One of my favorite childhood movies was The Wizard of Oz. It premiered in 1939.
The Wizard of Oz is about a girl from Kansas named Dorothy Gale, who gets taken by a tornado to Oz, a magical land, and is trying to get back home. On the long journey to the Emerald City to find a “Wizard” who can help her return, Dorothy and her dog, Toto, meet three very interesting characters. A Scarecrow who wishes he had brains; a Tin Man who longs for a heart; and a Lion seeking courage. They face many trials along their route, The Yellow Brick Road, but they overcome them because of the Scarecrow’s good sense, the Tin Man’s kindness, and the bravery of the Lion.
The moral of The Wizard of Oz is to find your own way in life, but be prepared for challenges and obstacles along the way. It touches upon the importance of finding good and supportive friends because if you get in the wrong group, there are evil people that can get in your way.
While researching The Wizard of Oz movie, I was shocked to learn that behind the scenes, the producers of the MGM company were especially cruel to Judy Garland during the making of the movie and that she suffered grueling filming schedules, was forced to diet, given amphetamines, and according to biographer Gerald Clarke, was molested by MGM studio boss Louis B. Mayer.
The other day I found the movie, Judy, on Amazon Prime, starring Renée Zellweger who played Judy Garland.
The film is a dramatic story about the later years of the American singer and actress, specifically in 1969, as she arrived in London for a run of sell-out concerts at the “Talk of the Town” theater. The movie unfolds over a six week period in 1968 and 1969 about Judy’s final performances. It shows flashbacks to her early years on the set of Oz, revealing some of the abuse she endured, and then flashes forward to her London life, and how she continued to be dependent on the substances that she’d been taking for a better portion of her life.
What I learned about this beloved entertainer was eye-opening. Famous as she was in her career, she struggled with addiction, had several failed marriages, enormous debt, and so much instability in her life. All that culminating into a downward spiral based on insecurities and addictions amidst the beautiful love, support, and adoration of her fans.
The movie left me with such sadness on how addiction took over this talented and broken person and how the dependencies ultimately destroyed her. It also showed Ms. Garland’s vulnerability for fame and accolades.
It’s no different today. We are constantly searching for the next “high”. Whether it’s gaming, drinking, extreme sports, etc. We expect our internet to work at lightning speed, and fast food to be, well, made and boxed really, really fast.
It makes me wonder what can we do to change these cultural and societal expectations? Can we ever slow down? Stop the pressures? Smell the roses along the way? I don’t have the answers to that. Do you?
My latest Inspirational fiction, She Made It Matter, follows a mother of two who is plagued by traumatic childhood circumstances, and she also, falls into addiction. It’s a redemptive story on the importance of believing in your self-worth, forgiving your past, and starting anew.
I only wished Judy Garland could have used the brains, heart, and courage to fight her addictions and make peace with her past.
I watched the video of Ms. Garland singing “Over the Rainbow”. And then I read the lyrics—words almost foreshadowing a young girl’s cry for happiness.
Someday I’ll wish upon an star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where troubles melt like lemon drops
Away above the chimney tops
That’s where you’ll find meWhen all the clouds are a hopeless jumble
And the raindrops tumble to the ground
Heaven opens a magic lane
When all the clouds darken up the skyway
There’s a rainbow highway to be foundLeading from your window pane
To a place beyond the sun
Just a step behind the rainSomewhere over the rainbow way up high
There’s a land that I heard of once in a lullaby
Somewhere over the rainbow skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream
Really do come trueSomeday I’ll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Behind me where troubles melt like lemon drops
Away above the chimney tops
That’s where you’ll find meSomewhere over the rainbow
Bluebirds fly…
Birds fly over the rainbow
Why then, oh why can’t I?Solo saxophone
Someday I’ll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where troubles melt like lemon drops
Away above the chimney tops
That’s where you’ll find meSomewhere over the rainbow
Bluebirds fly…
Birds fly over the rainbow
Why then, oh why can’t I?If happy little bluebirds fly
Beyond the rainbow
Why, oh why can’t I?
Well, you’re over the rainbow now, Ms. Judy Garland. I hope and pray you’ve found your rest.
If you or someone you know is suffering from alcohol and drug addiction, please contact AA, and GET HELP!!!!
YOU ARE WORTHY. YOU ARE HERE FOR A PURPOSE. YOU MEAN SOMETHING TO THOSE AROUND YOU. YOU ARE MEANT FOR MORE. YOU ARE LOVED.