TIMELINE PART ONE:

• December 29, 1944:  Judy’s first day of work on The Harvey Girls.  On this day, Judy rehearsed the numbers ‘It’s A Great Big World” and “On The Atchison, Topeka, And The Santa Fe.”  Time called: 10 a.m.; dismissed: 12:20 p.m.
• January 2, 1945:  Wardrobe fittings.  Time called: 10 a.m.; dismissed: 2:45 p.m.
• January 3, 1945:  Wardrobe and hair tests.  Time called: 10:30 a.m.; Judy arrived at 12:20 p.m.; dismissed: 5:30 p.m.
• January 5, 1945:  Pre-recording session for “It’s A Great Big World.”  time called: 1 p.m.; Judy arrived at 1:15 p.m.; dismissed: 4:30 p.m.
• January 6, 1945:  Rehearsals of “On The Atchison, Topeka, And The Santa Fe.”  Time called: 2 p.m.; dismissed: 4 p.m.  The assistant director’s notes state: “after finished rehearsal with Bob Alton at 3:00, [Judy] went over to rehearse with Kay Thompson.”
• January 8, 1945:  Pre-recording session for “On The Atchison, Topeka, And The Santa Fe.”  Time called: 10 a.m.; dismissed: 6:45 p.m.
• January 9, 1945:  Rehearsal of “It’s A Great Big World.”  Time called: 10 a.m.; dismissed: 4:45 p.m.
• January 10, 1945:  Per the assistant director’s notes: “Judy had an 11:00 a.m. ready call to make wardrobe tests.  She arrived at the studio at 10:45.  At 12 noon she called Griffin – an assistant on the picture – to say she wouldn’t be ready till after lunch.  Lunch was at 12:30 and on return she still was not ready; she arrived on the set at 3:07 p.m. all made up but not in wardrobe; she came on set dressed at 3:25.  At 4:00 she left the stage without making a test, for a conference with LB [Mayer] and did not return to the stage again.”
• January 11, 1945:  Per the assistant director’s notes: “Judy Garland had a 10 a.m. makeup call to be ready on the set at 1 p.m.  She arrived at the studio at 12:12 and came on the set at 1:48.”  Judy “tested changes,” and was dismissed at 4:30 p.m.
• January 12, 1945:  The first day of filming.  Per the assistant director’s notes:  “Last night Judy Garland was given a call for this morning, by the assistant: 8:00 in makeup; 10:10 ready on set.  She told him she wouldn’t be in until 8:30 as she didn’t need more than an hour and a half for makeup.  This morning she arrived at the studio at 9:25, onstage at 10:50, went into her dressing room and didn’t come on the set until 11:25.”  The scenes shot were on the “Exterior Balcony” an “Interior Dormitory” sets.  Judy was dismissed at 6:12 p.m.  Filming continued on the “Interior Dormitory” set through March 16th.
• January 17, 1945:  Judy had wardrobe fittings from 1:30 to 3:15 p.m.  Later than evening she appeared on the NBC radio broadcast of “Esquire’s 2nd Annual All-American Jazz Concert” which was broadcast live from The Los Angeles Philharmonic Auditorium.
• January 18, 1945:  Judy had rehearsals from 2:30 to 3:40 p.m. then she posed for promotional photos at the studio’s portrait studios.  These are the photos of Judy wearing a striped shirt in a haystack.
• January 19, 1945:  More rehearsals of the “Atchison” number.  Time called: 2:30 p.m.; Judy arrived at 3 p.m.; dismissed: 3:30 p.m.  The assistant director’s notest state: “JG was to have a fitting at 1:15; then rehearse at 2:30; she called off the fitting and reported for rehearsal at 3:00 p.m.”
• January 22, 1945:  Filming continued on the “Exterior Sandrock Street,” “Exterior Alhambra,” and the “Exterior Station” sets which was the “Western Street” on MGM’s Backlot #3, dressed up as the fictional town of “Sandrock.”  Time called: 10 a.m.; Judy arrived on time, dismissed: 1 p.m.
• January 23, 1945:  Judy had wardrobe fittings and was on “standby.”  Time called: 1:30 p.m.; dismissed: 2:30 p.m.
