Customer Reviews

Judy Garland's Hollywood [VHS]

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

 

 

Though some may say that this is a boring video, I on the other hand thoroughly enjoyed it! The first half of the video brings you live coverage of the opening of A Star Is Born! Many well knowns are on hand to give Judy rightly desserved praise for the film which at that time was still in its entirety. It's a real treat to hear from all the wonderful stars as they talk about Judy and the rest of the wonderful Star Is Born cast! Judy herself also makes an appearance at the microphone and speaks of her movie and her husband, Sid. GREAT! Judy is marvelous! The second half of the video deals with Ken Murray's home movies and he has wonderful rare footage of Judy playing tennis and watching tennis. :) Also showcased are Dick Powell, June Allyson, Eleanor Powell, Mickey Rooney and many more! This really is a great addition to anyone's collection.

This video is really two programs for the price of one, both featuring the legendary Judy Garland!

First up is a special treat for those of us who love to look back at the "old days" of Hollywood! It offers up some original footage of the premiere of Judy's great motion picture "A Star Is Born", circa September 1954! We get to see lots and lots of famous (albeit younger) faces as they file by the camera before entering the famed Pantages theatre for the premiere. Lots of nostalgic fun!

Second, we're treated to some of Ken Murray's "home movies". Miss Garland is by Ken's side (as a sort of co-host here) as we look at several decades' worth of images featuring many of Hollywood's biggest stars, including some of Judy herself.

Running time is 58 minutes for this VHS video.

What is the most interesting thing about this video is how fake all the celebraties, besides Judy were. No wonder she didn't get her academy award, given the obvious jealousy that surrounded her.

I found this gem at my local library and after viewing it, came directly to Amazon to buy it. If you are a devotee of the Golden Age of Hollywood and the actors and actresses of the period, or of Mrs. Garland herself, you simply must get this. The first section at the Pantages premiere is enjoyable with the exception of occasional mumblings of the names of the guests on the part of the announcers. At one point, a lady who looked like Elizabeth Taylor was presented but I never heard her name; I may have heard, " Mrs. Micheal Wilding". But she looked very like Mrs. Taylor, so I wonder.....
The second part I enjoyed even more. Candid video of many of the actors/actresses of the period out and about, street scenes, motorcars, the Ambassador Hotel....for enthusiasts of the Golden Age of Hollywood or of the first half of the twentieth century - things like this are bliss. Quality of the images and audio is very good with occasional overexposure of some outside pictures.

Truly, this tape is only for those who worship Ms. Garland, as the first segment is of the Hollywood Premiere of "A Star Is Born" and shows Hollywood stars stopping at the microphone, giving a few comments and exiting into the theatre for the film. It becomes tiring very soon, as you realize without a script some of these people were not the best at spontaneous dialogue! The second half of the tape is of segments from her TV variety show, wherein Ken Murray who was known for his "Hollywood Home Movies", shows film clips and talks about what is taking place as the clips run. Some of them are of Ms. Garland when she was quite young and she obviously enjoys the segments as you can hear her laughing uncontrollably as she's watching them. Purely for Garland addicts.

The prior customer comments pretty much sums it up. Garland was known to be quite witty, or could be when she felt comfortable enough. Clearly, she wasn't up to it when forced to endure Ken Murray's rather self-serving "Hollywood Home Movies."

And that long, boring "Star is Born" premiere! Please! Very little is revealed here, except that Greer Garson comes across as a self-aggrandizing boor when she gets her turn at the podium.