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The Other Side of the Rainbow: Behind the Scenes on the Judy Garland Television Series

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Mel Torme's THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RAINBOW WITH JUDY GARLAND ON THE DAWN PATROL was the first book about Garland to appear after her death, and it paints a portait of an out-of-control star struggling to endure the rigors of a television series that debuted with tremendous fanfare and then degenerated into chaos and total failure. Garland's family, friends, associates, many of those who actually worked on the television series, and later biographers have been extremely, extremely critical of this book, denouncing it as one-sided, self-serving, and mean-spirited.

In light of several later biographies and at least one unbiased and exhaustively researched book on the CBS series itself, those accusations would seem to be true--but the main thing that undermines Torme's description of both Judy Garland and her CBS series is the current availability of the series itself, which has been released to the home market in VHS and DVD. There is little doubt that Garland was tempestuous, drug-ridden, and often difficult to work with during this period--but the actual series itself shows little of undisciplined chaos Torme describes; some moments are weak, some moments are strong, and some moments are awe-inspiring, but all in all the actual series is surprisingly innovative when seen during the context of its era. It is also worth mentioning that many of Garland's most acclaimed recording releases have been drawn from her performances for this particular series.

That said, this does not change the fact that THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RAINBOW is an interesting read. Torme is clearly angry about the whole thing (he eventually sued Garland's production company, and the book includes transcripts of Garland's depositions during the suit), and he adopts a snide tone that makes the work intriguing--and no doubt his account is accurate in the sense that it conveys the situation as he himself saw it. But to say it lacks any degree of balance would be the understatement of the century: Garland emerges as a has-been harridan and Torme inevitably comes up smelling like a rose.

As one person who worked on Garland's television series later remarked, "as a historian Mel Torme is a great singer." Because of the complete lack of balance and the self-serving and mean-spirited nature of the work (all the more deadly for being hidden behind a facade of affection), I do not recommend this particular book to some one casually interested in Garland; on the other hand, those with a serious interest in the artist who can approach the work in light of unbiased accounts of Garland, Torme, and the history of The Judy Garland Show will find it an interesting sidelight on what was arguably one of Garland's most artistically productive eras. Final word: you'll need to take it with more than a few grains of salt, so keep the shaker handy.

Supremely interesting book if you're a fan of Judy Garland and wish to know more about her acclaimed television series and simultaneous tragic mistreatment at the hands of CBS studio execs. No surprises in the book with regards to revelations regarding Judy Garland's addictions and at-times unprofessional behavior, traits well-documented by countless other sources. What was surprising, however, was the apparent extent to which Mr. Torme had bitter feelings towards Ms. Garland. "Catty" remarks (meOOOOW...pfft pfft!!) litter the pages, and Torme seems to absolutely revel in relaying some of the cruel, and at times crude comments he overheard directed towards his boss (Judy in fact owned the rights to her show). No gentleman, here. Torme also often comes off a bit full of himself. Two examples (out of many): at one point he sulks over Frank Sinatra's "insufficient" praise of his singing ability after Sinatra and Garland attend one of his nightclub performances; another time, when Judy asks him if he agreed with her that Jack Jones was the greatest male jazz singer, he decided to "play it cute" and place his hand over his heart and answer "Well, now that you ask, no, I don't"...this right after he manages to inform the reader that Jack Jones had stated in print AND on television (my emphasis) that Mel Torme was his favorite "jazz-oriented" male singer. Wow!!!! Finally, Torme's writing style tends towards the "cute" and he strives too too too hard to be hip, making extended reading sessions unbearable; for that reason this book is best read a chapter at a time. Interesting aside; this book first came out in 1970, the year after Judy Garland's death. That fact alone speaks volumes about the man.

Torme, whose career was considered largely over at the time he was hired to work on The Judy Garland Show, has painted a highly colored and self-serving portait of the late singer. Not only does the book reek of sour grapes, it is at complete odds with other, less biased accounts of The Judy Garland Show. Give it a miss.

In 1975 Glenn Ford admitted that if he ever ran into Mel Torme he would punch him in the face. The reason behind that remark came from a book by the name of 'The Other Side of the Rainbow' which was released in 1970. In Ford's own words, Torme had told horrible lies about the most wonderful woman in the world. That woman was Judy Garland.

Torme's book was the first real book on Judy to appear after her death. It was accepted then as a definitive account of working with the great legend on her 1963-64 television series THE JUDY GARLAND SHOW. Torme's presented Judy as a psychotic, temperamental cyclone intent on destroying everything in her path.

