Product Details

• Actors: Judy Garland, Jack Jones, Joey Luft, Lorna Luft, Liza Minnelli
• Directors: Dean Whitmore
• Format: DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Classic World
• DVD Release Date: October 20, 2009
• Run Time: 59 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B002L6CC8E
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #97,952 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Studio: Infinity Resources Inc Release Date: 10/20/2009

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "A Christmas Judy!", August 26, 2009

By 

Terry Richard "Terry Richard" (Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Judy Garland Holiday Special (DVD)

This DVD set features the Christmas episode from "The Judy Garland Show" that was taped December 6, 1963 and aired on December 22, 1963. Judy Garland, along with the rest of the world, was deeply sad as this was produced only a few days after President Kennedy was assassinated. Judy especially was having a hard time as the President was a close friend of hers. Nevertheless, this Christmas show has gone on to be one of the most beautifully produced Holiday specials ever made for television. It was also Judy's favorite out of the 26 shows she made. Miss Garland is joined by her children Liza Minnelli, Lorna Luft (in her TV singing debut), and Joey Luft. Mel Torme and Jack Jones also guest star. Songs in this wonderful episode are "Jingle Bells", "Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town", "Silent Night", "Deck The Halls", "Have Youself A Merry Little Christmas", and more. The highlight is Judy's rendition of "Over The Rainbow" that she performs as a closing number. You will watch this timeless classic every Holiday season!

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Judy At Her Best, November 5, 2009

By 

Dean G. Ehlers "Dean G. Ehlers" (New Mexico) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Judy Garland Holiday Special (DVD)

I have watched this many times and each time I watch it I have to say it gets more enchanting. The Judy Garland Show has stood the test of time over the years, and this episode from that series is not exception. Each song is thrilling and to watch her with her children is a real treat. The folks at Pioneer Entertainment have done a great service to us all by restoring this show from original video elements and creating a magnificent 5.1 experience. From one of the best singers of the 20th century comes a treat that you will enjoy over and over again. Buy this DVD you will not be sorry.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A CHERISHED CHRISTMAS TREASURE FROM JUDY GARLAND, November 18, 2009

By 

DEWEY M. "MOVIE & MUSICAL THEATRE MAN" (ELLENSBURG, WA,) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Judy Garland Holiday Special (DVD)

"The Judy Garland Christmas Show/Holiday Special" (taped December 6, 1963 and aired December 22, 1963) is said to be Judy's favorite episode from her 1963-1964 CBS musical variety show. It is easy to see why. Judy's children, Liza Minnelli and Lorna and Joey Luft, are her very special guests. The episode is structured like an "informal" Christmas party, and the set is a facsimile of Judy's own home at the time in Brentwood, California.
Several songs from Broadway shows ("Steam Heat" from "The Pajama Game", "Consider Yourself" and "Where Is Love?" from "Oliver!"; and "Wouldn't It Be Loverly?" from "My Fair Lady") are included alongside traditional Christmas favorites. Young Lorna Luft sings a swinging rendition of "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town." Liza Minnelli, joined by her "beau", dancer Tracey Everitt, sings "Alice Blue Gown." Guest Jack Jones sings a beautiful ballad titled "Lolipops And Roses." Judy is most magical of all when she sings an emotionally charged version of "Little Drops Of Rain", a song from the animated film "Gay Purree", for which Judy provided the voice of the cat Mewsette.
Halfway through the episode, the party is interrupted by dancers dressed as Santa Claus, who dance an odd chorus line to "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer" (twice, actually-- once, joined by Judy). The "dancing Santas" are soon followed by Mel Torme and the Jud Conlon Chorus. Mel Torme, whom a friend of mine referred to as "a frog in a tuxedo", is called Mel Torment by some of Judy's die-hard fans-- because he wrote a very unflattering book about working with Judy; published after her death. For years, Mel's account was taken as Gospel truth about "The Judy Garland Show"-- until other writers and books, fortunately, offered a more balanced perspective. I love how Judy (intentionally?) flubs the lyrics to Mel's "Christmas Song", and also changes the word "reindeer" to "rainbows." Mel doesn't look too pleased.
Judy opens the show with "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas", from her classic 1944 film "Meet Me In St. Louis." She was asked to close the show with another of her signature songs. Because Judy sang "Over The Rainbow" in virtually every one of her countless concert appearences, she did not want to sing it on her TV show. For this Christmas show, however, she made an exception-- singing an extremely relaxed rendition of "Rainbow" to Lorna and Joey. Just before the final phrase, Joey whispers into Judy's ear. According to Lorna's award-winning documentary "Judy Garland: The Concert Years", Joey whispered, asking Judy to stop singing so they could continue talking! Judy's fans, of course, could listen to her sing forever.
This is one classic Christmas special that generates genuine warmth, decades later-- and Judy's fans will undoubtedly include this as one of our most cherished Christmas Treasures.