As noted above, any filmmaker or studio preparing a musical film usually wanted Judy as a star or guest star. Even in the years when Judy’s reputation for unreliability was at its worst, filmmakers still (if only wistfully) considered her for various projects. After she left MGM and found triumph on the stage and with her Oscar-nominated 1954 film comeback in A Star Is Born, producers and directors of dramas increasingly wanted Judy for her acting abilities, and not just her singing. Her subsequent Oscar-nominated supporting role in Judgment At Nuremberg and triumph at New York’s Carnegie Hall, both in 1961, made Judy Garland a hot property, again.
As with many of the other titles listed here, some are merely rumors or conjecture – or a result of creative PR people attempting to get print space for various projects.
The following are films that Judy was allegedly in the running for at other studios/production companies before, during, and after her tenure with MGM.
Photo: Snapshot of Judy in 1952.
The Unexpected Father (Universal – 1932) – This Universal film starring Zasu Pitts is the earliest known feature film that Judy (then still Frances Gumm) was considered for. Her role was played in the finished film by Cora Sue Collins.
Pigskin Parade Sequel (20th Century-Fox, circa 1937) – A sequel to Judy’s feature film debut was suggested, but never made.
Pot O’ Gold (United Artists, 1940) – It’s reported that director George Marshall wanted to borrow Judy from MGM and co-star her with James Stewart. The film was released in 1941 starring Stewart and Paulette Goddard.
Claudia (David O. Selznick, 1941) – Judy expressed interest in starring in the film version of the 1939 book “Claudia: The Story of A Marriage” and its subsequent Broadway play. The play ran from 1941 – 1943 and starred Dorothy McGuire, who recreated the title role for her film debut in the 1943 film version made by 20th Century-Fox.
Saratoga Trunk (Warner Bros., 1944) – Warner Bros. supposedly wanted Judy for the lead. The film was released in 1946 starring Gary Cooper and Ingrid Bergman.
The Shocking Miss Pilgrim (20th Century-Fox, 1946) – Fox wanted Judy for the lead, eventually played by Betty Grable in 1947.
The USO Story (RKO – 1950) – Another patriotic all-star salute to the Armed Forces, this time featuring stars entertaining troops for the U.S.O. (United Service Organization). The film was never made.
The King And I (20th Century-Fox – 1950) – Fox had an exclusive agreement with Rodgers & Hammerstein as their studio of choice for any film project, especially adaptations of their stage successes. The team supposedly first came to Fox with the idea for an original musical film version of “Anna & The King Of Siam” in 1950. The project never materialized, and it’s possible this is just rumor or wishful thinking on the part of Rodgers & Hammerstein. A short while later “Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The King and I” opened on Broadway in 1951 with Yul Brynner and Gertrude Lawrence. Too quick of a turnaround to ax a Garland project in 1950 and have it reformatted for the stage, ready to open on Broadway in 1951 with a new cast, songs, and rehearsal/tryout period.
Judy’s colossal success at the London Palladium in 1951 followed by even greater success at New York’s Palace Theatre in 1951/52 prompted Hollywood to consider her for several film roles that never materialized:

- Just For You (aka Famous) (with Bing Crosby) – The film was made with Crosby and Jane Wyman in 1952.
- Meet Me In New York – Sally Benson’s sequel to Meet Me In St. Louis. It’s speculated that this is the same as her 1952 screenplay titled 14 Fifth Avenue. In 1951, columnist Sheilah Graham noted that Judy would star in the Broadway version of the story.
- A film biography of Buddy DeSylva (with Bing Crosby)
Paramount wanted Judy to co-star with Bing Crosby and “Hopalong Cassidy” in a western. - Kiss Me Kate – made by MGM in 1953.

- The Jane Froman Story – Eventually released in 1953 as With A Song In My Heart starring Susan Hayward
- The Stubborn Wood (1951/1953) – Paul Henried wanted to make this film, based on the 1948 Emily Harvin novel about a husband who has his wife put in an insane asylum just to get her out of his life. That would have been interesting.
