Customer Reviews

Judy Garland, Robert Goulet & Phil Silvers Special

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
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Will all the super reviews on this tape I just had to add the one thing which I think was the most important yet everyone else has seemed to miss. In a segment where Silvers, Goulet and Garland do a spoof on each other's songs in a well planned medley there are several "laugh out loud" moments but here is the very best.....all at once to see Silvers and Goulet in "drag" as Judy lip singing to her real singing imitating all her moves etc was not only a spoof of all the drag queens doing Judy even then but quite a statement as well! It was truely hysterical! This tape is 60's TV variety at it's very best, it's just plain terrific! A must see for anyone who likes great music and phenomenal talent all in one!

Judy Garland shares the bill with Robert Goulet and Phil Silvers on this 1963 television special, which acted as a prelude-of-sorts for her regular TV series the following year. Garland is in prime vocal condition, and she's ably partnered by two very capable leading men.

Robert Goulet, who rose to fame as the romantic lead Lancelot in Broadway's "Camelot" three years previous, had by this point established himself as a popular matinee idol and recording artist. His marriage to Broadway leading lady Carol Lawrence ("West Side Story"'s original Maria) cemented them both as the 'Royal Couple' of musical theatre.

With television's "Sgt. Bilko", comedian Phil Silvers was also at the top of his profession. No stranger to musicals; he had starred opposite Nanette Fabray in composer Jule Styne's first big show, "High Button Shoes" in 1947.

The show opens with Garland's dazzling "Hello Bluebird" (also introduced in the film "I Could Go on Singing" that same year). Robert Goulet, looking very dapper with slicked-back hair and tux, joins Garland (also very lovely in a sleek black gown and fur stole) for a love medley that comprises "Love Walked In", "Here I'll Stay with You", "Through the Years", "If Ever I Would Leave You", and "Love is a Lovely Thing".

Garland also gets to share a delicious comedy routine with Phil Silvers, after he gatecrashes her rendition of "I Happen to Like New York", and decides to share with her some commonplace sights and sounds around the city. After a quick dissolve, Garland returns, dressed in a black tassle-skirt and fedora hat, to perform her rousing "Get Happy". She later performs both her famous "Love" Medley, and "By Myself", before joining the boys again for an hilarious series of musical skits.

As a precursor to her popular TV show, this works just fine. Garland obviously had a ball with Silvers and Goulet; their chemistry fairly spills off the screen, and her unique flair for comedy is showcased here beautifully.

People, people. The hightlight of this DVD is the five-song medley with Robert Goulet that is so charged with chemistry and excitement, they literally shoot sparks through the TV screen. Wow!! What can be said about these two together? There was definite magic in the air when these songs were sung. One wonders what Sid Luft must have thought about the Goulet duet, because wow, the two of them evoked such loving passion for each other, perhaps staged, perhaps not, that was the equivalent of undeniable lovemaking right there on TV for all the world to see. THE SPARKS FLY, especially with Judy's "Through the Years" as the crescendo and "Love is a Lovely Thing" culminating in a carefree romp! I can watch this one over and over again and say with confidence it is the most outstanding duet I've ever seen. Judy is magic with Goulet, sheer magic, and Goulet rises to the occasion with each and every moment. You must, must, must check this one out. Don't be mislead by other reviewers on this DVD. The Goulet duet is fantastic, unbelievable, breathtaking, sensual, erotic, evocative, powerful and, like Judy herself, unforgettable.

Ms. Garland's TV special, prior to her weekly TV series, is a bit hit-and-miss. The taping quality isn't that great. One wonders what CBS used when compared to shows of the same era taped at NBC?? At least NBC had color! Anyway, back to Ms. Garland's show. She seems ill, her voice not up to performing quality, as shown in her number, "By Myself" and "Almost Like Being In Love/This Can't Be Love" and at other times, letter perfect. Her duets with Robert Goulet are delightful and her voice's full range and power come through during their duet of "Through The Years". It's obvious that she enjoyed herself while taping this show and is wonderful during her banter with Phil Silvers. she can barely keep a straight face during their comedy sequence about NYC! It would have been letter perfect if they'd allowed her to rest before taping her solo numbers, as is proven with the poor rendition of "Get Happy". For die-hard Garland fans, a must. For others, they may not rise above the technical mediocrity or be as forgiving when her voice fails.

Judy gives an exciting virtuoso performance in this 1963 TV special which served both as a pilot for her variety series and a plug for her last film, "I Could Go On Singing", then in current release. Looking chic and sophisticated, Judy mixes wonderfully with Phil Silvers. They click so well together, its a wonder he was not signed as a regular on her TV series. Her love-song duet with stiff Goulet, on the other hand, is a bit overdone. The pair seems so caught up in the lyrics, you almost expect them to drop to the floor mid-tune in a steamy clinch. Happily, the hour shows Garland at her superstar zenith in stirring solo moments such as "I Happen To Like New York" and "By Myself". Regrettably, her inferior "Get Happy" serves only to remind viewers of her former MGM salad days. Such carping should not detract from the overall enjoyability of this video and the glowing luster of Miss Garland's megawatt talent. If your not won over by her infectious charm and virtuosity amply displayed in this TV special, you never will be!

