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

  • By: Melanie Gall
  • Narrated by: Melanie Gall
  • Length: 9 hrs and 46 mins
  • 3.5 out of 5 stars (2 ratings)
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Deanna Durbin, Judy Garland, and the Golden Age of Hollywood

By: Melanie Gall
Narrated by: Melanie Gall
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Summary

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.

©2022 Melanie Gall (P)2023 Blackstone Publishing

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Fab

Loved this book. Got to give her kudos for walking away from Hollywood when she probably could have gotten more films. Loved her friendship with Judy garland.

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Only for the hardcore devote with nothing much else to listen to. I kinda wouldn’t minded finding something else tho!

It’s a fan letter to Diana Durban tells us very little other than she played a sweet girl on screen and off/ most of the time. She brought the childhood star vibes (Ala Shirley) Temple to universal studios and the money rolled in until it didn’t. Oh and the critics may have loved Diana Durban but they rated very few of her movies. - Enjoy if you can. Narration is almost good enough to help you drift off if the story doesn’t.

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