The bismuth substituted iron garnets have attracted considerable attention as alternative blue wavelength magneto-optic recording media due to their large magneto-optic effects in the short wavelength region of the visible spectrum. However, these materials currently require a high temperature processing step and have not been deposited on inexpensive substrates with adequate carrier to noise ratios. The low CNR is a result of high media noise which is believed to be related to the underlying microstructure of the film. This paper will discuss the magnetic and magneto-optic properties of garnet films suitable for blue wavelength magneto-optic recording; review the techniques by which films of these materials have been deposited; present the current understanding of the crystallization process and methods for controlling the physical microstructure and uniformity of written magnetic domains; and finally review the current status of the performance of these materials as short wavelength magneto-optic media.