Search - The Judy Garland Show Collection on DVD

Amazing, Simply amazing!

Brian McCafferty | Encino, CA USA | 06/29/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What a great collection--15 hours of the Judy Garland show! The included book was a wonderful, unexpected pleasure of this set--with all the backstage stories of each episode--interesting to read how Judy performed all the songs on show 1 in just one take! (Before other material was inserted later.) Or to know that Judy was coming down off an OD just hours before the Count Basie episode, and yet is simply riveting! You've probably seen some of Judy's best songs from the show over and over on PBS, but there are many forgotten gems that are just sublime! (Did you know she sang 'Some People' from Gypsy? Or 'Shenandoah'?) Even when Judy forgets the lyric she can still play a song (and ad lib new lyrics on the fly) to the hilt! Yes, some (most) of the non-musical material (like comedy sketches) is below par. But how great for a JG fanatic to experience the shows in their entirety. And the guests! Wonderful to see the obvious love between Judy and Mickey Rooney! Liza Minelli is young but already a powerhouse. Martha Raye and her hilarious faces as she tries to steal the scene from Judy. Rich Little's TV debut. A young Chita Rivera dancing a 60's style 'I Got Plenty of Nothin'.' Ethel Merman belting and playing (old-school) to the camera while Judy plays to Ethel. (And don't miss the easter egg--the only time you'll ever hear Barbra Streisand's voice get overpowered--by both Judy and Ethel!) Lots of outtakes give you the opportunity to watch alternate takes (I only wish more were included!). The only question is when will they release the rest of the episodes (like show 9 with Barbra Streisand)!"

The Most Exceptional Entertainment Package--EVER

T. Robin | Byron Bay, NSW Australia | 03/17/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"We all have a few defining moments in our lives. Man on themoon. A first kiss. Death of a loved one. Our first puppy. This DVDcollection is one of those such moments. As one who had never seen 'Judy' live, I apprehensively ordered Volume One of the Judy Garland Show. From the second Judy opens with 'I Feel a Song Coming On' I was hooked.Stunned.Overwhelmed. I ordered this boxed set. It's even better. The pictures are astoundingly crisp and sharp, in fact it's hard to believe it's off videotape! The resolution is light years ahead of any VHS tape - in fact it's so good you can pick the (few) slightly out of focus shots better than the camera operator could! The pictures have excellent texture and contrast ratio- there are very few video releases that can come under such scrutiny on an 8 foot screen. This 39 year old release looks better than most stuff shot yesterday! If the pictures are stunning, the audio is simply dazzling! The Dolby digital soundtrack is a masterpiece in audio transfers. But it would all be pointless without the real star of the show. Judy. Isn't it ironic. We spend thousands of dollars on sophisticated home theaters,projectors that can show 2 million colors, Dolby 5.1 sound, the best speakers we can afford......... And this nearly 40 year old black & white boxed set makes it all worthwhile. Finally someone has got it right, congratulations to Pioneer for what is, in my opinion, quite simply the best release, of the best artist, of the century."

A "MUST-OWN" FOR GARLAND FANS

Robert J. Waters | 01/14/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Critic Judith Crist once said, "Either you are are you aren't a Judy Garland fan." If you are a Garland fan, you owe it to yourself to buy this excellect collection. The DVD format presents these black and white shows with such picture and sound quality that they seem almost new. The format also allows easy access to favorite moments. Judy shines in her solo moments, giving performances that range from good to great. Her guests give good performances, and her duets with many of them are real treats. Lena Horne, Tony Bennett, Peggy Lee, Vic Damone, Ethel Merman, Jack Jones and Steve Lawrence are a few of the shining stars featured. Young Liza make a memorable appearance, and Martha Raye does a funny duet with Garland. Even June Allyson, nervous at best, has some clumsily charming moments with Judy. Ray Bolger chatting with Garland about "Wizard of Oz" is also fun. As previous reviewers have commented, some of Judy's quiet moments are the revealation here. "A Cottage for Sale" is a heartbreaker, and Judy's version of "A Foggy Day" sung directly to Terry Thomas is incredible. All in all, a wonderful group of shows. I am looking forward to the second half of the collection."

Essential

David Y. H. Lui | Vancouver, Canada | 11/21/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A must have for any fans of great performers. Judy is better than we remember. Over the years everyone has dismissed the series as a disaster. This collection proves the opposite. Yes, there are moments when things go wrong and there are moments when the support players are simply awful. Through all of this Miss Garland triumphs and is completely mesmerizing.A wonderful way to relive the season of 1963-64 when these shows were originally broadcast. They truly don't make them like this anymore and we are all the sadder that they don't. The set is exemplary, especially if you read the book while watching hte programs. This is particularly illuminating. The set advertises a commmentary by George Schlatter (originaly producer). I could not find it anywhere. Ok Pioneer, own up is this a boo boo in an otherwise perfect set?"