Search - The Judy Garland Show: The Christmas Show on DVD

MPAA Rating: NR Movie Release: 1963 DVD Release: 11/23/1999 Format: DVD - Black and White Edition: Restored/Remastered,Special Collection,Television Audio Tracks: English SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 0 hrs 50 mins Studio: Geneon Members Wishing: 1 Genres: Music, Concerts, Holidays, Variety Show [TV], Vocal Music See Also: The Judy Garland Christmas Show, The Judy Garland Holiday Special

In this 1963 holiday episode of The Judy Garland Show, a large crop of guest stars, including Judy Garland's three children, joins the singer for a bevy of classic and contemporary songs, most of them Christmas-themed. Opening with one of her signature tunes, "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" from Meet Me in St. Louis, Garland makes her way through "Consider Yourself" (from Oliver), "Little Drops of Rain" (from Gay Purr-ee), and, of course, "Over the Rainbow" (from The Wizard of Oz). Jazz singers Jack Jones and Mel Tormé also turn up; Jones solos on "Wouldn't It Be Loverly" and "Lollipops and Roses", while Torme duets with Garland on one of his own classics, "The Christmas Song" (also known as "Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire"). Joey Luft and Lorna Luft, Garland's two school-age children by third husband Sidney Luft, get their chance to shine, as does eldest daughter and future superstar Liza Minnelli. The entire program is staged as a mock Christmas party, complete with dancing Santas, visiting carolers, and a couple of medleys featuring the entire ensemble. Garland begins the show by inviting viewers into her "home" -- actually a split-level set dressed to resemble a palatial living room. Episode 15 of Garland's short-lived CBS television show, The Judy Garland Christmas Show was taped on December 6, 1963, and broadcast a few weeks later on December 22. Astute viewers will note that Garland flubs a line from Torme's The Christmas Song, earning a chuckle from its composer, and then deliberately substitutes the word "rainbow" for "reindeer" in the next line -- an allusion to her own signature tune. Torme served as a consultant for almost the entire run of Garland's show and their sometimes contentious relationship has been documented in numerous books, including Torme's own -The Other Side of the Rainbow. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide

The Judy Garland Show, Episode 15: The Christmas Show comes to DVD from Pioneer. This original December 1963 episode is presented with a standard full-frame transfer in black-and-white. The English soundtrack is available in the original mono or a remastered Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround sound. Songs include "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," "Winter Wonderland," and "The Christmas Song." The show features guest stars Mel Tormé and Jack Jones, along with Garland's children Joey Luft, Lorna Luft, and Liza Minnelli. Special features include a holiday greetings outtake. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide