Key Facts
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Birthdate | November 17, 1893 |
| Birthplace | Michigamme, Marquette, Michigan, USA |
| Parents | John B. Milne and Eva Marion Fitzpatrick |
| Occupation | Vaudevillian and Theater Manager |
| Theater Managed | New Grand Theatre, Grand Rapids, Minnesota |
| Spouse | Francis Avent Gumm |
| Children | Mary Jane “Suzanne” Gumm, Dorothy Virginia “Jimmie” Gumm, Frances Ethel Gumm (Judy Garland) |
Early Life
Ethel Marion Milne was born into an Upper Midwest industrial family. She grew up in Michigan and Wisconsin’s lumber and mining areas as the daughter of carpenter John B. Milne and Eva Marion Fitzpatrick. Her early exposure to itinerant entertainers and silent films in surrounding venues shaped her interest in vaudeville and theater management.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Birthdate | November 17, 1893 |
| Birthplace | Michigamme, Marquette County, Michigan |
| Parents | John B. Milne (carpenter) and Eva Marion Fitzpatrick |
| Upbringing | Raised in Superior, Wisconsin; immersed in local arts and itinerant performances |
Career
During her vaudeville career, Ethel Marion Milne was known for her cunning. She managed the New Grand Theatre in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, with her husband, Francis Avent Gumm, and coordinated silent cinema and live musical and comedy events. Her greatest legacy was establishing and promoting The Gumm Sisters, fostering her daughters’ skills and arranging her youngest’s 1935 contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, which launched Judy Garland’s career.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Vaudevillian performer, talent manager, and theater operator |
| Theater Managed | New Grand Theatre, Grand Rapids, Minnesota |
| Daughters’ Ensemble | Formed and guided The Gumm Sisters in regional and national vaudeville tours |
| MGM Contract | Secured Frances Ethel “Judy” Gumm’s MGM audition and long-term contract |
Family Net Worth
Ethel Marion Milne’s profitable cinema house and vaudeville group suggest an upper-middle-class lifestyle, however financial records are limited. Tickets, concessions, and touring shows under her supervision would have generated constant cash. Judy Garland’s stardom boosted the family income, but Ethel’s commercial skills laid the groundwork decades before.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Documented Data | No formal net worth disclosures from early 20th-century records |
| Inferred Status | Comfortable middle-to-upper-middle-class lifestyle through theater ownership |
| Revenue Sources | Box office receipts, concessions, touring fees, and performance engagements |
| Legacy Impact | Provided initial capital and industry connections for daughters’ entertainment careers |
Well-Known Family Members
Ethel Marion Milne’s legacy extends through the landmark achievements of her offspring, most notably Frances Ethel Gumm, who dazzled audiences as Judy Garland. Judy’s performances in The Wizard of Oz (1939) and Meet Me in St. Louis (1944) set a new standard for on-screen musical talent. Mary Jane “Suzanne” Gumm and Dorothy Virginia “Jimmie” Gumm contributed to the family’s stage presence, though they stepped away from the limelight as adults, their early ensemble work under their mother’s guidance remains a testament to Ethel’s vision.
| Name | Relationship | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Judy Garland (Frances Gumm) | Youngest Daughter | International film star, Academy Award nominee, Grammy winner |
| Mary Jane “Suzanne” Gumm | Eldest Daughter | Vaudeville performer with The Gumm Sisters; retired after 1935 |
| Dorothy Virginia “Jimmie” Gumm | Middle Daughter | Featured in early sound shorts and minor MGM film roles |
FAQ
Who was Ethel Marion Milne?
Ethel Marion Milne, an American vaudevillian and theater manager, launched Judy Garland’s career.
Where and when was Ethel Marion Milne born?
On November 17, 1893, in Michigamme, Marquette County, Michigan, she was born.
What theater did she manage?
She co-managed Grand Rapids’ New Grand Theatre, which showed silent films and vaudeville.
What impact did Ethel Marion Milne have on Judy Garland?
She founded The Gumm Sisters and handled Judy Garland’s 1935 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer audition and contract.
What was the family’s finances during her lifetime?
Theater ownership and touring kept her family comfortably upper-middle class.
