Customer Reviews

Judy Garland - Ford Star Jubilee [VHS]

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This program was telecast *live* from the CBS studios, not, as the reviewer from Columbia, MO states, taped at New York City's Palace Theatre. There was no such thing as videotape at the time of this Ford Star Jubilee broadcast. The videocassette was transferred from a kinescope, shot on film from the East Coast telecast and then broadcast to other time zones. Garland isn't in the best voice, in part because this *was* a live show, with millions tuned in watching. And the cassette doesn't contain the complete show, plus having some "glitches" along the way. But it is an opportunity to see a genuine Legend, in the final portion of the program re-creating her famed early '50s Palace performance (although of course David Wayne was not part of that engagement).

Many years ago, a group of us used to gather in a small apartment in lower Manhattan and watch old kinescopes (some in pretty poor condition) of Judy Garland. We would always end with "We're a couple of swells" followed by "Over the Rainbow" which I had thought was from the Ford Star Jubilee. Your reviewers, up until recently, have panned this tape and never mentioned the end; I thought I was mistaken and so put off buying it until now. Well, anyone who can watch her sitting on the stage floor in that tramp outfit singing a marvelous rendition of Over the Rainbow without a tear in your eye must have emotions of steel. The surprise was how good the rest of the concert was, with some truly memorable versions of her standard hits. This tape is a steal at this price. Don't pass it up!

Judy Garland works hard to please in this video from 1950's television, her first television special, produced by husband Sid Luft. This appears to be an incomplete recording of the event which actually aired--the opening number is actually cut short before its completion, and emcee David Wayne indicates that the show is to be ninety minutes, where the videotape is only sixty. One yearns for the additional material, for much time is spent focused on the male back-up dancers doing routines about Judy not being ready for her performances. When she is singing, the magic comes through, but Miss Garland is not in her best voice. There are several musical scenes recreated from her films that serve to remind us that the originals were better. The video was filmed at least partially at the Palace Theater in New York. A weighty Judy is dressed nicely by designer Irene Sharaff. There is a tie-in with this television special and a CD called "Miss Show Business", which features songs from the show, but recorded in the studio, rather than taken from the television soundtrack. Both the television show and the concurrent record release are reported by Garland biographers to have been successful. This video should be seen by fans of 1950's television and true fans of Judy Garland who can look past her vocal problems and still see the magic emanating from her total performance. It is historic television, and a bit of historic Garland.

Anytime one can experience the brilliance of Judy Garland is time well-spent. While this video is not the greatest in terms of picture quality (it's from the original kinescope), it does show the only filmed version we have of most of Garland's original Palace Theater show. There's a strange cut during the 'Swanee" number, and her guests (David Wayne and an unknown Oriental girl singer) seem extraneous. When it's just Judy it's sheer pleasure. There will never be another like her.

This tape is a must-have for any Judy Garland fan; I thought she sang rather well and it was great to see that she had regained some weight after being too thin at the end of her MGM years. It is wonderful to know that Judy got her much deserved place in history as one of the first superstars to be on television. She sings some wonderful songs (many of which are on the album and the CD entitled Miss Show Business) and does the "We're a Couple of Swells" routing with David Wayne, the "official" host of the show. I do agree with one reviewer who said that the song performed by a young Asian lady is extraneous. This video also includes some great dance numbers by the male chorus; of course with a male chorus we must not leave out Judy's infamous "Get Happy" number! All in all, I highly recommend this video and I hope it is transferred to DVD. One cautionary note that made me keep this to four stars, however: the video quality is generally poor throughout most of the film. There is also a horrible type of "glitch" at what would have been the ending of Judy singing "Swanee;" I suppose something went wrong with the camera or film was destroyed. NEVERTHELESS, enjoy this fantastic record of Judy's first television appearance--BUY IT TODAY! GRIN

This tape is for any true Garland fan who cannot get enough of her. I agree with one of the previous reviewers who said it in a nutshell, we are lucky that this show was captured on tape and hopefully it will be remastered on dvd. She delivered "Over the Rainbow" with such conviction. This was the most powerful deliverance of "Over the Rainbow" that I have ever seen Judy do. Judy deserves an A+ for giving us Garland fans something to talk about even after 30 years of her death. Another reviewer also stated that Judy was not in her best voice but if you are a true Garland fan, who cares.

One of Garland's most moving performances ever! We are fortunate to have it captured on video. Hopefully, one day it will arrive on dvd. The video captures the magic and artistry of Judy's performing. It's spellbinding to watch, particularly as the show continues. Her rendition of "Over the Rainbow" will live on as perhaps the most moving and important performances in the 20th century. It's impossible to watch it without being totally entranced by it. Her delivery is impecable.

As other reviews accurately pointed out, perhaps Judy was not in the best voice or completely at ease during the live broadcast of this show. Is it any wonder? It must have been a terrifying experience for this star who was accustomed to movie sets and the stage. However, she is magnificent none the less, especially considering this was her first venture into television. Though her voice is occasionally rough and there is a mis-step or two since the show was filmed live, the magic is all there. She sings and sells her songs as only she could. During the show there are glimpses here and there of the legendary Garland wit that would become much more visible during her TV series of 1963 - 1964. If she'd been more at ease, undoubtedly there would have been much more in evidence. Judy is especially engaging and attractive in her recreation of the "Get Happy" number from Summer Stock and later she has the joint jumping with "Rock-a-bye Your Baby With A Dixie Melody". What the show contains of her performance of "Swanee" is wonderful but the song is cut off before she finishes it. There are many other Judy Garland standards and the nostalgia overflows. From what Sid Luft has revealed about Judy's accidental use of too many sleeping pills before the performance, and her fright at having to face a live audience of many millions, it's a wonder she was able to be as spectacular as she was. Just watch the performance for what it was which was the TV debut of the greatest entertainer in history. Absorb the magic that even Judy couldn't explain and be grateful that we have this video record, and many others on video and DVD, of The Legend.

This video is from 1955 shortly after Judy Garland made the Warner Brothers film "A Star is Born". Judy looked rather plump in the video and ill. Her voice didn't help the performance it was screecy. The picture was pathetic it looks like the producer (of this video) just transfered the projector film onto the tape film. The film wasn't re-mastered or even upgraded. Judy's opening number "Swanee" was cut off which is a really shame.
Her final performance however is quite amazing it's when she sang "Over the Rainbow" in her tramp suit it was done so beautifly it'll bring a tear to your eye. I think the only reason I gave it 2 stars was because of it. If you truly love Judy buy this video.

It is a well-known fact that Ms. Garland was not at her best when this taping occurred, but contracts having been signed, on went the show. You can see how ill-at-ease she is during the "concert" and what seems to be an apparent "over-medication". Her voice comes across as thick with a vibrato in need of rest. At times, David Wayne seems quite nervous in his exchanges with Ms. Garland, as her reactions to his lines don't seem to be what was rehearsed! Overall, it's a sad experience. One that should have been postponed. You can tell that some of the numbers are lip-synced to previously recorded material. The closing number, "Over The Rainbow" is sad because it demonstrates that Ms. Garland was ill and had to literally dig for the final notes. She was overweight, physically ill and not in any type of voice that could be called "good". One wonders where she found the energy to perform.