The LRB Podcast Who owns Judy Garland?
Dec 17, 2025
Bee Wilson, a writer and cultural critic known for her insightful essays on food and culture, joins Malin Hay to delve into the complex legacy of Judy Garland. They explore Garland's tumultuous experiences at MGM Studios, including the exploitation she faced and the artistic brilliance she achieved. Wilson discusses Garland's evolution into a star, her significant collaborations, and the duality of her public persona versus private struggles. They also reflect on who truly owns Garland's legacy in today's cultural landscape.
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Voice And Persona Created Irresistible Stardom
- Judy Garland combined extreme vocal power with a fragile, childlike persona that captivated audiences from childhood.
- Bee Wilson argues this rare blend made her feel like a once-in-forever talent to listeners and studios alike.
MGM's Double-Edged Influence
- MGM both forged Garland's stardom and inflicted lasting harm through diet, drugs and control.
- Wilson frames the studio's treatment as formative child abuse that produced iconic work at great personal cost.
Vaudeville Was Her Training Ground
- Garland and fellow vaudevillians like Mickey Rooney had extraordinary early training from live performance.
- Wilson says their 10,000+ hours of stage work made them consummate screen performers by adolescence.