In the late 1930s, jazz clarinetist Artie Shaw wasn’t just making waves in the music world—he was becoming one of the most sought-after bandleaders in America. With his dashing looks and undeniable talent, women were lining up to be with him. Artie himself admitted, “People ask what these women saw in me. It’s the music, the stage presence—it’s all about standing up there under the lights. Some women just lose their minds over it.”
When Judy Garland Met Artie Shaw
Back in 1937, a teenage Judy Garland found herself swept off her feet by Artie Shaw during a trip to New York. Their romance, though doomed from the start, blossomed into a friendship that would last longer than Artie's marriage to Judy's friend and rival, Lana Turner. Judy and Artie crossed paths when she saw his band perform. “She loved his sound and went up afterward to introduce herself,” said Gerald Clarke, author of Get Happy: The Life of Judy Garland. Clarke adds that Artie likely knew who Judy was, even though she wasn’t a big star yet. “He was impressed by her musical knowledge. Judy was incredibly intelligent for her age.”
A Mentorship Born of Mutual Respect
Artie, who valued learning and had originally entered the music business as a way to pay for college, saw something special in Judy. He appreciated her sharp mind, and the two began seeing each other without her mother knowing. “He taught her what books and novels to read,” shares Lorna Luft, Judy’s daughter, in an interview with Closer. But let’s be real here—Judy was only 16, while Artie was 12 years older and already twice-divorced. Despite their age gap, Artie described Judy as “bubbly, full of fun, lively, and intelligent.” Clarke adds that Artie thought of Judy more as a younger sister. “He said they never crossed the line—though Judy tried. He would lean down to kiss her forehead when they said goodbye, and Judy would turn up her lips.”
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The Lana Turner Twist
Meanwhile, Artie met fellow MGM star Lana Turner on the set of the 1939 film Dancing Co-Ed. At first, sparks didn’t exactly fly. Lana admitted she found the musician aloof and boring. But things changed after Judy confided in Lana about her crush on Artie. “Lana had a bit of a mischievous streak,” says Clarke. She agreed to dinner with Artie to spite her then-boyfriend, attorney Greg Bautzer. That night, Artie turned on the charm. “Artie would paint me a romantic dream with a white picket fence around it,” Lana recalled. “His eloquence stirred me.”
A Surprise Marriage—and Heartbreak for Judy
That night, Artie and Lana, who was just 19 at the time, eloped to Las Vegas. Actress Ann Rutherford, a close friend, explained Lana’s mindset: “She didn’t believe in sex before marriage, so if you wanted to be with Lana, you had to marry her.” The next morning, Judy discovered their marriage in the newspaper. “She screamed, she was so devastated by it,” says Clarke. “She went to her room and banged her head against the wall. It was like her whole world came crashing down.”
What Happened Next?
As it turned out, Judy might have dodged a bullet. Lana filed for divorce just four months later, citing Artie’s mental cruelty. “He literally flew into rages,” Lana recalled. Clarke sheds light on Artie’s complex personality: “He was a very intelligent man, but he didn’t treat women well. He was married eight times, and let’s just say relationships weren’t his strong suit.” Despite everything, Artie and Judy remained friends. He even attended her wedding to Vincente Minnelli in 1945. “Everyone that my mother fell in love with was incredibly gifted,” says Lorna Luft. “They always taught her things, and she loved to learn. That’s the kind of person she was.”