Do Re Mi (1952) – Universal planned to film this at the suggestion of Garson Kanin. Kanin’s idea was to surround Judy with “passe mugs” like Edward G. Robinson and George Raft, with the added feature of guest spots by the pop stars of the day such as Peggy Lee and Jo Stafford. Kanin is quoted as listing Eddie Fisher among these names, although at the time this project was proposed Fisher was in the U.S. Army and by 1953 was making TV appearances, in uniform, as a vocalist for the U.S. Army Band. Kanin may have seen him on TV, but it’s doubtful that Fisher would have made a list of top pop stars to be featured in a film in 1952. This sounds more like a rumor, no factual documents have surfaced to verify the validity of this claim.
Bloodhounds Of Broadway (1952) – George Jessel wanted Judy for this 1952 20th Century-Fox musical. Mitzi Gaynor was given the role.
Paint Your Wagon (1952) – Louis B. Mayer was fired from MGM not long after Judy. He attempted to make independent films, and on his list was a film version of this Lerner & Lowe musical to star Judy. That never happened, and the musical was finally made in 1969 starring Lee Marvin and Clint Eastwood. Yes, they both “sing” in this colossal film musical flop. Mayer also wanted to make The Judy Garland Story at this same time.
The Road To Bali (1952) – After Judy’s big success at the London Palladium, Paramount reportedly made an offer to Sid Luft for Judy to star with Bing Crosby and Bob Hope in the latest Road picture. Sid turned the offer down.
Pygmalion/My Fair Lady (Stage 1952) – In a 1952 interview, Judy mentioned that she was wanted for a proposed Broadway musical version of “Pygmalion.” That became Lerner & Lowe’s 1956 Broadway mega-hit “My Fair Lady” starring Julie Andrews and Rex Harrison.
The Fanny Brice Story (aka The Fabulous Fanny) (early 1950s) – Not to be confused with the late 1930’s MGM project title “The Fanny Brice Story.” This is the version that eventually became “Funny Girl” starring Barbra Streisand on Broadway in 1964 (and the 1968 film version). It was originally a film musical idea for Judy from producer Ray Stark, who was the late Brice’s son-in-law. The screenplay for that version was by Isobel Lennart who later adapted it for the stage musical. The project was based on the 1953 biography, “The Fabulous Fanny.” Judy’s loss was Barbara’s gain.
Butterfield 8 (the mid-1950s) – Judy was supposedly considered for the role eventually played in the 1960 film by Elizabeth Taylor. Taylor won the first of her two Best Actress Oscars for this film.
Careless Love (mid-1950s) – A project based around the song “Frankie & Johnny.”
Manhattan Tower (circa 1956) – Possibly a Paramount project, based on Gordon Jenkins’ concept album, starring Judy with Bing Crosby and Bob Hope. In 1959 Jenkins and Judy would create another concept album “The Letter.”
All About Eve (20th Century-Fox – 1957) – There was talk of making a film musical version of the 1950 Oscar winner for Best Picture that starred Bette Davis and Anne Baxter. Judy would have played the role made famous by Davis; Margo Channing. “Eve” was to be played by Peggy King. Another idea consisted of having Cole Porter write the songs. All About Eve the musical made it to Broadway in 1970 as “Applause” starring Lauren Bacall, who won the Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical. The book for the new show was written by previous Freed Unit wunderkinds Betty Comden and Adolph Green, with music and lyrics by Charles Strouse and Lee Adams. The show also won the Tony for Best Musical of the year.
Spring Reunion (1957) – United Artists had Judy on their wish list for this project. The final film was released in 1957 with Betty Hutton playing the role of Margaret “Maggie” Brewster.
The Unsinkable Molly Brown (stage 1960) – While in London in 1960 Judy’s agents were in talks for her to possibly star in the London production of the popular musical. People have assumed that Judy was in the running for the film version, but in reality, it was this London project. Debbie Reynolds would receive an Oscar nomination for “Best Actress” for her performance in the 1964 musical (made at MGM, partly on the “St. Louis” street created for Judy’s 1944 Meet Me In St. Louis, and directed by Easter Parade director Charles Walters).