• January 25, 1945:  Filming continued on the “Interior Harvey House” set.  Time called: 10 a.m.; Judy arrived at 11:15 a.m.; dismissed: 5:10 p.m.
• January 26, 1945:  Per the assistant director’s notes: “Miss Garland called at 3:20 this morning to say that she was not feeling well and could not come to work today.  We will try and shoot whatever we can without her.”  Later that evening from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Judy had a recording session for Decca Records.  She recorded “This Heart Of Mine” and “Love.” 
• January 27, 1945:  Filming continued on the “Interior Harvey House” set with the “Training Montage” sequence.  Time called: 10 a.m.; Judy arrived at 10:40 a.m.; dismissed: 2:45 p.m.
• January 29, 1945:  Filming continued on the “Interior R.R. Engine and Train” and “Interior Dormitory” sets.  Time called: 1 p.m.; Judy arrived at 2 p.m.; dismissed: 5:55 p.m.
• February 1, 1945:  Judy had a wardrobe fitting.  Time called: 2 p.m.; Judy arrived at 2:15 p.m.; dismissed: 3:15 p.m.
• February 3, 1945:  Per the assistant director’s notes: “Judy Garland’s house was called this morning by Assistant Director to give her a 2:00 call for rehearsal.  Her mother, who answered the phone, said that would be impossible as judy had teeth pulled yesterday afternoon and last night at midnight and would not be able to come in.”
• February 7, 1945:  Rehearsals of the “Round and Round” and “Picnic sequence” numbers.  Time called: 10 a.m.; Judy arrived at 2 p.m.; dismissed: 5 p.m.  It’s unclear what the “Picnic sequence” number was although a good guess would be that it was probably the deleted “Hayride” number.
• February 9, 1945:  The notes written by the assistant director were quite detailed for this day: “At 4:30 p.m. yesterday, Thursday, the company called Miss Garland to giver her Friday’s shooting call.  At this time Miss Garland advised the company that she could not work until possibly Monday due to having two teeth extracted and for which a bridge was being made.  At 12:45 pm. today, Friday, I telephoned Miss Garland at her studio dressing room to inquire if the situation was the same and she advised it was.  Mr. Grady [an assistant] communicated with Miss Garland’s dentist, Dr. Pinckus, and received the information that Miss Garland will receive the bridge on Saturday, wear it Saturday and Sunday and be in Dr. Pinckus’s office on Monday morning, for a checkup.  Mr. Grady therefore advises Miss Garland should be ready at 1 p.m. on Monday for shooting purposes IF the dentist reports the bridge satisfactory.  Under the present conditions it would not be wise for the company to plan a shooting day on Lot 3 on Monday, with a big crew and talent list, on the possibility of getting a couple hours work in the event Miss Garland is available.  Inasmuch as we have nothing to shoot at this time without Miss Garland we must also avoid a shooting call for Saturday.  We therefore plan on rehearsing musical numbers Saturday and Monday.”  The AD reports for this date state: “Judy Garland was given 1:00 shooting call which she didn’t accept on account of her teeth.  The call was then changed to a 1:00 p.m. wardrobe fitting; she didn’t come in for fittings.”
• February 12, 1945:  Judy was back at the studio after the aforementioned dental drama.  On this day she rehearsed the “Round and Round” and “Hayride” numbers.  Time called: 2 p.m.; Judy was early, arriving at 1:55 p.m.; dismissed: 4:50 p.m.
• February 13, 1945:  The production was back on MGM’s Lot 3, the “Western Street” shooting scenes on the “Exterior R.R. Station” set.  Time called: 10 a.m.; Judy arrived at 10:05 a.m.; dismissed: 3 p.m.
• February 15, 1945:  Judy had a wardrobe fitting, time called: 1 p.m.; Judy arrived at 2:10 p.m.; dismissed: 2:55 p.m.  Afterward, Judy had a rehearsal with Kay Thompson which was originally scheduled for 2:30 p.m. but obviously Judy didn’t make that having not been dismissed from that wardrobe fitting until 2:55 p.m.  Judy arrived at this rehearsal at 3 p.m.; dismissed: 4 p.m. 
