Lessons from Young Hollywood in the Golden Age

The plight of Young Hollywood is dominating the media today, with news of Paris' jail time, Brittany's breakdown, and Lindsey's revolving rehab stays. Some are wondering when and how did the young and talented become so troubled. How can they be saved?

In truth, the problems that plague Young Hollywood are not so new. As a matter of fact, the trials and tribulations of today's talent only shadows the deeds perfected by Young Hollywood of the Golden Age of Film. One of the era's most talented and yet most troubled was the venerable Judy Garland. Her career was the picture of success at its height, but her personal life was plagued by consequences of drugs, family dysfunction, and personal mental instability. Young Hollywood today grab a pencil.

Garland was the epitome of the child star, beginning her career at age two on a vaudeville stage. Her parents were both in the business, but were also two very troubled people in their own right. When Garland began making pictures in her early teens, her mother was right there.

Judy's mother and the execs at MGM introduced the starlet to the dirty side of fame. She was given diet pills to stay slim, amphetamines to keep the bubbly energetic image in front of the cameras, and barbiturates to bring her down long enough to sleep at night. By the time she was twenty, Judy Garland was subsisting in a chemical haze, but no one knew-beyond the studio and her mother. She put on a great show for the public, making at least three pictures a year. She was also maintaining a successful music career. However, she couldn't juggle it all for long.

Judy's career took a downturn in her mid twenties when the studio decided that it could not tolerate the emotional issues or intoxicated behavior any longer. She still made movies, but was no longer the darling of the Hollywood screen. Garland was the by product of the dark side of the business.

Garland's story is that of today's starlets, but in overdrive. It should still be seen as a cautionary tale. Some might point to Garland's parents and the studio, saying that they were the ones who corrupted her, which is not the case for today's talent. The truth, however, is that the modern-day stage mom can be just as hazardous. How many times have Mrs. Spears and Lohan been photographed partying beside their underage and intoxicated offspring? Sure, they're not forcing the pills down their daughter's throats, but the affect is the same. As for the studio, who do you think sets up the publicity parties and appearances for these troubled youths, sponsored by some major alcohol manufacturer?

Garland's is but one tale that can be used as caution against the antics of Young Hollywood. Although they may think theirs is a different tale, one must remember one thing-they all end the same way. Judy Garland died at age 47 of a drug overdose.