After appearing in Vaudeville theater with her sisters, Judy was signed to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer as a teenager. There she made more than two dozen films, including nine with Mickey Rooney, and the film with which she would be most identified, "The Wizard of Oz" (1939). After 15 years, Judy was released from the studio but gained renewed success through record-breaking concert appearances, including a critically acclaimed Carnegie Hall concert, a well-regarded but short-lived television series, and a return to film acting beginning with "A Star Is Born" (1954).
Despite her professional triumphs, Judy battled personal problems throughout her life. Insecure about her appearance, her feelings were compounded by film executives who told her she was unattractive and overweight. Plied with drugs to control her weight and increase her productivity, Garland endured a decades-long struggle with addiction. Garland was plagued by financial instability, often owing hundreds of thousands of dollars in back taxes, and her first four of five marriages ended in divorce. She attempted suicide on a number of occasions. Garland died of an accidental drug overdose at the age of 47, leaving children Liza Minnelli, Lorna Luft, and Joey Luft.
Legacy
Judy Garland's legacy as a performer and a personality has endured long after her death. The American Film Institute named Garland eighth among the "Greatest Female Stars of All Time". She has been the subject of over two dozen biographies since her death, including the well-received "Me and My Shadows: A Family Memoir" by her daughter, Lorna Luft. Luft's memoir was later adapted into the multiple award-winning television mini-series, "Life with Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows", which won Emmy Awards for two actresses portraying Garland (Tammy Blanchard and Judy Davis).
Garland was posthumously awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997. Several of her recordings have been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. These include "Over the Rainbow," which was ranked as the number one movie song of all time in the American Film Institute's "100 Years...100 Songs" list. Four more Garland songs are featured on the list: "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" (#76), "Get Happy" (#61), "The Trolley Song" (#26), and "The Man That Got Away" (#11).
Judy Garland has twice been honored on U.S. postage stamps, in 1989 (as Dorothy) and again in 2006 (as Vicki Lester from A Star Is Born).
Thats Entertainment
Judy Garland Lyrics
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Or the dance that's a dream of romance
Or the scene where the villain is mean.
That's entertainment!
The lights on the lady in tights
Or he bride with the guy by her side
Or the ball where she gives it her all.
That's entertainment!
A gay divorcee who is after her ex
It could be Oedipus Rex
Where a chap kills his father and causes lots of bother.
The clerk who is thrown out of work
By the boss who is thrown for a loss
By the skirt who is doing him dirt
The world is a stage; the stage is a world of entertainment!
It might be a fight like you see on the screen
A swain getting slain for the love of a queen
Some great Shakespearean scene
Where a ghost and a prince meet, and everyone ends in mincemeat.
The guy who was waving the flag
That began with the mystical hand
Hip hooray! The American way
The world is a stage; the stage is a world of entertainment!
The song "That's Entertainment" by Judy Garland/Liza Minnelli celebrates the beauty of entertainment and the various forms it can take. The opening lyrics describe a clown with his pants falling down, which is a classic comedic trope that has entertained audiences for generations. The lyrics then mention a dreamy dance romance and a villainous scene, emphasizing that entertainment can evoke a range of emotions.
The song then moves on to describe different types of entertainment, such as a bride and groom dancing, a ball where a woman gives it her all, and even a plot "teeming with sex" (likely a reference to a scandalous storyline). The lyrics reference Oedipus Rex, a Greek tragedy where a man unknowingly kills his father and marries his mother, and a Shakespearean scene with a ghost and a prince, highlighting the longevity and cultural significance of certain forms of entertainment.
The song concludes with the idea that the whole world is a stage, and that everything that happens is a form of entertainment. The final verse references the iconic image of a person waving a flag accompanied by the phrase "Hip hooray! The American way", suggesting that even patriotism can be considered a form of entertainment. Overall, the song celebrates the depth and breadth of entertainment, highlighting how it touches every aspect of life.
Line by Line Meaning
A clown with his pants falling down
A comic performer who can barely keep his clothes on is just as entertaining.
Or the dance that's a dream of romance
A graceful and passionate dance can also be pleasing to watch.
Or the scene where the villain is mean.
The villain, who wants to do harm to the singer or others, can be compelling.
That's entertainment!
All of the above examples prove that it's great entertainment.
The lights on the lady in tights
The bright spotlights on a woman wearing skin-tight clothing can be hypnotic.
Or he bride with the guy by her side
A bride and groom, sharing their joy and happiness with each other, is a sight to behold.
Or the ball where she gives it her all.
A woman dancing and putting her all into a performance is also entertaining.
The plot can be hot, simply teeming with sex
A storyline that is full of sexual content and tension can also be engaging.
A gay divorcee who is after her ex
A divorced woman who is seeking revenge on her ex-husband can be an intriguing character.
It could be Oedipus Rex
Even a dark and complicated play like Oedipus Rex can be entertaining if done well.
Where a chap kills his father and causes lots of bother.
Even a story full of tragedy and conflict can be interesting to watch unfold.
The clerk who is thrown out of work
A regular person losing their job can also be a captivating story.
By the boss who is thrown for a loss
Even successful people can experience failure and be involved in entertaining conflicts.
By the skirt who is doing him dirt
A woman who is treating a man poorly can be a compelling character and storyline.
The world is a stage; the stage is a world of entertainment!
The world is like a stage with everyone performing and entertaining in their own ways.
It might be a fight like you see on the screen
A cinematic fight scene can also be exciting and entertaining to watch.
A swain getting slain for the love of a queen
A man getting killed for his love and devotion to a powerful woman can be a passionate story.
Some great Shakespearean scene
Even a classic scene from a Shakespearean play can be impactful and engaging.
Where a ghost and a prince meet, and everyone ends in mincemeat.
Even supernatural elements and violent endings can come together to form a great piece of entertainment.
The guy who was waving the flag
A person proudly waving a flag can be a symbol of patriotism and entertainment.
That began with the mystical hand
Even mystical elements can be a part of entertaining performances and stories.
Hip hooray! The American way
Celebrating American culture and values can also be a form of entertainment.
The world is a stage; the stage is a world of entertainment!
The world is full of entertaining performances, just like a stage.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PAUL JOHN WELLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind