Judy Garland’s ‘wicked’ mum made daughter a star at all costs: ‘Wrap you around bed post’ | Celebrity News | Showbiz & TV
The studio reportedly signed Judy without even conducting a screen test, but found they didn’t know what to do with her as she was too old for most child roles and too young for adult roles.
Eventually, she was typecast as the girl next door which saw her career begin to take flight with a handful of movies in the late 1930s.
The star would often be paired with young Mickey Rooney, a working partnership that was physically preferable as Rooney’s short stature was still three inches taller than Judy.
However, the on-set realities of these films were none too kind to youngsters, with Judy constantly being told to diet and provided with small meals despite being a healthy weight.
Ethel allegedly took little interest in how her daughter felt being under contract with the studio, especially as Francis died shortly after Judy was signed leaving the family somewhat reliant on her income.
