Episode 77 – Revisiting MGM’s “Summer Stock” With Authors David Fantle & Tom Johnson - Part 1
07/29/24 • 30 min
On this episode of Hollywood Obsessed, host Tony Miros speaks with authors David Fantle and Tom Johnson -- whose best-selling book C’Mon, Get Happy: The Making of Summer tells the backstory of how the 1950 MGM musical "Summer Stock" starring Gene Kelly and Judy Garland was brought to the screen!
During their fascinating conversation, David and Tom tell Tony all about where their love for movie musicals came from, how they were able to interview over 250 legendary stars from the Golden Age of Hollywood including Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly when they were teenagers, why they decided to write a book about the MGM musical Summer Stock, what the relationship was like between legendary movie stars Judy Garland and Gene Kelly, what was going on at MGM and the movie industry during the time Summer Stock was being filmed, how emotionally troubled Judy was at the time, how she discovered Gene when he was starring in "Pal Joey" on Broadway, how much he loved her and tried to help her get through the shooting of the film and what Judy’s daughter Lorna Luft contributed to their research for the book.
DAVID FANTLE & TOM JOHNSON
David Fantle has interviewed more than 250 show business personalities over the past 40 years, including such legendary names as Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, James Cagney, Lucille Ball, Bob Hope, George Burns, Milton Berle, Charlton Heston, Rod Steiger and Gregory Peck. In 2004, a compilation of his interviews were published in the book, Reel to Real: 25 years of Celebrity Profiles from Vaudeville to Movies to TV. The book was recognized by Turner Classic Movies as its May 2004 “Book of the Month.” His latest book, written with his longtime collaborator Tom Johnson, titled C'mon, Get Happy: The Making of Summer Stock will be published in October 2023 by the University Press of Mississippi. Their second book of celebrity interviews, Hollywood Heyday: 75 Interviews with Golden Age Legends was published by McFarland and Company in 2018. Fantle is an adjunct professor at Marquette University in Milwaukee where he teaches courses in film, television and popular culture. He is also the former Deputy Secretary of Tourism for Wisconsin and a popular speaker on the cruise ship circuit.
Tom Johnson began his collaboration with David Fantle in 1978 as a student journalist at the University of Minnesota by co-writing an award-winning arts and entertainment column for the Minnesota Daily called “Entertainment Ltd.” Johnson was a senior editor at Netflix and has written movie reviews and features for E! Online, Moviefone and People magazine, among other publications. Johnson’s entertainment writing has been recognized with a Minnesota Newspaper Association achievement award and a National Hearst Foundation award for news writing.
To Find Out More About The Book - https://www.upress.state.ms.us/Books/C/C-mon-Get-Happy
To Purchase A Copy Go to Amazon -
https://www.amazon.com/Cmon-Get-Happy-Making-Summer/dp/1496838394
Tom Johnson’s Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/tom.johnson.543908
David Fantle’s Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/dfantle
The Official Hollywood Obsessed Website - https://www.hollywoodobsessedthepodcast.com/
Follow the Official Hollywood Obsessed Facebook Page – HOLLYWOOD OBSESSED PODCAST
Follow our Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/hollywoodobsessedpodcast/
Titles VO Talent Cam Frierson - http://camfrierson.com/voice
Music by
On this episode of Hollywood Obsessed, host Tony Miros speaks with authors David Fantle and Tom Johnson -- whose best-selling book C’Mon, Get Happy: The Making of Summer tells the backstory of how the 1950 MGM musical "Summer Stock" starring Gene Kelly and Judy Garland was brought to the screen!
During their fascinating conversation, David and Tom tell Tony all about where their love for movie musicals came from, how they were able to interview over 250 legendary stars from the Golden Age of Hollywood including Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly when they were teenagers, why they decided to write a book about the MGM musical Summer Stock, what the relationship was like between legendary movie stars Judy Garland and Gene Kelly, what was going on at MGM and the movie industry during the time Summer Stock was being filmed, how emotionally troubled Judy was at the time, how she discovered Gene when he was starring in "Pal Joey" on Broadway, how much he loved her and tried to help her get through the shooting of the film and what Judy’s daughter Lorna Luft contributed to their research for the book.
