"Unmasking the Alleged Evil Enchantress: The Gripping Account of Judy Garland's Mother, Ethel Marion Milne"
Controlling stage parents have long been a detrimental factor in the lives of child stars, as demonstrated by Judy Garland's experiences. The psychological toll of such controlling relationships is evident in many former child actors, with Garland serving as a poignant example.
Child stars, particularly young girls, often suffer harsh treatment, both from within and outside the entertainment industry, which can have lasting effects as they mature. The recent publication of Jennette McCurdy's book, I'm Glad My Mom Died, underscored the profound problem of manipulative parents acting as their child's manager.
McCurdy's memoir was shocking, not only for its stark title but also for the issue it illuminated: the devastating effects of a controlling "stage parent." This is a problem as old as Hollywood itself, and few stories illustrate the dynamic more vividly than that of Judy Garland and her mother, Ethel Marion Milne.
Garland's role as Dorothy in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz catapulted her to stardom, but the glamour concealed the abuse she suffered behind the scenes. At the tender age of 10, Milne began supplying her daughter with 'pep pills' to boost her energy during the day and sleeping pills to help her sleep at night. Later, she collaborated with film studios to manipulate her daughter's appearance.
This manipulation negatively impacted Garland throughout her life, leading to a lifelong struggle with addiction that culminated in her death from an overdose in 1969. Consequently, it's not surprising that she referred to her mother as "the real Wicked Witch of the West."
Ethel Marion Milne was born on Nov 6, 1893, in Michigamme, Michigan. Growing up in Superior, Wisconsin, she developed an early interest in vaudeville entertainment that eventually led to her obsession with performing. In 1914, she married a vaudevillian and theater manager named Francis "Frank" Gumm. The couple ran the New Grand Theatre in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, where they allowed their daughters, including Judy, to perform.
However, their relationship eventually deteriorated due to Frank's extramarital affairs. Ethel then took sole control of their daughters' careers, with a particular focus on Judy. The family moved to California in 1926, where Judy's career took off. Despite this, she continued to endure her mother's controlling behavior and biased management.
Garland faced harsh treatment, performing at unsavory venues, and punishments for hesitation. Her mother also controlled her diet, pushing her to lose weight to meet industry standards. This obsession with her appearance later contributed to Garland's drug addiction.
Despite her success in The Wizard of Oz, Garland's life remained under studio head Louis B. Mayer's scrutiny. He criticized her appearance, referring to her as "my little hunchback" due to her small stature and curvature of the spine.
The pressures Garland faced, combined with her mother's domineering influence and studio control, took a severe toll on her mental health. She felt "wanted" only when performing and struggled with anorexia, self-doubt, anxiety, and chronic depression.
Garland's mother, Ethel Marion Milne, died in a parking lot in Santa Monica, California, in 1953. By then, Garland had distanced herself from her mother, who had reportedly mistreated her and was complicit in her struggles.
In summary, the long-term consequences of controlling stage parents, as demonstrated by Judy Garland's experiences, include severe mental health issues, loss of autonomy, trust issues, and ongoing difficulties in personal and professional life. Garland's case underscores the damaging legacy such parents can leave on their children's well-being.
Cases like Garland's highlight the urgent need for increased protection and support for child actors, ensuring that their emotional and physical well-being remains a priority in the entertainment industry.
- The detrimental effects of controlling stage parents extend beyond the realm of entertainment, influencing the mental health, physical well-being, and overall life direction of child stars.
- The history of Hollywood is rife with examples of controlling parents, such as Ethel Marion Milne, whose domineering management and manipulative behavior heavily impacted child stars like Judy Garland.
- The importance of health-and-wellness, including mental health, in child actors' lives is paramount, as demonstrated through the tragic experiences of Judy Garland and countless others who have fallen victim to controlling stage parents.
