn't understand why their parents didn't have Judy doing this sort of thing on stage Though Mary Jane was the only family member that wasn't just a little bit afraid of Judy's sense of humor. The rehearsal was finally ended by Judy being surrounded by her sisters on their knees hugging and kissing her as she was an endless source of surprise and delight to them. The girls quickly put away the practice dance floor and straightened up the front parlor. They took turns bathing and putting on fresh light cotton blouses and skirts before heating up and eating a nutritious meal left in the ice box by their mother. Later they went up to a room on the second floor called the " loft " to listen to music and relax.
Mary Jane and Judy were in the " Loft " first waiting for Virginia to arrive. Around the walls of the Loft there was worn suitcases and trunks stacked upon each other with baggage stickers from all over the northern United States, Canada, the deep south and cities like Seattle and Sanfrancisco. Hand made costumes ( made by Ethel ) were on racks running on one side of the room and high on the walls were posters promoting the Gumm sisters at fabulous theaters in San Francisco and Los Angeles along with photos of people who were a mystery, most hand signed " with best wishes " to the girls parents and other photos of such a long time ago that they created an ominous presence throughout the room. This historical birth rite was fully comprehended by Judy and along with the family theater created a sense of belonging and security that Judy would draw upon for the rest of her life. Mary Jane was sitting by a window ( smoking ) watching Babe adjusting her Sears and Roebuck vacuum tube radio using a wire coat hanger wrapped around it for an antenna trying to pick up radio stations from far away. Honey " Mary Jane said " why don't you let mommy and daddy buy you a new radio. Aw this ones OK Judy replied. She could never be parted from her most prized possession. She dialed in Linda Washington singing " Troubled Love " on the Mississippi Jamboree Show out of Bakersfield and beamed proudly while looking at Mary Jane. Judy thought she wanted to be just like Mary Jane someday, the way Mary Jane crossed her legs and held her cigarette with her long hair flowing down her long ruffled dress was the most elegant thing that Babe wanted to aspire to. Mary Jane was also the one family member that wasn't frightened to engage Babes sense of humor the most. Mary Jane seemed to read Judy's thoughts and gave her a slow wink and a knowing smile. Have you ever kissed a boy, Judy blurted out with a hushed sound in her voice and a serious look on her face to Mary Jane. Mmmh mmh Mary Jane voiced and nodded. Whats it like Judy whispered. Why its nice honey Mary Jane caryingly told Babe. Just then Virginia came walking in carrying a large tray stacked with a pile of 78 rpm records, a box of chocolates and a bottle of wine. Is baby talkin about boys again she said in a loud voice. The radio was playing " Walking my Baby back Home " by the Nate Webster Swing Band. Judy had moved across the room near the Victrola record player and sat down in front of the makeup mirror. Well shes just curious Mary Jane told Virginia. Well we will just have to get a boy for baby to kiss Virginia said which prompted a laughing cry of no!!! from Judy with her legs kicking in the air. The wine was elderberry and a family favorite from a farm on the edge of town. Mary Jane and Virginia often talked amongst themselves and tried to probe Babe for the secrets of her talent without much success. They were a little afraid of what they might find. They thought a little wine might help. As Virginia was pouring wine into three glasses Mary Jane said Baby would you like some wine? Judy looked with her innocent eyes and asked, Is it all right? Its all right with me Mary Jane said, Is it all right with you Virginia? Its all right with me Virginia said, Is it all right with you Baby? Judy's stunned look showed this was the first joke in her life she didn't get. As all three girls were sipping away they were listening to Johny Marvin's " Cryin For The Carolin's " that Judy picked out of the stack of records ( the radio now off ). Judy with eyes closed and a euphoric look on her face was letting her head fall from side to side with the light moderate beat of the song. This was Judy's favorite type of music ( a mans voice and a small band that played with the light touch of a Ukulele ). Judy made believers out of her two sisters ( who were crazy about big Goodman type swing bands ) by pointing out to Mary Jane and Virginia the power of a delicate song and its limitless