DAVID FANTLE & TOM JOHNSON
David Fantle has interviewed more than 250 show business personalities over the past 40 years, including such legendary names as Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, James Cagney, Lucille Ball, Bob Hope, George Burns, Milton Berle, Charlton Heston, Rod Steiger and Gregory Peck. In 2004, a compilation of his interviews were published in the book, Reel to Real: 25 years of Celebrity Profiles from Vaudeville to Movies to TV. The book was recognized by Turner Classic Movies as its May 2004 “Book of the Month.” His latest book, written with his longtime collaborator Tom Johnson, titled C'mon, Get Happy: The Making of Summer Stock will be published in October 2023 by the University Press of Mississippi. Their second book of celebrity interviews, Hollywood Heyday: 75 Interviews with Golden Age Legends was published by McFarland and Company in 2018. Fantle is an adjunct professor at Marquette University in Milwaukee where he teaches courses in film, television and popular culture. He is also the former Deputy Secretary of Tourism for Wisconsin and a popular speaker on the cruise ship circuit.
Tom Johnson began his collaboration with David Fantle in 1978 as a student journalist at the University of Minnesota by co-writing an award-winning arts and entertainment column for the Minnesota Daily called “Entertainment Ltd.” Johnson was a senior editor at Netflix and has written movie reviews and features for E! Online, Moviefone and People magazine, among other publications. Johnson’s entertainment writing has been recognized with a Minnesota Newspaper Association achievement award and a National Hearst Foundation award for news writing.
To Find Out More About The Book - https://www.upress.state.ms.us/Books/C/C-mon-Get-Happy
To Purchase A Copy Go to Amazon -
https://www.amazon.com/Cmon-Get-Happy-Making-Summer/dp/1496838394
Tom Johnson’s Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/tom.johnson.543908
David Fantle’s Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/dfantle
The Official Hollywood Obsessed Website - https://www.hollywoodobsessedthepodcast.com/
Follow the Official Hollywood Obsessed Facebook Page – HOLLYWOOD OBSESSED PODCAST
Follow our Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/hollywoodobsessedpodcast/
Titles VO Talent Cam Frierson - http://camfrierson.com/voice
Music by
Previous Episode
Episode 76 – Return To The Batcave With “Batman” Star Burt Ward - Part 2
During the second half of Tony’s fascinating conversation with actor Burt Ward they discuss how martial arts legend Bruce Lee did his very first on-screen fight scene with him on an episode of “Batman”, how he was denied having a stunt double during his initial time playing Robin as the stuntman did not resemble him, his unfortunate string of emergency room visits his first week shooting Batman due to the dangerous stunts they had him do on set, how the bulge in his tights enraged the Catholic League of Decency leading to the studio taking drastic measures to fix the problem, his memories of all the world famous guest stars they had on the show week after week, how he went from playing the Boy Wonder on TV to becoming a canine and cat crusader in real life, the heartwarming story of how he & his wife have saved thousands of dogs through their pet rescue & adoption charitable organization Gentle Giants, how they created the healthiest dog & cat food in the world called Gentle Giants Pet Food, and his thoughts about finally receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame!
BURT WARD
The Making of a Superhero – A Life of Intense Dedication
From an illustrious beginning as the world’s youngest professional ice skater at two years of age in his father’s traveling ice show
. . . . to becoming the world’s fastest reader while in high school reading 30,000 words per minute with 90% comprehension as tested by The American Medical Society of Beverly Hills
. . . . to an aspiring young actor at UCLA whose first acting interview landed him the role of Robin the Boy Wonder in the famed 1966 Batman television series that became the #1 rated TV Show in the world
. . . . to creating and operating with his wife, Tracy, Gentle Giants Rescue and Adoptions, the world’s largest giant breed dog rescue during the last 30 years, saving more than 15,500 dogs and hundreds of cats, finding each and every one a safe, forever home
. . . . to also creating with Tracy Gentle Giants Natural Non GMO Pet Food and Gentle Giants Special Feeding and Care program for dogs and cats that has them living as long as 30 plus healthy, active years with a wonderful quality of life
. . . . to recently receiving two awards from the President of the United States - The President’s Volunteer Service Award for rescuing many thousands of dogs and cats during the last 30 years and The President's Lifetime Achievement Award for creating Gentle Giants unique Pet Foods and Gentle Giants Special Feeding and Care Program to help precious pets live longer and healthier
In addition, at the same time, The United Nations Association of America awarded both Burt and Tracy individually their Humanitarian Award
Burt Ward has dedicated his life to accomplishment and charity.
