Evening star., 1950-06-21
MGM Gives Out Details
OF Studio S Troubles
With Judy Garland
BY The Asseeietsd Press

Wyn-Mayer Studio on Judy Gar.
lands case today heightened
speculation on the former chile
stars future as a movie queen.
Miss Garland's studio, MGM
suspended her Saturday and re-
moved her from the cast of he
latest picture after she failed t.
show up for rehearsal with Free
Astaire. Monday night, during {
conference about her problem
with her husband and advisers
she ran into the bathroom ane
siashed her throat with a broker
glass. Her doctor said the wounc
- superficial.
Some say her recent trouble.
mean the star, who had had both
marital and health difficulties, /,
washed up at 29.
Gets Sympathy.
Others contend MGM would
never cut adrift an actress whose
recent films have crossed about
$5 million each.
One thing is certain: The little
girl with the big voice" has almost
everybody'S sympathy.
It's no secret that her health
has suffered in recent years. Since
May, 1949. she has been receiv-
ing treatment for a nervous con-
dition in addition, she has had
to diet to combat a tendency
toward plumpness.
MGM'S Statement.
MGM today issued this state
ment on her case:
I'VE are. very relieved to know
that early reports of Judy Gar
lands condition were exaggerated
and that her injury is only slight
and superficial.
Miss Garland's health and
state of mind have been of great
concern to us for some time. Hav-
ing known her for many years,
and working with her so long, we
have made every attempt to do
what we can to make her COM
Portable and keep her happy.
Several times. against our
better judgment, at her insist
ence, we have started films with
her, and her consequent illness
has caused us embarrassment, de-
lay, inconvenience and loss of
morale to co-workers. In the
case of Annie Get Your Gum
Miss Garland's suspension came
as last resort because she was
unable, due to her emotional dis
turbances and lack of cooperation
which were probably induced by
her illness, to continue work. This
was also true in the case of The
Barkleys of Broadway
Financed Treatment.
Following Miss Garland's re-
placement on Annie Get Your
Cum the studio financed course
of medical treatments for her for
a period Of some months in Boston.
After these treatments we. were
advised that she had recovered
sufficiently, so that it would be
beneficial for her to assume the
responsibility of doing q picture.
This opinion came from one of the
outstanding medical men in this
country. Miss Garland was then
assigned to Summer Stock
In the preparatory. stages of
the film. during rehearsals and
in the very early shooting, it
seemed that Miss Garland was up
to her responsibility. and after
some delays. which we overlooked
because they were not too serious,
the picture went on. However, it
became apparent, with additional
delays. that the production was
running into serious trouble and
there was a possibility that we
might not be able to actually fin
ish the film.
The studio then brought on
medical adviser, who had been
associated with treating her in
Boston. This was in addition to
medical advice and attention that
had been given to Miss Garland
during these months by Los An
geles doctors who were under the
direction of the Boston specialists.
Gave Star Vacation.
Following completion Of Sum
mer Stock and after consultation
with the doctors in Boston who
thought Miss Garland needed ad-
ditional treatment to effect COM
plete recovery. the studio placed
her on vacation status. After a
rest of two months Miss Garland
reported that she was feeling fine
and that physicians of her own
choosing considered her over all
her difficulties. She looked and
acted in excellent condition and
appeared in best of spirits.
Some time thereafter we learned
that June Allyson, who was to
appear in Royal Wedding was to
have baby. With assurances
from Miss Garland that she was