Real Life Parallels

[vardathemessage]

script:

CECIL
Brian, I tell you, I think it’s simply a matter of presentation, and with the proper back up-
 
BRIAN
Back-up! What happened to Judy Garland! What happened to all your bloody torch song rubbish!
 


Despite Brian's rage and humiliation that line is hysterically funny. The source of it was what Bowie's first manager, Ken Pitt, saw in his protégé:

"... amid the uncouth, feedback-fixated young yobbos and ersatz Mississippi Blues belters of Britain's new pop culture, here at last might be something worthy of a cultured show business professional's loyalty and toil: a personality, an artiste, a Star, a – corny but true – Judy Garland for the rock generation."

From Angela Bowie's eminently readable Backstage Passes

Comments

Re: A Wolf in Drags Clothing?

[chezbb.livejournal.com]

That's a very good observation. Bowie often uses these Anthony Newley-like vocal flourishes that make him seem vulnerable, (Wild is the Wind for example) but there is no performer more in control of what is he doing. One reason Judy was such an icon is that we all knew her as Dorothy, which only made her later appearances more poignant. Ziggy has been fascinating and sexy and brilliant but it would be a stretch to call him endearing.