Judy Garland

RENEE ZELLWEGER: DON’T FORGET ABOUT LORNA LUFT!

Renee Zellweger, 48, (Chicago) has been obsessively researching Judy Garland as she prepares to start filming Judy in February. The movie covers the time period in winter of 1968, when 47 year old Judy was preparing for her final concerts in London. She was at a low point in her career- her TV series was cancelled, her Australian tour was a disaster due to lateness and impairment, and Judy lost her role in the film Valley of the Dolls to Susan Hayward because she didn’t show up for rehearsals. The London concert series was a big deal, but Judy was not up for it. The movie deals with her relationships – both good and bad- at the time. Hopefully Renee will have a long chat with Lorna Luft, Judy’s younger daughter, who wrote in great detail about that time period in her fascinating book Me and My Shadows.

Photo Credit: BACKGRID-USA

LIZA MINNELLI: ANNE HATHAWAY IS ALL WRONG TO PLAY JUDY GARLAND

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Liza Minnelli is being difficult. While she admits she is a fan of Anne Hathaway, the more she thinks about it the less Liza likes the idea of Anne being cast to play her mother Judy Garland. Liza thinks Anne is just NOT right for the part. Producer Harvey Weinstein insists that Anne is the ONLY actress capable of handling the part. Liza would prefer to see a not-so-famous, unknown actress play her mother. She thinks it would feel more realistic. And we have to agree. So far Liza has resisted meeting with Anne to discuss the movie. (Actually, Anne looks more like Liza that Judy.)

Photo Credit: Pacific Coast News

DEBBIE REYNOLDS WAVES GOODBYE TO A LIFETIME COLLECTION, BUT SHE’S IN THE MONEY NOW!



Debbie Reynolds’ Hollywood costume auction this weekend was a roller coaster of emotional ups and downs. It was nice to see Debbie solving her financial problems after being robbed blind by not one, but two good-for-nothing husbands. But it was undeniably sad to see her dream of opening a Hollywood museum go up in smoke. She acquired most of her massive collection at the big MGM sale around 40 years ago and has been storing and caring for them ever since. Sadder still is the fact that most of the collectibles were purchased by foreigners and will be taken out of the country. A Saudi Arabian voice on the phone paid 4.6 million for Marilyn Monroe’s white “Seven Year Itch” subway dress. A man from a Japanese museum quietly purchased Judy Garland’s “Wizard of Oz” dress and ruby sequin slippers for $910,000 and $510,000. One of our personal favorites- Joan Crawford’s waitress uniform from “Mildred Pierce” only pulled in $22,500- maybe THAT will stay in the US.