Every Sunday

EVERY SUNDAY was Deanna Durbin's one and only MGM film that was released for public viewing:

By the time EVERY SUNDAY was filmed in July 1936, Deanna Durbin had already been signed by Universal Studios on the 13th of June. But a clause in the MGM contract gave that studio the right to call on her services for up to 60 days following her termination providing she wasn't making a movie at her new studio. As THREE SMART GIRLS wasn't scheduled to begin production until September, Deanna found herself back at MGM performing in EVERY SUNDAY with Judy Garland.

The actual singing was recorded in the studio on the 30th of June, just prior to the commencement of filming in July.

The official release date of EVERY SUNDAY was 28 November, 1936.

Here is information from a man who was actually there during the filming of EVERY SUNDAY:

"When I was a very young age, my parents took me visiting for a month in Los Angeles. And since this brief saga deals with a moment of historic significance, I must mention that the date was July, 1936.

My father's good friend there was a close acquaintance of the legendary head of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios, Louis B. Mayer. Through this friend, we received a special invitation to visit MGM, the epicenter of the film industry at that time, in Culver City.

We arrived early in the afternoon and were escorted to a large outdoor set in a park-like setting with many benches. In the center was a large grandstand filled with musicians. Our guide told us that a short subject was being filmed and that this would be the debut film occasion for two musically talented young girls - their names were Judy Garland and Deanna Durbin.

The park was soon filled with extras, including the three of us, and shortly the two future stars came to the grandstand. There was a short period of set lighting and musicians rehearsing, and then the duet with Judy and Deanna began. Although I didn't know much about singing then, I knew right away that they were really good! Little did I know then what stars they would both become. The film short that was shot that day has been seen over and over again in highlights of Judy's career, in particular - I always look for myself and my family in the background but have never seen us.

After their performance Deanna disappeared, but Judy briefly hung around and I was able to see her up close. I was awestruck. At a later date I learned that she was only two years my senior, but at the time, at the moment she smiled at me, I only knew I was participating in a legendary, magical moment."

Both Deanna Dubin and Judy Garland were thrilled to hear that they would be in a short together called EVERY SUNDAY.

But their enthusiasm soon cooled. They weren't happy with their clothes, their make-up, and both of them felt the story was poor.

When it was finished, they were invited to see it in a projection room.

Five minutes into the film, Judy leaned over and whispered, "You're awfully good, Deanna, really. But I'm terrible."

Deanna looked at Judy an replied, "No, you're alright. I'm the aweful one."

Judy then confessed, "We might as well be honest, we're both aweful!"

Deanna agreed and held her cute little nose.

Afterwards they both decided not to watch it again!!

Both girls were trying to make light of their feelings, but they were deeply disappointed.

When the short was first released the billing was "EVERY SUNDAY with Judy Garland and Deanna Durbin." But after Deanna became a star, it was she who got top billing which certainly would of upset Judy!



Judy went to see THREE SMART GIRLS with her mother on opening day at the Pantages Theatre.

Later, Judy remarked, "I couldn't believe that it was Deanna. She was so much more beautiful, and more poised, than she had ever been before. Mother and I were really thrilled about it, but it made me awefully envious! I couldn't help thinking - why couldn't I get a break like that, too. Anyway, I called her up right away from the candy shop next door and told her how wonderful the picture was and congratulated her, and she was awefully thrilled that I called. I told her too - 'Gee, I hope I get a break like that someday,' and she said she hoped I did, too, and we were really just as friendly as ever. Only, well, she was important and I wasn't, and I don't think she thought about it very much, but I did. I really felt aweful."

IT'S NICE TO KNOW THAT EVENTUALLY JUDY GARLAND ALSO BECAME A STAR.



CHECK OUT THESE TWO QUOTES FROM JUDY GARLAND:


1937: "That's why I'm grateful to Deanna Durbin. Her work proved to the public that people were interested in actresses or talent of the between age. That was a break for all of us in our early teens."

1940: "They (MGM) probably would never have done anything with me except that Deanna made such a hit just then and all the studios were looking for kids who could sing."

Deanna Durbin and Judy Garland study the script for EVERY SUNDAY:

Deanna Durbin with Judy Garland and Patricia Palmer on the set of EVERY SUNDAY:

A 1st of April, 1937 newspaper advertisement for EVERY SUNDAY:

Going by the historical reports that can be found (much of it contradictory), it would seem that MGM based its decision to drop either Deanna Durbin or Judy Garland on the screening of an "Exhibitor's Reel" featuring the two young girls which was produced before EVERY SUNDAY. The story goes that Louis B. Mayer decided to drop Judy, but studio officials misunderstood and dropped Deanna by mistake!!

The fact is that Mayer hired Deanna Durbin, but he didn't fire her!!



NOTE: The "Exhibitor's Reel" has been lost in history, but Judy Garland may of made mention to it when she stated one time, "I had a dirty face and an apple in my mouth, and she was the 'Princess of Transylvania' or some such crazy thing."