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

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What to expect

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.

Critics Review

  • “To say that I enjoyed Melanie Gall’s book is a vast understatement! I stayed up late into the night to finish it. I learned so much through Deanna and Judy’s stories as well. I felt like I was immersed in American and European history in such an emotional and profound way, as well as the history of Hollywood, both the honorable and dark sides. As an actress, I can appreciate Deanna’s journey. This book is a must-read for any actor, young or old, who faces the journey of being in the business of Hollywood!”

    Jayne Atkinson, Tony Award–nominated actress

  • “Deanna Durbin’s star sparkles once again thanks to Gall’s gem of a biography. A gift to classic movie fans, it tells, for the first time, the fascinating story of Durbin while uncovering the magic, glamour, and grit of how movies and stars were created during the Golden Age of Hollywood.”

    Jamie Brickhouse, author of Dangerous When Wet

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