The Untold Story Of Artie Shaw, Judy Garland, And Lana Turner

Prof. Kacie Fay 14 May 2025

In the late 1930s, a young jazz clarinetist named Artie Shaw was making waves across America. He wasn’t just a musician; he was a cultural icon, leading one of the most popular big bands of the era. Women everywhere were captivated by his charm and talent. Artie once remarked, “People ask what these women saw in me. It’s the music, the magic of standing up there under the lights. A lot of women just lose themselves in it.”

A Meeting That Changed Everything

It was in 1937 when a teenage Judy Garland first encountered Artie Shaw. She was on a trip to New York, and like so many others, she fell under his spell. Though their romance was doomed from the start, their friendship became one of the most genuine and long-lasting relationships in Artie’s life. It even outlasted his marriage to Judy’s friend and rival, Lana Turner.

“She saw his band perform and was immediately drawn to his sound,” explains Gerald Clarke, author of Get Happy: The Life of Judy Garland. “After the show, she went up to introduce herself. Artie was impressed by her musical knowledge, even though she wasn’t yet a big star. Judy was incredibly intelligent, and Artie appreciated that.”

An Intellectual Connection

Artie Shaw had always valued education and learning. He had only ventured into music as a way to pay for college. When he met Judy, he found a kindred spirit in her. They began seeing each other secretly, without her mother’s knowledge. “He introduced her to literature, teaching her what books and novels to read,” shares Lorna Luft, Judy’s daughter, in an interview with Closer.

However, their age difference was significant. Artie was 12 years older than Judy and already twice-married. Despite this, their bond grew stronger. “Artie described her as bubbly, full of fun, lively, and intelligent,” says Clarke. Yet, Artie saw Judy more as a younger sister than a romantic partner. “He would lean down to kiss her forehead when they said goodbye, and Judy would turn up her lips,” Clarke adds with a chuckle.

Enter Lana Turner

Artie’s encounter with Lana Turner happened on the set of the 1939 film Dancing Co-Ed. At first, there were no sparks. Lana found the musician aloof and boring. That changed when Judy confided in Lana about her crush on Artie. “Lana had a bit of a mischievous streak,” says Clarke. She agreed to have dinner with Artie to spite her commitment-shy boyfriend, attorney Greg Bautzer.

During their night out, Artie turned on the charm. “Artie would paint me a romantic dream with a white picket fence around it,” Lana later recalled. “His eloquence stirred me.” That night, Artie and Lana, then 19, decided to elope to Las Vegas. Their friend, actress Ann Rutherford, 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.”

Judy’s Heartbreak

The next day, Judy discovered their marriage in the newspaper. “She screamed; she was utterly devastated by it,” says Clarke. “She went to her room and banged her head against the wall. It was a moment of pure heartbreak.”

But perhaps Judy got off easy. Lana filed for divorce just four months later, citing Artie’s mental cruelty. “He would fly into rages,” Lana revealed. Clarke explains, “Artie was a very intelligent man, but he didn’t always treat women well. He married eight times, after all.”

A Lasting Friendship

Despite the heartbreak, 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. Artie was no exception.”