Judy Garland was born Francis Ethel Gumm on June 10, 1922, in Grand Rapids, Minn. If she was still with us today she would be 102. Regrettably, she passed away at just 47 on June 22, 1969.
Although she has been gone for 55 years now, she remains an LGBTQ+ icon that spans generations, for 20-somethings to senior citizens.
What was it about this woman that so captured the devotion and attention of our community? Historical records confirm she was supportive and always an ally long before mainstream society found that acceptable.
But many people think it’s something more than just that.
Some believe her personal struggles with addiction, mental health issues and the pressure of fame resonated deeply with the LGBTQ community, especially during a time when being openly gay was highly stigmatized.
Her role as Dorothy in the classic film The Wizard of Oz led to the phrase “a friend of Dorothy” as a downlow phrase, which generally indicated someone was gay or lesbian.
Then there are her multiple marriages. Married a total of five times, two of them were gay men: Vincente Minnelli and Mark Herron.
Garland’s film career is of exceptional note. In 1940 she won an Academy Juvenile Award for her role in The Wizard of Oz (and another performance in the film Babes in Arms). As an adult she was nominated for best actress in the film A Star Is Born, but lost to Grace Kelly; and in 1962 she was nominated for best supporting actress for her performance in the movie “Judgment at Nuremberg.” She lost again, this time to Rita Moreno for her role in “West Side Story.”
Garland’s final film was made largely in the United Kingdom and released in 1963. In “I Could Go on Singing,” she started alongside gay actor Dirk Bogarde as a troubled American stage performer who hoped to re-establish a relationship with the child she had with Bogarde years earlier. The film isn’t easy to find for streaming, but it is available on digital disc, and, currently, YouTube.
Like many performers of her era, Garland was interviewed countless times over the years and often asked to share favorite recipes.
In this installation of Holiday Treats we’ve decided to step outside sweets and go for a main course. Judy Garland’s Ham Casserole was one of her personal favorites. Perhaps you’ll enjoy serving it at an upcoming seasonal celebration while listening to some of Garland’s celebrated music or taking in one of her many classic films.
Judy Garland’s Ham Casserole with Sherry
Preheat oven to 350 degrees, baking time 45 minutes. Serves six to eight.
4 cups ground or cubed cooked ham
2 cups cooked
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 eggs, well beaten
2 tomatoes, peeled and chopped
2 tablespoons diced green pepper
1 tablespoon of grated or diced onion
1 teaspoon prepared mustard
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/3 cup sherry wine
3/4 cup bread crumbs
1 tablespoon butter, melted
1/2 teaspoon paprika
Combine the ham, rice, cream, eggs, tomatoes, pepper, onion, mustard, Worcestershire sauce and sherry. Mix well and transfer to a greased two-quart casserole dish. Mix the bread crumbs, melted butter and paprika, then sprinkle on top of the ham mixture.