• February 16, 1945:  Pre-recording session of the “My Intuition” number with co-star John Hodiak.  Judy also recorded her solo of “In The Valley.”  Time called: 1:30 p.m.; Judy arrived on the recording stage at 1:30 p.m.; dismissed: 4:40 p.m.
• February 17, 1945:  Another pre-recording session, this time for “In The Valley” (deleted reprise version); and “March of the Doagies.”  Time called: 1 p.m.; dismissed: 4:17 p.m. 
• February 19, 1945:  Another pre-recording session.  Judy was joined by co-star Ray Bolger and the MGM “Dancer Chorus” (according to the Daily Music Report).  The songs pre-recorded were “Swing Your Partner” and the ultimately deleted “Hayride.”  Time called: 1 p.m.; Judy arrived at 1:16 p.m.; dismissed: 5:45 p.m.
• February 20, 1945:  Filming continued on the “Interior Alhambra” set as well as rehearsals for “Hayride” and “Round and Round.”  Time called: 1 p.m.; Judy arrived at 1:16 p.m.; dismissed: 5:45 p.m.
• February 21, 1945:  Filming continued on the “Exterior R.R. Station” set, on MGM’s Lot 3, the “Western Street” dressed up as the fictional town of “Sandrock.”
• February 23, 1945:  The third day in a row of filming on the “Exterior R.R. Station” set.  The assistant director’s notes state: “4:48-4:55 – Waiting for Miss Garland to come out of dressing room – she doesn’t feel well.  Note: Due to Miss Garland’s disposition were unable to shoot last shot on lot 3.”  Time called: 10 a.m.; Judy arrived at 10:10 a.m.; dismissed: 4:55 p.m.
• February 24, 1945:  The production moved to the “Interior Alhambra” set.  Time called: 3 p.m.; Judy arrived on time; dismissed: 6:10 p.m.
• February 28, 1945:  Filming moved to the “Exterior Alhambra” set.  The assistant director’s notest state: “3:35-3:42: Mr Sidney [the film’s director, George Sidney] discussing scene with Judy Garland who, by the way, is still in slacks and hair not combed out, although she had a 3:00 ready call; she told Mr. Sidney that she was promised the scene would be rewritten and would rather not (shoot the scene) until then.  Mr. Sidney then decided to do scene with her and Chill Wills on Ext. Alhambra; Chill Wills, who had no call, was phoned for 3:45-4:29: Line and Light long shot with Garland and Wills; meantime, Sidney discussing scene above with Garland and Roger Edens; at 4:15 Miss Garland was sent to her dressing tom to get read for scene on Ext. Alhambra; Chill Wills Ready at 4:30; 4:29-4:47: Waiting for JG to get ready.”  The company was dismissed at 5:55 p.m.
• March 1, 1945:  The production moved to the “Interior Alhambra” set.  The assistant director’s notes stage: “5:01-5:12 – Time Lost in discussion; Miss Garland told assistant director she was ill and would have to go to her room to lie down but might be back in 15 minutes; director decided to setup on an over shoulder shot sof Susan and Em.”  Time called: 1 p.m.; Judy arrived at 1:10 p.m.; dismissed: 5:12 p.m.  Later that evening, the film’s producer Arthur Freed’s assistant Don Loper held a betrothal dinner for Judy and Vincente Minnelli.
• March 5, 1945:  After a few days off, Judy was back on the “Interior Alhambra” set.  Time called: 10 a.m.; Judy arrived at 11:09 a.m.; dismissed: 5:05 p.m.
• March 8, 1945:  The assistant director’s notes state: “Judy Garland had an 11 a.m. call; she phoned from her dressing room at 10:50 and asked whether we needed her.  Assistant Director told her we would phone her when needed.  At 11:15 Assistant Director phoned her and told her she would be needed 1 p.m.; then changed it to 1:30 call; she was ready at 2:11.”  Dismissed: 6:05 p.m.
