She is an extremely clever little artist

In September 1935, 13-year-old Judy Garland signed a seven-year contract with MGM at a starting salary of $100 a week. It would take some time, however, before Judy made her first feature film for the studio. Her debut film Pigskin Parade (1936) was on loan-out to 20th Century-Fox and her first MGM appearance was in the musical short Every Sunday (1936) with Deanna Durbin. It wasn't until 1937 that MGM finally put her into her first feature film, Broadway Melody of 1938, starring Eleanor Powell and Robert Taylor. In the film Judy sang You Made Me Love You (I Didn't Want to Do It) to a photograph of Clark Gable, her performance turning her into an overnight success. 

About a year earlier, in June 1936, while still waiting to be cast in her first film, Judy was sent by MGM on a promotional tour to New York City. It was her first visit to the Big Apple, during which she made several appearances on the Rudy Vallee radio show and recorded Stompin' at the Savoy with Decca Records (the first single she ever released). Furthermore, Judy paid a visit to MGM's New York offices, where she met executives like Nicholas Schenck and MGM representative Florence Browning.

Before Judy left for New York, Ida Koverman had given her a letter of introduction to take with her and give to Miss Browning at MGM. Koverman was executive secretary to MGM's boss Louis B. Mayer and is regarded as one of the most powerful women in Hollywood during the 1930's and 40's. She was a big supporter of Judy and was also the one who had convinced Mayer to sign her. Koverman's letter to Browning, in which she has nothing but good things to say about young Judy, is seen below. Also shown is a letter from Judy to Koverman after she had just arrived in New York as well as Koverman's reply. (Incidentally, in her letter to Browning, Koverman said that Judy was twelve years old although she was about to turn fourteen.)

Transcript:

June 1st, 1936

Dear Florence:

This will be presented to you by little Judy Garland, who is under contract to us. 

She is twelve years old and an extremely clever little artist. Her mother, who will be with her, plays her accompaniments, and I hope you will be able to arrange to hear her sing a few numbers. She is really a marvellous child. 

Her agent is taking her East to try to book her in some of the theatres, and I think it would be very wise to have someone connected with our office see the child before she gets into an opposition house. 

She sings very well and is an excellent dancer, and does the Eleanor Powell routines, and is a little genius.

In addition to this she is a dear little thing, and I am devoted to her. I know you will like her too.

Sincerely yours, 

Miss Florence Browning,

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Corporation,

1540 Broadway,

New York City.

Transcript: 

June 5, 1936

Dear Mrs. Koverman-

We arrived today in New York. I could hardly wait to write you to tell you how thrilled and dazed I am. 

We were at the M.G.M. offices today and saw Miss Florence, Mr. Rubin, Mr. Schenck and so forth. They were all so lovely to me. 

I hope my singing pleased them. 

Thank you so much for your letter to Miss Florence. It helped me so much and I sincerely appreciate it. 

As you have found out I certainly don't take any medles [sic] for writting [sic]. 

Please forgive it

Nothing else to say except thank you again

Sincerely yours

Judy

P.S Have you Jackie Copper's [sic] address? 

I forgot to get it before I left and he told me to be sure to write to him.

Please, if you have time, answer this.

Transcript:

June 8, 1936

My dear Judy:

I was very glad to get your nice little note, and to know you are having such a thrilling time. I was sure you would like Miss Florence Browning -- she is a very fine person, and I am sure also that your singing pleased them all.

We all miss you very much and certainly will be glad to see you when you return. Do write and let me know all that happens to you.

With kindest regards to your mother and Mr. Rosen [Judy's agent], and much love to yourself, I am 

Sincerely yours,

IRK (signed)

P.S. Jackie Cooper's address is 141 South Grand Avenue, Santa Monica.

Miss Judy Garland

Edison Hotel

47th and Broadway

New York City 

Source letters: Bonhams

Two days late but still — Happy 100th Birthday, Judy!

Ida R. Koverman