Judy Garland, known for her iconic role as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, captivated audiences with her portrayal of the sweet and caring Kansas farm girl.
However, behind the scenes, Garland faced a treacherous journey during the making of the 1939 classic.
The studio system demanded that she maintain a slim figure, leading to a strict diet and the use of stimulants and sleeping pills to keep her going.
During the filming of The Wizard of Oz, Garland was just 17 years old and already addicted to barbiturates and amphetamines.
The pressure to remain thin and energetic for long hours of filming contributed to her substance abuse.
Sadly, this would become an ongoing battle throughout her life, ultimately leading to her accidental overdose in 1969 at the age of 47.
Garland's mother, Ethel, played a significant role in her early exposure to pills.
Ethel, a frustrated vaudeville performer, pushed her daughters, including Garland, onto the stage from a young age.
As early as 10 years old, Garland was given pills by her mother to boost her energy and help her sleep.
Signed to Metro Goldwyn Mayer as a teenager, Garland starred in numerous films for the studio.
However, she faced constant scrutiny from studio bosses, particularly regarding her weight.
At just 14 years old, she appeared in her first feature film called Pigskin Parade, where she was already referred to as a “fat little pig with pigtails” by studio head Louis B. Mayer.
To maintain her weight, she was put on restrictive diets and given pills to suppress her appetite.
Garland referred to these pills as “pep pills,” and she wasn't the only one forced to take them.
Her co-star Mickey Rooney also had to consume them.
Both Garland and Rooney endured grueling work schedules, often working days and nights without rest.
They were given pills to keep them awake and then knocked out with sleeping pills in the studio hospital.
This cycle continued for 72-hour work marathons.
Even before filming The Wizard of Oz, Garland was already in a cycle of taking upper and downer drugs.
To maintain Dorothy's youthful appearance, she was tightly corseted and had her bre-sts strapped down.
Alongside the drugs and limited food intake, this extreme measure aimed to create a slim silhouette.
Despite these challenges, Garland's exceptional talent shone through in her unforgettable performance.
Garland's struggles with yo-yo dieting, pill dependency, and heavy alcohol consumption persisted throughout her life.
She described herself as a “walking advertisement for sleeping pills” and acknowledged the strain they put on her nervous system.
While her mother may have played a role in her victimization by the studio system, it also allowed her to showcase her immense talent to audiences.
It was a bittersweet double-edged sword that defined Garland's life and legacy.
