"When my mother signed at MGM, that was the only kind of contract you could sign. There was no such thing as an independent agent"

In this quote, Lorna Luft is reflecting on the entertainment industry during her mother's time as an actress. She discusses that when her mother, Judy Garland, signed with MGM, it was the basic practice for actors to sign unique agreements with significant studios. This indicated that the studio had complete control over the star's profession and might determine which jobs they dealt with. Luft highlights that throughout this time, there was no principle of having an independent representative who might negotiate on behalf of the star. This quote highlights the absence of autonomy and company that actors had in the early days of Hollywood.