potential. The conversation began to drift back to boys again as a Hogie Carmichael record was now being played. Mary Jane teasingly said Baby you should ask Virginia, shes kissed lots of boys. Virginia defensively exclaimed " no I haven't " but regretted her denial when she saw how Babe knotted up like she wanted to explode with laughter when she saw someone was being put on. Mary Jane knelt down next to Babes ear and whispered " and that's just in this town " Judy's laugh exploded with a mouth full of wine spraying all over the makeup mirror, dropping her head to the table as she laughed unabated in her own wonderful way. Baby! her sisters cried out as they rushed to clean up the mirror and check on their sister. The makeup mirror was used when the girls went to perform at the family theater or at their school or some nearby home but Mary Jane and Virginia would often use it to bring out and experiment with the highlights of Babes womanly beauty and just to fascinatingly gaze at her unique appearance. Judy didn't mind being pampered and fused over ( as records were continually being played by Bessie Smith and Lillian Roth ) she felt it was her duty to provide the focal point that her family spun around and she provided purpose and order. As Lillian Roth was singing about " Dat Man Of Mine " on the record player in the background, Virginia said hand me the dark eye shadow Mary Jane and started darkening Judy's eyes. Mary Jane was busy putting in curls to hang over Judy's right eye. The song " Young Women's Blues " by Bessie Smith was now softly playing on the record player. How are you feeling baby Mary Jane asked. Oh, good Judy replied with her eyes closed serene in the music and pampering and wine. Honey you ever think of doing this song? Judy nodded silently. Sure, baby should do this at the Legion Hall next month, Virginia piped up. We could get Ace and Buddy Larson. Well save it for late at night, that place don't care what we sing. The American Legion hall that Virginia was talking about was over on Lancaster blvd near the Western Hotel. The girls stumbled upon it one night and had been the Halls little darlings ever since. The old soldiers ( who were regularly $#!% faced ) especially took to the smallest one, recognizing in her a take no prisoners street fighting approach to her singing. They saw in her the same attack that they used in pushing back the Hun on the Marne in the great war. The Larson brothers were local musicians who played stand up Bass and Drums and could Swing better than anyone east of Los Angeles. Lillian Roth was now singing " The Lonely Night " on the record player. Virginia and Mary Jane looked at each other. It was time. Judy was gazing at herself in the mirror with a secret smile on her face studying her reflection. She looked like she had gone completely mad. As Mary Jane was braiding Judy's hair she gave Judy a kiss and said Baby what do you think about when you sing? Oh, I don't know. Think baby Mary Jane said. Mary Jane tried a different approach. Well, whats different about the world then when you don't sing? Its a different world, like every things right and things are not when you don't sing. Mary Jane and Virginia knew this to. This was nothing unusual, this wasn't the answer they were looking for. Mary Jane thought a moment and said what do you think about when you watch somebody else sing? Judy thought a moment . Aw why do they just stand there when theres so much to do. Maybe they don't see what you see honey Mary Jane said. Virginie looked scared. What do you see honey Mary Jane asked. Everything, Judy whispered.
The night went on as many have before and many after. Who knows the secrets and mysteries of a family, the longing for one another down the road as time passes. The caring and tenderness that is still being played out tonight. conwention
Authors Notes.
1. My description of the interior of the Gumm home is completely made up.
2. People and things I made up for the story - the Cupid dance Academy / Judy holding back her performances at big theaters / Linda Washington / Troubled Love / Walkin my Baby back Home / Nate Webster swing band / Judy's favorite type of music / Lancaster American Legion Hall / The Larson Bros. / The Lonely Night.
3. Sophie Tucker performs " Some of these days " in Judy's second movie ( Broadway Melodie 1938 ). Judy is supposed to have performed this song on live radio. I have never heard a recording of her doing it but this is the Holy Grail for me " Judy " wise.
4. Cryin For The Carolin's Judy performed on the Maxwell House Good News radio show. I have a copy of it and its one of several forgotten songs that are priceless to me.