On July 28th, 1939, 21-year-old Judy Garland sang ‘Over the Rainbow.’ The footage was filmed during a broadcast of the ‘Command Performance’ radio program. ‘Over the Rainbow’ is a song that means so much to many people. Do you have a particular personal memory of this song?
The fantastic Judy Garland performs on a massive stage with an orchestra behind her. She is wearing a black, sparkling dress as the camera focuses on her the entire time.
Judy sings the memorable lyrics, ‘Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue. And the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true.’ It is a song that inspires hope and dreams among listeners.
She sings beautifully, and the crowd is mesmerized. They reward her with exuberant applause at the song’s end. It is an amazing performance by the young Judy Garland.
The tune was written by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg for the 1939 film ‘The Wizard of Oz.’ Judy sang the song in the movie while starring as ‘Dorothy.’
‘Over the Rainbow’ won the Academy Award for Best Original Song, and it became forever attached to Judy. In 1961, Judy became the first woman ever to win the Grammy Award for Album of the Year for ‘Judy at Carnegie Hall.’
Born Frances Ethel Gumm, Judy adopted her stage name and appeared in hit films, including ‘Meet Me in St. Louis’ and ‘Summer Stock.’ She shot to fame after beginning her singing career in vaudeville with her sisters. Judy Garland is one of the most beloved performers in American history.
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