• March 9, 1945:  The production moved to the “Interior Harvey House” set.  The assistant director’s notes state: “4:50-5:15 – Discovered Judy didn’t like the way her hair was being fixed; her own hairdresser went home ill this morning and the substitute couldn’t seem to hit the right note.  It would take too long for Judy to get ready and as Judy had recording to make right after six it was decided not to shoot anymore tonight.”  The company was dismissed at 5:20 p.m.  The recording session mentioned was one that Judy had with Decca Records.  She recorded the following duets with Bing Crosby: “Connecticut” and “Yah-Ta-Ta, Yah-Ta-Ta (Talk, Talk, Talk).”  
• March 10, 1945:  The assistant director’s notes state: “8:30-9:10: Judy’s makeup woman [Dottie Ponedel] phoned from Judy’s room that Judy wasn’t feeling well and it would take her longer, she was still under the drier and would be late – she didn’t know just how late.”  Judy arrived on the set at 4 p.m.; dismissed: 5:45 p.m.  The scene shot was “of Judy entering train.”
• March 12, 1945:  The first of several days of filming on the “Interior Rail Road Coach” set.  Time called: 10 a.m.; Judy arrived at 10:25 a.m.; dismissed: 5:10 p.m.
• March 15, 1945:  Filming continued on the “Interior Rail Road Coach” set as well as the “Interior Parlor” set.  Time called: 10 a.m.; Judy arrived at 10:35 a.m.; dismissed: 5:50 p.m.
• March 16, 1945:  The production moved to the “Interior Harvey House Party” set for several days.  Time called: 1 p.m.; dismissed: 5:30 p.m.
• March 20, 1945:  The “Round and Round” number was filmed on the “Interior Harvey House Party” set.  Per the assistant director’s notes: “11:48-12:20 Rehearse w/JG although she said we could not shoot with her as her hair was done wrong and would have to be done over – it was decided to call lunch; 1:20-1:49 – Rehearse w/Harvey Girls and stand-in while waiting for JG who was dissatisfied with her hair arrangement, which was done by other than her own hairdresser who is ill – Judy hair had to be done all over; 1:49-2:55 – Waiting for JG; she returned to the stage at 2:47, ready at 2:55.”  The company was dismissed at 6:40 p.m.  Filming on the “Interior Harvey House Party” lasted for several days.
• March 27, 1945:  The first day of filming the “March Of The Doagies” number on the “Interior Harvey House” set.  The assistant director’s notes state: “10:20-10:22 – Waiting for Judy – She meantime called Bob Alton and said she didn’t like the steps in number; Note: JG due at 10 a.m.; called at 10:15 from her dressing room and said she wasn’t feeling well and would like to rest as long as possible – she was told we would need her within a few minutes; 10:22-10:51 – still waiting for Judy, Bob Alton rehearsed Garland’s substitute and rest of cast in changed steps; 10:51-11:02 – waiting for Judy; 11:02-11:14 – Judy arrived but not dressed – rehearsed cast while Judy watched; 11:14-11:45 – Rehearsed cast and Judy’s substitute with camera moves in changed routine of number;11:45-12:15 – added lighting for changed routine; 12:15-1:15 – Lunch; JG did not return from lunch until 2 p.m. – 45 minutes late.”  Dismissed: 5 p.m.
• March 28 & 29, 1945:  Judy was out sick.  On the 28th she arrived at the studio but immediately went home sick.
• March 30, 1945:  The production moved to the “Exterior Harvey House” and “Exterior Alhambra” sets on MGM’s Backlot #3, the “Western Street” dressed up as the fictional town of “Sandrock.”
• March 31, 1945:  Filming continued on the “Western Street” on MGM’s Backlot #3, the “Exterior Harvey Hour,” “Exterior Street,” and “Exterior Garden” sets.  The assistant director’s notes state: “8:57-11:40 – Waiting for Garland; due on set at 10 a.m.; at 9:15 she phoned that her makeup woman [Dottie Ponedel] was ill, that she didn’t think that anyone else could make her up properly; Dave Friedman and cameraman went up to her room to see her and persuaded her to get made up by Bill Tuttle; she consented and arrived on Lot #3 madeup at 10:45 but not ready until 11:05 – all dressed and madeup, but found that she has wrong hairdo; she had to be sent to dept. to have hair done over, and was ready on set at 1:18 p.m.”  The company was dismissed at 5:40 p.m.