Deanna Durbin, Judy Garland, and the Golden Age of Hollywood

by Melanie Gall Narrated by Melanie Gall

Overview

The 1930s was a magical age in Hollywood, with Shirley Temple and Mickey Rooney, Bette Davis, and Clark Gable lighting up the silver screen. But Deanna Durbin's fame surpassed them all. Born in Canada, Deanna was “discovered” by star-maker Eddie Cantor, producer Joe Pasternak, and director Henry Koster, and she quickly became the world's most celebrated star. She saved Universal Studios from ruin, she was a favorite of Winston Churchill and Anne Frank, and she became the highest-paid woman in America.

From the start, Deanna's life was irrevocably connected with that of another young ingénue, Judy Garland. Deanna and Judy were wildly talented, ambitious, and strong-willed young women who followed vastly different paths to stardom. While fame was thrust upon Deanna, Judy spent years struggling for success and their early friendship soon turned into a lifelong rivalry.

Despite her tragic life, Judy Garland is remembered as an entertainment icon, beloved by millions. However, Deanna Durbin-who turned her back on Hollywood at the age of twenty-eight to pursue love and happiness-has been largely forgotten. But Deanna's legacy endures, and this first-ever biography tells of how her gorgeous voice and winning charm vaulted her to worldwide fame and how a thirteen-year-old girl transformed moviemaking and influenced a generation of fans as the first teenage superstar.

Editorial Reviews

Tony Award–nominated actress Jayne Atkinson

To say that I enjoyed Melanie Gall’s book is a vast understatement! I stayed up late into the night to finish it. I learned so much through Deanna and Judy’s stories as well. I felt like I was immersed in American and European history in such an emotional and profound way, as well as the history of Hollywood, both the honorable and dark sides. As an actress, I can appreciate Deanna’s journey. This book is a must-read for any actor, young or old, who faces the journey of being in the business of Hollywood!”

author of Dangerous When Wet Jamie Brickhouse

Deanna Durbin’s star sparkles once again thanks to Gall’s gem of a biography. A gift to classic movie fans, it tells, for the first time, the fascinating story of Durbin while uncovering the magic, glamour, and grit of how movies and stars were created during the Golden Age of Hollywood.”

Library Journal

05/01/2022

In the 1930s and '40s, Judy Garland and Deanna Durbin were very popular singing child stars. While the tragic Garland's legend is still strong, Durbin's career has fallen into obscurity. Musician and music historian Gall wants to change that in this first-ever full biography of the teenage superstar who possessed a beautiful voice and was even more famous than Garland in the 1930s. Gall traces her singing and movie career and provides little-known information about her personal life. The Canadian-born Durbin was discovered at 14 and starred in 21 films in little over a decade. She was said to have saved Universal Studios and was at one time the highest-paid woman in America. Despite her early success, Durbin became disillusioned with Hollywood, a place not often kind to aging child stars. At 27, she retired and moved to France. She never made another movie or sang in public again. But unlike Garland's, Durbin's life did not end in tragedy. She married French director-producer Charles Henri David and lived happily ever after. VERDICT A well-written and fascinating biography that celebrity mavens and fans of the Golden Age of Hollywood will enjoy.—Rosellen "Rosy" Brewer

Product Details

BN ID:	2940160550688
Publisher:	Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Publication date:	05/23/2023
Edition description:	Unabridged