A Tree Grows In Brooklyn (20th Century-Fox – 1961) – Judy was always mentioned in various talks about bringing the 1951 musical version of the famous book by Betty Smith to the screen. Judy would have played “Aunt Cissy,” played on Broadway by Shirley Booth. The musical never made it to the screen.
Hold Back the Dawn (stage 1961) – On March 6, 1961, Hedda Hopper reported that Judy was considering three plays: One with Dorothy Fields writing lyrics to the late Jerome Kern’s scores; a musical version of the play “Hold Back the Dawn”, and a show reportedly being written by Roger Edens. None of these were ever made.

By the Beautiful Sea (stage 1961) – On May 5, 1961, Hedda Hopper reported that Chuck Walters intended to direct Judy in the film version of the 1954 Dorothy Fields Broadway musical (not to be confused with the Fields/Kern project listed above) about a Coney Island boarding house owner in the early 1900s that had starred Shirley Booth. No film of this show has ever been made.
Gypsy (1962) – Judy was one of several stars mentioned for the pivotal role of “Mama Rose” the film version of Ethel Merman’s Broadway triumph. Other actresses mentioned: Merman, Judy Holliday, Ann-Margaret (as “Gypsy”). Rosalind Russell got the role.
Irma la Douce (1961) – Judy was supposedly in the running for the film version of the 1960 Broadway musical. The show made it to the screen in 1963 without the songs and co-starring Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine.
It’s A Mad Mad Mad Mad World (United Artists, 1963) – Director Stanley Kramer wanted Judy to be one of the many cameos in this star-studded comedy.
A Handful Of Dust (circa 1962/1963) – An alleged British independent production based on the 1934 Evelyn Waugh novel, to co-star Judy with David Niven. The book was finally adapted for the screen in 1988, featuring Judi Dench, Kristin Scott Thomas, Rupert Graves, Angelica Huston, and James Wilby.
Laurette (circa, 1962) – Judy would have been amazing as the loved and respected, legendary stage actress Laurette Taylor. Director George Cukor and even the late Taylor’s daughter, Marguerite Courtney, wanted Judy for the role. The film was never made.
Little Me (Embassy Pictures – circa, 1963/64) – It was reported in contemporary papers that Judy was considered for the lead in the film version of the popular 162 musical. To date, no film of the show has been made.
New York Town (1963) – Judy was penciled in to make a guest appearance and sing “Why Was I Born” and “Chicago Can’t Touch New York” for this eventually unproduced project for Rosalind Russell, Jane Wyman, Troy Donahue, and Sandra Dee.
Little Big Man (circa, 1965/66) – Columnists listed Judy as one of the potential stars for the film version of Thomas Berger’s 1964 novel. The film was made and released in 1970 starring Dustin Hoffman and Faye Dunaway and directed by Arthur Penn.
The Night Of Generals (circa, 1965/66) – Judy was considered for a cameo in this World War II film, released by Columbia in 1967.
This Property Is Condemned (Paramount – 1966) – Judy was considered to play Natalie Wood’s mother in this film version of the Tennessee Williams play. Kate Reid played the role in the final version, released in 1966 co-starring Wood, Robert Redford, and Charles Bronson.
Our Mother’s House (1967) – Jim Johnson’s website The Judy Garland Database features a promotional photo of Judy from the 1940s used in connection with this film, but nothing else is known.
The Graduate (1967) – Judy was considered for the role of “Mrs. Robinson,” played in the finished film by Anne Bancroft.
Biographies of Aimee Semple McPherson & Edith Piaf (1967 & 1968) – In a March 1967 interview with Radie Harris, Judy said she wanted to play McPherson’s mother in a biopic about the evangelist. Meanwhile, George Cukor allegedly wanted Judy for a biopic of French singer Edith Piaf who was sometimes referred to as “The French Judy Garland.” Cukor intended to film Judy in concert singing songs Piaf made famous.
