By Con McGrath

An iconic actress, singer, vaudevillian, and dancer, Judy Garland also entertained the troops on many USO tours during World War II. By such she won the hearts of the nation, especially GIs serving abroad, many of whom grew up watching her in “The Wizard of Oz”, and a series of films with Mickey Rooney.
“When Mickey and Judy Garland appeared together on the big screen, the audience felt good about themselves and their country at the same time,” penned author Terry Rowan in his book, “World War II Goes to the Movies & Television Guide.”

In 1941, Garland embarked on a remarkable tour to boost the morale of US troops stationed Stateside. In fact, she became one of the first celebrities to perform extensively for the Armed Forces during the conflict. Occasionally, she’d even travel with such co-stars as Mickey Rooney.
Aside from her live performances, Garland contributed significantly to the war effort through numerous radio broadcasts and charitable initiatives – and she encouraged others to do the same.
Her soulful performances and uplifting songs provided a much-needed escape from the grim realities of war; Garland’s talent had the power to unite people and inspire them to face the challenges of the time.

Born Frances Ethel Gumm in Grand Rapids, Minnesota on June 10, 1922, Judy Garland showed her talent for performing at a young age. A child prodigy, she captivated audiences with her exceptional singing and acting abilities. (Her original birth names were after both her parents, two vaudeville theatrical performers, Ethel Marion Milne and Francis Gumm.
Judy’s maternal great-grandmother was Mary Elizabeth Harriott, who was born in Dublin on the 23rd of Dec 1841. Mary Elizabeth later married Canadian born Hugh Fitzpatrick, and passed away in 1908 in Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A.

Throughout her life Judy was always proud of her Irish background.

When on a tour of Scotland in the early 1950s, Judy was described as ‘a bonny lass … with a … fine Scottish complexion’. To which she responded to reporters – a gift from my ‘Irish Grandmother’.

In fact in the 1940 musical “Little Nellie Kelly” Judy sings the traditional “A Pretty Girl Milking Her Cow” sung partly in Irish-Gaelic; as well as singing “It’s A Great Day for the Irish” while marching in New York City’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade. This song became one of her biggest hits. (Interestingly in the same film Judy sings a swing version of “Singin’ in the Rain” many years before Gene Kelly famously sang it in his 1952 film.)
Also, on her father’s side Judy had a distant Irish ancestor, George Thomas McElwain (1695 – 1748) who was born in Ballykeel, County Antrim, from where he later moved to Pennsylvania, U.S.A.

Continue reading in this week’s Ireland’s Own