The Judy Garland Show

This is such a great document of a leading actress and singer, Judy Garland, from the last century. It is also an interesting time capsule with such vocalist types as folkie Judy Henske and George Maharis (the latter more known as an actor). What else can I say? Duets with legends Lena Horne, Ethel Merman, her daughter Liza Minnelli and a young Barbra Streisand not to mention a delightfully cute and moving tribute to children's songs with Louis Jourdan. I never would have thought I'd hear Garland sing "Popeye the Sailor Man" or "Someday My Prince Will Come." I would have given the series a higher mark if the format changes didn't make it so frustrating but the high points DO outshine any flaws. For instance, guest Bobby Darin is simply awesome. I enjoyed the "Tea for Two" segments as they broke up (gave us a rest from) all the singing and dancing. They also spotlighted celebrities who might not sing or seem appropriate to the variety show format: this segment gave such notables a chance to tell a story or shine in some other way: Jayne Meadows and Leo Deroscher (and I personally hate baseball) come to mind. Jerry Van Dyke had a worthless role and I think he did what he could with such a thankless and demeaning part as a sidekick, which Garland didn't need anyway. n I could go on but I think the DVDs speak loudly for themselves: great sound and picture quality. Pioneer did wonders with these shows and their attention and love for the body of work is evident throughout. Some are better than others in picture quality but this is a minor point as so many of the taped shows from the following decade, the 1970s, such as Norman Lear shows, do not look this good and possess a murky picture quality.