What Happened to Judy Garland in London?

By Anna Duncan

Judy Garland, the iconic actress and singer, had a storied career that spanned several decades. However, one particular incident in her life has remained shrouded in mystery – her time in London during the late 1960s. Garland was booked for a series of performances at the Talk of the Town nightclub but her time in London was plagued with difficulties.

The Beginnings of Trouble

Garland arrived in London in December 1968 to begin rehearsals for her shows at the Talk of the Town. However, she was already in poor health and had been struggling with addiction issues for years. Her performances were frequently erratic and she would often forget lyrics or slurr her words.

The Infamous Interview

Things took a turn for the worse when Garland gave an interview to a British journalist that was published in The Daily Mail. In it, she made several disparaging comments about her fans and the city of London itself. She also spoke openly about her struggles with addiction and mental health issues.

The interview caused a public outcry and many people called for Garland’s shows to be canceled. However, she continued with rehearsals and eventually took to the stage at the Talk of the Town.

The Shows Must Go On

Garland’s performances were a mixed bag – some nights she would be on top form, belting out classic songs like “Over The Rainbow” to rapturous applause. Other nights, however, she would struggle to make it through a single song without forgetting lyrics or losing her place.

Despite this, she soldiered on through several weeks of shows at the Talk of the Town. Her performances were well-attended but critics were divided – some praised her resilience while others criticized her lackluster performances.

The Aftermath

After her run at the Talk of the Town ended, Garland returned to the United States where she continued to struggle with addiction and health issues. She would tragically pass away in 1969 at the age of just 47.

To this day, the true story of what happened to Judy Garland in London remains something of a mystery. However, her time in the city is a reminder of the toll that addiction and mental health issues can take on even the most talented and beloved performers.