The Judy Garland Show

Amazon.com

For anyone who wants to enjoy the performances of Judy Garland in the late stages of her career, her 1963-64 TV show is the place to start. And if you'd rather sample the songs without enduring the comedy sketches, Just Judy might be just for you. It's a collection of 28 solo performances from the show, including ballads ("Moon River," "That's All"), swing ("Come Rain or Come Shine," "Almost Like Being in Love"), and her great signature tunes ("The Man That Got Away," "Over the Rainbow"). Following personal problems that sabotaged her film career, Garland was not in great health, but she remained a brilliant performer, warm, heartbreaking, and electrifying. If you like Just Judy, you'll want to delve into some of the complete episodes for more songs, including duets with the likes of Mel Tormé and Barbra Streisand. Just Judy was previously released as part of The Judy Garland Show Collection. --David Horiuchi

Description

The Judy Garland Show" continues the award-winning "Series of The Series," by presenting a very special edition : "JUST JUDY" is a collection of her finest solo moments. Compiled by noted Garland historian Scott Schechter and the DVD's Executive Producer Matthew Friedman, the disc contains a whopping 28 classic songs, including her hits "The Man That Got Away," "Swanee," "Come Rain Or Come Shine," "San Francisco," and "Over The Rainbow," among many others. Judy is presented in a wide variety of song styles, from up-tempo jazz tunes ("Who Cares?," "From This Moment On") to heartbreaking ballads ("All Alone," "When Your Lover Has Gone"), along with many hits from Broadway and Hollywood ("Just In Time," "Hey, Look Me Over," "As Long As He Needs Me," "Too Late Now.") You'll see Judy (in a glamorous succession of gowns by acclaimed designers Ray Aghayan and Bob Mackie) at the peak of her talent and career in a stunning, concert type presentation of her best series solo songs. The legend's legacy is best represented by her work on these timeless shows, and the show's best moments were from it's star, and are presented here on "The Judy Garland Show" : "JUST JUDY.

Customer Reviews:

When You're Smiling..........2006-09-03

I have been a fan of Judy Garland for much of my young life. I always admired her amazing breadth of talent, from acting to dancing, and most importantly, singing. Seeing this DVD from start to finish is breath-taking. Here we see all her myriad talents come together. She doesn't just sing. She LIVES these songs. The sheer power of her presence, the energy of her delivery, and the power of the voice, combine to be so incredibly moving. Each and every song is a show-stopper, so it's hard to pick out the very best. "Cottage For Sale" is astounding. "The Man That Got Away", one of her all-time classics, is equally jaw-dropping. "Stormy Weather", better known as being done by Lena Horne, is sung perfectly here by Judy, who really makes it her own. "The Battle Hymn of the Republic", an undeniably patriotic number, was personaly chosen by Judy to honor Jonh F. Kennedy, just recently assasinated. The raw emotion here is staggering. Of course, "Over the Rainbow" is here, performed in a Christmas episode with her children with her as she performs the song. I guess my own personal favorite performance here is "Old Man River". I got chills all over the first time I watched this. She didn't just perform it, she LIVED it, she could very well be singing about herself and her troubles in life. This injection of personal trials and troubles and overcoming impossible odds is what truly made Judy Garland unique. One felt you knew her, or could really identify with what she went through. That incredible voice, which is as strong as ever on this DVD, is bouyed by emotion; stark, real, and vivid. She connected to her audience through her songs, and they to her. This DVD is just a sample of the amazing talent this truly gifted lady was blessed with. That she shared it with us is a sign of her generosity. That we still love her is a sign of her greatness.

Nobody can match her...........2006-03-30

In 1963-64 Judy Garland was still remarkably at the peak of her powers as a singer, actress, and "Miss Showbusiness." Her voice had reached its zenith two years earlier at Carnegie Hall and because of that astounding comeback she won roles in four feature films, one of which earned her an academy award nomination, had a record-breaking concert tour, a T.V. special which was the highest rated program in CBS history, and the Carnegie Hall recording which won grammys for Album of the Year and Best Female Vocalist and was #1 on the billboard charts for 13 weeks, spending 95 weeks on the bestseller charts in all. There was also a T.V. series that resulted from an episode on The Jack Paar Show in 1962, which showcased her newly trim figure as well as her hilarious humor and wit. Her series fell victim to a deathbed timeslot as well as severe network interference, but Judy's talent rarely faltered. In this DVD Just Judy, the most brilliant aspect of her show is showcased (Judy's solos) and most of them that were selected have her in peak or near-peak form. Her Old Man River will give anyone chills. Her Cottage For Sale shows her remarkable ability to wear her heart on her sleeve, and then change moods instantly with a bubbly, energetic Hey Look Me Over. She also sings many songs from her Carnegie Hall album, and ones like Come Rain or Come Shine, The Man That Got Away, and Stormy Weather come extremely close to matching her earlier renditions. What else can I say except buy this DVD (and if you don't have her Carnegie Hall recording, get that also!) You will see and hear Judy Garland at her absolute zenith.

Judy Garland LIVES in videotapes of her TV Show.......2005-10-09

Fantastic collection of songs with Judy in fine voice. Her voice had 'a mind of its own.' Sometimes when she was thin her voice sounded thin and uneven. We fans can really appreciate the timbre, the enunciation, and her timing when she was in good voice - and she is in marvelous voice here. It was often hard for Judy to BOTH look excellent and sing excellent. She sang better when she was slightly overweight. One only has to listen to her Carnegie Hall CD to hear her at her best.

She comes very close at times on this DVD. Her signature songs - "The Man That Got Away", "Stormy Weather" here are equal to the best ever made before the TV Series. Her rendition of "Ol' Man River" is astonishing. And the overall picture quality (video instead of film) has an edge that even on the Old Fashioned Black & White that was CBS's standard at the time cannot mar. It is possible to forget she is dead because she LIVES on this DVD.

Legendary Voice, Legendary Songs.......2005-09-20

Judy Garland is one of the greatest singers of the 20th century and you can clearly see and hear why in this amazing DVD. It's pure Judy, pure song, pure excellence. And it's taken from when TV shows had class, grace, and charm. If you ever wondered where the place referred to as "over the rainbow" was, this must be the place. You've found it. And it's pure heaven. Ladies and Gentlemen, Miss Judy Garland...

A Revelation.......2005-05-10

I have always loved and respected Judy Garland, but it was not until I saw her on this DVD (and the others from her legendary series), that I appreciated the enormity of her talent.

Judy was already a living legend several times over by the time this series started. And it shows. This DVD is full of awe inspiring, jaw dropping, show stopping performances that no one else could pull off.

The fact that Judy was battling many personal demons during the 50s and 60s makes these bravura performances all the more impressive. She was a consummate professional, and without a doubt, one of the greatest entertainers of all time.

Cottage For Sale and The Battle Hymn of the Republic are alone worth the price of admission. These are staggering performances.

On a technical note, the DVD transfer that is nothing short of miraculous: high contrast black and white video that could have been shot yesterday, along with thrilling 5.1 surround sound.

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