Product Details

• Actors: Robert Goulet, Phil Silvers
• Format: Black & White, EP, Original recording reissued, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Delta
• VHS Release Date: March 26, 1996
• Run Time: 52 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6304749058
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #495,358 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

In a comeback appearance that led to her short-lived weekly TV show, Judy Garland did a TV special in 1963 that's now available on video. Garland's performances are forceful and confident, but, unfortunately, she gets little time to sing by herself; that would come later on her TV show. Instead, she shares most of the time with her two costars: Robert Goulet (a recently minted star, thanks to Broadway's Camelot) and Phil Silvers (still basking in the popularity of TV's Sgt. Bilko). This is an intriguing show, if only because it reveals how much more patient TV audiences were in the '60s. Songs go on at a leisurely pace; at one point, Garland and Goulet sing a love medley that includes five complete songs. There's also a bizarre sequence in which the trio changes costumes after every song; at one point they warble "If I Had a Hammer" while dressed as beatniks. Garland seems less distracted than on her subsequent TV show, perhaps because she's sharing the stage with a couple of attention hogs. --Marshall Fine

From the Back Cover

This very special television event, which aired February 1963, helped launch the famed Judy Garland Show, which captivated TV audiences throughout 1963 and 1964. Join Judy, Robert Goulet, and Phil Silvers at their entertaining best for song, dance, and brilliant comedy! 52 minutes.

Songs include: Hello Bluebird, I Happen to Like New York, Love Walked Right In, Here I'll Stay with You Through the Years, If Ever I Would Leave You, Love Is a Lovely Thing, Get Happy, Almost Like Being in Love, This Can't Be Love, I'll Go My Way (By Myself), I'm Following You, Hey Babe, If I Had a Hammer, Who Knows Where or When, We Are the Musketeers, I'm Following You, I Could Go On Singing.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What More Could Be Said Of Judy?, June 28, 1999

By 

C. Hackman "No1important" (easton, pa USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Judy Garland Special - with Robert Goulet and Phil Silvers [VHS] (VHS Tape)

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!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars fine concert with Garland, December 28, 2006

By 

Byron Kolln (the corner where Broadway meets Hollywood) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Judy Garland, Robert Goulet & Phil Silvers Special (DVD)

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.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best duet in history of show business featured here, March 30, 2003

By 

Karen Anderson (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Judy Garland, Robert Goulet & Phil Silvers Special (DVD)

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.