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      Rainbow

      1978 1h 40m Biography List
      Reviews This biographical drama focuses on the turbulent life and early performing career of Hollywood actress and singer Judy Garland (Andrea McArdle). The film looks at her upbringing as one of numerous daughters in the vaudevillian Gumm family, and particularly explores her relationship with her high-strung mother, Ethel Gumm (Piper Laurie). Though Garland's career is slow to pick up steam, by the close of the 1930s she is a full-blown star, thanks to a string of successful movies. Read More Read Less

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      J M I don't enjoy picking on a young person, but this biography, which ends just prior to the release of THE WIZARD OF OZ, is ruined by young McArdle's performance. Best known for originating the little orphan in ANNIE on Broadway, she has a lovely voice, and I hope she's had a fulfilling life. But she's just dreadful here. Let's forget for a moment that she doesn't look or sound like Garland in the slightest. But it's a robotic, comatose performance, and even when she sings, her voice is that of a generic Broadway babe born and bred by a monstrous showbiz mama. There's nothing new here that even those with the slightest knowledge of Garland won't already know. The cast is OK, although whoever put that awful wig on Rue McClanahan should be tarred and feathered. This is the biopic equivalent of CliffsNotes, and everything feels hollow and uninspired. If you want to check out a MUCH better version of this material, watch the first half of LIFE WITH JUDY GARLAND: ME AND MY SHADOWS, which features an extraordinary performance by Tammy Blanchard as the young Judy. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 03/08/24 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      Movie Info

      Synopsis This biographical drama focuses on the turbulent life and early performing career of Hollywood actress and singer Judy Garland (Andrea McArdle). The film looks at her upbringing as one of numerous daughters in the vaudevillian Gumm family, and particularly explores her relationship with her high-strung mother, Ethel Gumm (Piper Laurie). Though Garland's career is slow to pick up steam, by the close of the 1930s she is a full-blown star, thanks to a string of successful movies.
      Director
      Jackie Cooper
      Genre
      Biography
      Original Language
      English
      Runtime
      1h 40m