Although this DVD presentation didn't fall short of any of my expectations of JUDY and the way other reviews covered the VHS version was onpar with the DVD version. My biggest problem is the quality...If this had been remastered it would have been even better. Hello Bluebird is clearly the highlight of the show, JUDY gives her best rendition of the song that I have heard. The studio recording of it drags but JUDY delivers it perfectly here.

Many of the rest of JUDY's solo performances are/can be found on Pioneers release of the Judy Garland show..I reccomend those for tracks like Almost Like Being In Love and By Myself. JUDY's performance of Get Happy should not be considered her best work but it is sentimental, as is any JUDY performance that can be viewed or heard.

This DVD should be digital remastered and re-released. A true fans buy.

Judy Garland, Robert Goulet and Phil Silvers weave incredible magic together for this televised special which aired in early 1963. Judy's voice is in excellent form; she sings beautifully, clear as a bell. The duets she shares with Robert Goulet stun me with the emotion and excellent timing; and the comedy routines with all three stars prove that they all worked very hard to make this special come alive.

Judy turns in a positively electric performance as she sings many of her classic numbers including "Get Happy;" "By Myself;" "Hello, Bluebird;" a medley of "Almost Like Being In Love/This Can't Be Love" and "I Could Go On Singing." Judy's heart and soul pours into each ballad with incredible force and electricity oozing out of her pores; she gives blood to please her audience and she succeeds.

I also enjoyed the comedy numbers with Phil Silvers; the silly take off on the ballet is very well done while "We Are The Musketeers" displays equally flawless timing and choreography.

The sound quality is excellent although the picture quality could be a little better at times. I wonder why this was not remastered or touched up a little bit more than it was.

The DVD offers an excellent bonus feature from Judy's television series: a segment featuring Ken Murray and his "home movies" of Hollywood's biggest stars in the late 1920s, 1930s and early 1940s. Look for Judy to pop onto the screen more than once! SMILE

Overall, this DVD gives us a remarkably fine performance by Judy Garland with Robert Goulet and Phil Silvers to support her along the way with comedy and romantic duets. You simply can't ask for better entertainment than this; and I recommend this DVD very highly for fans of Judy Garland, Robert Goulet and Phil Silvers.

Enjoy!

The energy and warmth of her personality come through and the effect is riveting. She positively sparkles in the comdedy skit with Silvers, and the romantic chemistry with Goulet adds so much to their duet. It's interesting to see how she feeds on that chemistry to turn out a knockout performance of "Through the Years" that nearly causes her to forget where she is for a moment, she is so pleased with herself. In short, there is a comeradery here that is sadly missing from other shows, like the one with Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin for instance. She is obviously having a lot of fun. Goulet's vocals are, as usual, flat, but Garland's way with each song, her vocal inflection, her movement and gestures, are for the most part unerring, particularly in the opening song, "Hello, Bluebird". Virtually the only exception being the medley "Almost Like Being In Love/This Can't Be Love" with Garland looking and sounding like she hadn't slept in a week. It's hard to believe it was filmed on the same day as the rest of the special.

If this 1962 special had been counted as an episode of "The Judy Garland Show" that aired through the following TV season it might be remembered as perhaps the most solid episode. There is nothing here to match the stellar intensity of "Old Man River" (which is why the series is still more recommended than this), but on the other hand this has none of the weak spots that plague the regular series.

The best part is a five-song duet, a full segment done entirely in one shot by one camera, and choreographed such that the performers had to move to certain places during certain portions. Given professionals, this can be executed well enough, but what matters is that you don't even notice. Garland and Goulet seem so artlessly at ease in their performances that all you really pay attention to are their expressions, and you don't think for a moment that they are following any kind of script. When it is over, you feel you have watched a cathartic experience.

The other highlights include "Get Happy" which might have been Garland's best performance of the song were it not presented in a way that the energy of the number dissipates out of a very alive-looking Judy Garland into a cold and lifeless stage (she usually does this number with a chorus of male dancers); and a comedy sketch with Phil Silvers touring Manhattan, which is better done than any of the scripted comedy sketch on her regular series.

The show is recommended both for those who are interested the 1963-64 series but aren't ready to commit the money to the big box set, and vice-versa to those who have seen the series but wondered what an episode might be like if it didn't have all the Jerry Van Dyke and other disappointments. I am one of the latter, who was glad to see this show.

They don't make them like this anymore, which is a real shame. This special captures Judy Garland, Robert Goulet and Phil Silvers at their best. Judy's solo numbers are spine tingling, Robert Goulet is sexy and suave, and Phil Silvers is hysterical. One of the best moments is Judy's hilarious impression of Helen Morgan. This special is a delight for nostalgia buffs and a treat for anyone who is a fan of Judy, Robert, or Phil Silvers... or anyone who wants to see what made them legendary