Filming on a new biopic about Judy Garland in the last year of her life began  in London  on 19 March, 2018.

48 year old Renee Zellweger is cast as Judy and below is the first photo released of Renee in makeup and costume.

Renee Zellweger

Renee Zellweger,  filming in London

The film is set in 1968 when Judy arrives in London for a 5 week engagement at the Talk of the Town nightclub.

-Also in the cast are Rufus Sewell as Sid Luft, Michael Gambon as impresario Bernard Delfont,Finn Wittrock as Judy’s 5th  husband, Mickey Deans, Gemma  Leah Devereux as Liza Minnelli and Bella Ramsey as Lorna Luft.

Reports  about the new film say that Renee will do her own  singing. Is that a good idea? Judy has such a recognisable voice, it reminds me of how right it was to have Al Jolson do his own singing in The Jolson Story.

I wonder if consideration was given to using Judy’s own recordings .

The Talk of the Town programme from 1969. The picture of Judy looks to be from A Star Is Born.  Judy was not on stage till 11pm.

The Hippodrome building , on the corner of London’s Cranbourn st and Charing Cross Road, was built in 1900 and  converted into the Talk of the Town nightclub in 1958. Run by Bernard Delfont, many stars appeared there including Ella Fitzgerald, Lena Horne, Ethel Merman and Frank Sinatra.

Presently it is the Hippodrome Casino.

What the Talk of the Town interior would have looked like when Judy appeared there.

The plaque commemorating Judy’s appearance at the Talk of the Town was unveiled by Judy’s daughter, Lorna Luft.

The film may be out before the end of the year.