It took twenty years for the real story to come out and for Judy to be vindicated. In 1990, Coyne Steven Sanders destroyed Torme's account with the force of ten atomic bombs with his book 'Rainbow's End'. With the help of many of Judy's co-workers, we finally got a glimpse of the real lady behind myth, and in doing so we got a great look at the pathetic arrogant, egotist that was Mel Torme.

There was post script to this. In late 1989, Torme was having a jog on the beach in Malibu when he was approached by Mort Lindsey coming the other way. Torme told Lindsey that a man named Steven Sanders had called him about a book on Judy's series. Lindsey knew about Sanders and told Torme that he was a good guy. Torme was shaken and unhappy and told Lindsey "I have already written that book".

Lindsey: Yes but this book is going to be different.
Torme: How?
Lindsey: It's going to tell the truth

To counter attack Sanders, Torme re-released his version of events at the same time as Sanders. His book was heavily edited and toned down to look a lot better than it did twenty years earlier. This book has fooled a lot of people into thinking that Torme's book really wasn't as harsh as it appears. Do not be fooled and read
Rainbow's End' by Coyne Steven Sanders.

I have read this book and also read through the other reviews and wonder how people reading the same thing come up with such different opinions. Mel Torme is definately presenting things from his perspective. That anyone could read the book and think Judy disrepected or disliked him is hard to swallow. They must not have read it very closely. It would be the reverse if anything but that would be a little hard to swallow too. He does show a little bitterness I think but overall expresses his overall thankfulness in having worked with her. Would I recommend this book? I think so. For us Judy fans it is good to get everyone's perspective who knew her well.

Mel Torme writes about his time as a writer of Special Material on the very troubled Judy Garland television series. He uses his insider's position to self-promote at the expense of the Legendary singer. The sad after-taste left by this memoir is that Mr. Torme, a legend in his own right, has reduced himself to the level of a tabloid reporter.

Since the original publication of this book, many have come out questioning the "accuracy" of Mr. Torme's "grueling" task of working on this ill-fated show, which by the way is now considered a classic of its genre, in TV. The way he writes about Ms. Garland, it's amazing that he didn't have to spoonfeed her the lyrics! One has to wonder how she managed performing for the many years before she hired him for her show. For a more accurate read on The Judy Garland Show, I highly recommend Mr.Coyne Steven Sanders' book, "Rainbow's End". What a shame Mr. Torme isn't forced to refund those of us who ended up throwing out his "recollection".

I had read "It Wasn't All Velvet" and wished there was more written by Mel. So I was very pleased to find this little gem. It is an easy read, and quite revealing. As a matter of fact, if you are a Judy Garland fan, you might want to read something else.

Mel Torme's writing skills create a fascinating and devasting tale. Although he himself was an unabashed fan of Garland's, his observations jive unfortunately with other reports of Judy's very bad, often psychotic behavior. I am a huge fan of both Torme and Garland, but truth be told Judy got sicker and sicker mentally and physically throughout the 60's.Others have described almost the same thing. If his prose tends to be a bit innocent, well he is probably painting a rosier picture of his own behavior. But that doesn't detract from the blow-by-blow descriptions of Judy's paranoia, neediness, demands, and unwillingness to cooperate and be part of a team. She is far from innocent and made life hell for plenty besides Torme.She was also brilliant, tremendously talented and capable, and Torme makes a point of giving a fair even portrait of this very troubled soul. If you like show biz books, give this book a chance and accept Judy, warts and all. Mel Torme is a terrific writer. All of his books are wonderful reading.

Readers expecting a rhapsodized eulogy of the legend will be sadly disappointed. This is a glimpse into hell, with Garland as mistress of ceremonies. Critics are correct that its author does come off looking a bit too saintly, but as a portrait of Garland and, equally importantly, of the 60's television industry, his tale has the gritty ring of accuracy. Not only are details keenly remembered, but the book scores credibility points for never failing to remember, and in it's own way pay tribute to, Garland's towering appeal, her gargantuan talent. The tone of Torme's fascinating work is ultimately neither one of adulation nor horror, but awestruck wonder. It should not be mistaken for a complete picture of its subject. It is, however, a well balanced portait of Garland during a difficult period. As such it's value is in illuminating the complexity of its subject by offering up a side of Garland that is distasteful but nonetheless integral to a deeper understanding of her personality, her life and untimately, her work. Garland is more vividly realized here that she is in other more "respectful" biographies.