Mame (1967) – The title role of “Mame” and the role of “Mama Rose” in “Gypsy” are two roles that to this day Garland fans still talk about as being potential crowning achievements to Judy’s film career. Songwriter Jerry Herman had always wanted Judy for “Mame,” but in the late 1960s, Judy was considered too high of a liability risk due to the perception of her inability to sustain the grueling weekly schedule of a big Broadway musical. Judy had stated on a few occasions that she wanted to replace Angela Lansbury on Broadway. Judy was never seriously considered for the film adaptation, made after Judy’s death in 1974 with Lucille Ball.
The Wonderful Land Of Oz (1969) – In their January 1, 1969 issue, “Variety” reported that director Barry Mahon was negotiating to have Judy provide the narration for this film. The deal fell through, but the film was made – without narration.
The Judy Garland Story (1969) – Boston newspaper executive Ken Mayer reportedly presented his idea for a Judy Garland biopic to producer Joseph E. Levine around this time, with the intent to have Judy make an appearance in it. It’s unclear if her appearance would be as herself later in her life or as a narrator/host.
A Day In The Life Of Judy Garland (1969) – A controversial project and a part of the Garland legend from Day One. In March 1969, Judy’s husband Mickey Deans entered into an agreement with European concert promoter Arne Stivell and his Music Artists of Europe company to film a documentary about Judy titled A Day In The Life Of Judy Garland. Deans would co-produce the film with Stivell. They filmed footage of Judy in concert at The King Kroner Club in Malmo, Sweden on March 23rd. Black & white footage was also filmed two days later in Copenhagen of Judy and Deans walking around town, Judy putting on make-up for her show, and other random things. Also rumored to be filmed some footage of Judy nude in her bathroom, shot with a hidden camera. After that final concert (the final concert of Judy’s life) in Copenhagen on March 25, 1969, Stivell and the footage disappeared. Legal action was taken to prevent the film from being shown (Judy and Deans owned 25% each, while Stivell owned the remaining 50%). In 1970, thirty minutes of the footage appeared on British television under the title The Last Performance. The program included color concert footage from the March 23rd concert with audio poorly replaced with the audio of the March 25th concert. Also included in the film was some of the black and white footage of Judy and Dean as noted above. After that brief appearance, the program wasn’t seen again (although it circulated among Garland collectors) until 1995 when the American show “Entertainment Tonight” aired some of the footage as part of a story about the “recently uncovered film” coming up for auction. Allegedly Judy’s daughter Lorna Luft had lawyers for Judy’s estate stop the auction. To date, the footage has not been seen since, aside from copies of some of the footage being traded among collectors over the years. Thankfully, none of that rumored nude footage has seen the light of day.
In the years since, there have been several major television documentaries and two made-for-TV movies chronicling various aspects of Judy’s life and career, with varying degrees of success. The most successful was the 2001 miniseries Life with Judy Garland featuring Emmy award-winning performances by Tammy Blanchard and Judy Davis as the young and adult Judy, respectively. To date, it’s still the best biopic ever made about the life and career of Judy Garland.
These include the 1985 PBS documentary The Concert Years which focused mainly on Judy’s post-MGM career and brought many of her 1963/64 TV series performances to the public for the first time; the two hour documentary from the Arts & Entertainment channel (highly recommended) and the 2004 PBS documentary Judy Garland – By Myself (also highly recommended and included in the extras on the Easter Parade special edition DVD). In 2011 a film project about Judy’s life, based on the 2000 biography “Get Happy” by Gerald Clarke and possibly starring Anne Hathaway as Judy was in and out of the press. Nothing has come of it yet, although it’s still mentioned from time to time. In 2019, Renee Zellweger played Judy in the film, Judy, for which her anemic performance was lauded by many and she won multiple acting awards including the Oscar for Best Actress of 2019. Read my review of this tepid film here. Hopefully, in the future, a truly great theatrical film will be made about all of Judy’s amazing career and not just one small period.