Official Burt Ward Website https://www.burtwardrobintheboywonder.com
Gentle Giants Pet Food https://www.gentlegiantsdogfood.com
The Official Hollywood Obsessed Website https://www.hollywoodobsessedthepodcast.com/
Follow the Official Hollywood Obsessed Facebook Page HOLLYWOOD OBSESSED PODCAST
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Titles VO Talent – Cam Frierson http://camfrierson.com/voice
Music by QubeSounds from Pixabay
Next Episode
Episode 78 – Revisiting MGM’s“Summer Stock” With Authors David Fantle & Tom Johnson – Part 2
During the second half of Tony’s informative conversation with authors David Fantle and Tom Johnson they discuss what has been the reaction they’ve gotten from critics and film lovers since the book came out, which actor - Eddie Bracken or Phil Silvers - was the true comic release in the film, how generous Judy Garland was with her friends, how much she disliked the studio suits like up-and-coming head of production of MGM Dore Shary, the fascinating history of each musical number featured in the film including Gene Kelly’s favorite solo dance routine (the Squeaky Board/Newspaper number) and Garland’s signature number “Get Happy”, why MGM didn’t renew Judy’s contract after the film was released, what happened to Judy and her career after she was released from MGM, the “Taking Stock” chapter that brims with fresh insight on the film, from contemporary artists like Judy Garland’s daughter Lorna Luft, Michael Feinstein, Kerry Kelly Novick (Gene Kelly’s daughter) Marilyn Michaels, Mario Cantone, Ben Vereen and Mikhail Baryshnikov, among others, what were the pros and cons of writing a book like this for the authors, and what their next book will be about.
DAVID FANTLE & TOM JOHNSON
David Fantle has interviewed more than 250 show business personalities over the past 40 years, including such legendary names as Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, James Cagney, Lucille Ball, Bob Hope, George Burns, Milton Berle, Charlton Heston, Rod Steiger and Gregory Peck. In 2004, a compilation of his interviews were published in the book, Reel to Real: 25 years of Celebrity Profiles from Vaudeville to Movies to TV. The book was recognized by Turner Classic Movies as its May 2004 “Book of the Month.” His latest book, written with his longtime collaborator Tom Johnson, titled C'mon, Get Happy: The Making of Summer Stock will be published in October 2023 by the University Press of Mississippi. Their second book of celebrity interviews, Hollywood Heyday: 75 Interviews with Golden Age Legends was published by McFarland and Company in 2018. Fantle is an adjunct professor at Marquette University in Milwaukee where he teaches courses in film, television and popular culture. He is also the former Deputy Secretary of Tourism for Wisconsin and a popular speaker on the cruise ship circuit.
Tom Johnson began his collaboration with David Fantle in 1978 as a student journalist at the University of Minnesota by co-writing an award-winning arts and entertainment column for the Minnesota Daily called “Entertainment Ltd.” Johnson was a senior editor at Netflix and has written movie reviews and features for E! Online, Moviefone and People magazine, among other publications. Johnson’s entertainment writing has been recognized with a Minnesota Newspaper Association achievement award and a National Hearst Foundation award for news writing.
To Find Out More About The Book - https://www.upress.state.ms.us/Books/C/C-mon-Get-Happy
To Purchase A Copy Go to Amazon -
https://www.amazon.com/Cmon-Get-Happy-Making-Summer/dp/1496838394
Tom Johnson’s Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/tom.johnson.543908
David Fantle’s Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/dfantle
The Official Hollywood Obsessed Website - https://www.hollywoodobsessedthepodcast.com/
Follow the Official Hollywood Obsessed Facebook Page – HOLLYWOOD OBSESSED PODCAST
Follow our Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/hollywoodobsessedpodcast/
Titles VO Talent Cam Frierson - http://camfrierson.com/voice
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