Accidental Meeting of Actresses Memorable

By Mary Vinci

I shall always remember witnessing the chance meeting of two movie actresses, Frances and Judy Garland, in Indianapolis, sometime in the year 1968. [The Clowes concert was on two dates... October 1, 2, 1967! JRE]

At the time, Frances Farmer was a resident of Indianapolis, appearing in a television show every evening. [Actually ‘Frances Farmer Presents’ went off the air in 1964. JRE]

Judy Garland came to Indianapolis to appear in a concert at Clowes Hall.

My friend and I were able to obtain tickets, and we sat in the lower half section of the first floor in Clowes Hall.

Frances Farmer and her group were seated about four or five rows in front of us.

Frances Farmer apparently left the concert hall and was standing in the doorway just as Judy Garland opened the show, making her appearance by walking down the side aisle to the stage.

Judy Garland walked past Frances Farmer, then she stopped abruptly and ran back to Farmer. They were happy to see each other embracing and chatting. It was quite a reunion.

The Judy Garland show was spectacular, and I believe she sang better that night than at anytime I heard her.

If my memory serves me correctly, this was her last concert in the United States before going to England. It was during her stay in England that Garland passed away.

I was so happy to be able to witness the happy reunion between two fine actresses.

This article appeared in The Indianapolis Star in the Lifestyles Section under the general reader submitted feature, 'My Life' – September 3, 2000

      Judy Garland observes coming attraction - 1937                                                Judy Garland later in life - circa 1960's

[Question from Jackrandall: Did Frances plan it that way, or did she go out to have one more Kent before the show and get stopped by the ushers? Too bad this scene hasn’t been in any of the books or films about Frances or Judy.]

Provided by Jack Randall Earles