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(More customer reviews)At last another volume of episodes from the great Garland and her legendary variety series of 1963-1964. This volume runs the spectrum from the sublime ('Judy in Concert' episodes #24 and #25) to the ridiculous (Judy and the Dillards?!) and serves as an excellent illustration that despite embarrassingly sub par material and the meddling of a network that seemed hell-bent to destroy her series, Judy remained Judy...in a class by herself. Episode #8 is particularly embarrassing for the producers as Judy is forced to duet with a woefully "out of his element" George Maharis (?!) and chat about baseball with Leo Durocher. Still, Garland manages to rise above it and give one of her most moving performances ("I Wish You Love") and gamely agrees to go head to head with "The Dillards". It is particularly telling that, in his audio commentary, executive producer Norman Jewison avoids discussing this episode, and indeed the entire series, and instead focuses on Judy's 1961 comeback special which he also produced. When he does refer to the series, he comes off not only as unknowledgeable (referring to episode #6 guest star June Allyson as "Fran Allyson"), but as a colossal bore, relating that same "Over the Rainbow"/Kennedy anecdote that he has told everytime he is interviewed about Garland, and denigrating original series producer George Schlatter's superior prior episodes. In hindsight, it is all too apparent that the dismissal of Schlatter and the hiring of Jewison was the beginning of the end for the series. On the brighter side, side two that is, we have the Judy of legend...the great Garland doing what she did best: standing alone on a stage with an orchestra behind her, and blowing through two dozen or so songs with the command and mastery of a true artist at the peak of her powers. She gives definitive performances of the old reliables ("Chicago", "Get Happy", "By Myself", "Love") and tackles new and unexpected songs ("Lost in the Stars", "Never Will I Marry", "Do I Love You?") with verve and brilliance, climaxing the first hour with a heart-stopping medley from "Kismet" with guest Vic Damone. In addition to the telecast hours, there is a treasure trove of outtakes and deleted material (including two attempts at the "Kismet" medley) that prove once and for all that Judy's humor and ability to laugh, often at herself, were yet another reason why, thirty years after her death, she remains "The worlds greatest entertainer".
Click Here to see more reviews about: The Judy Garland Show, Vol. 04 (Shows 8, 19, 24 & 25) (1963)
Academy Award and Golden Globe Recipient Judy Garland was and still is a super star of her time.She was the consummate performer, starring in over 40 films, Judy Garland had no limits to her singing and acting talents that included radio, theatre, television, and film.She also starred in her own television series "The Judy Garland Show." Pioneer Entertainment is proud to present "The Judy Garland Show" on DVD. These four episodes, Shows #24, #25, #8 and #19, which originally aired between 1963 and 1964 include outtakes and special commentary with Norman Jewisonon Show 8. Judy welcomes guests, Vic Damone, Robert Cole, George Maharis, Jack Carter, The Dillards, Leo Durocher, Jerry Van Dyke, Louis Jourdan, The Kirby Stone Four, and Ken Murray.
Click here for more information about The Judy Garland Show, Vol. 04 (Shows 8, 19, 24 & 25) (1963)
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