Judy! Judy! Judy!
What could be more stereotypical than a gay movie and DVD website trumpeting the release of
some Judy Garland product? Alright, be that as it may, stereotypical or not, there's a reason
why "our" gal's death ignited a revolution (you do remember Stonewall, don't you?) in the first
place. And it's not only just because she played Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz (although, of
course, that would be reason enough). Garland's still the greatest singer of all time (sorry
Barbra, sorry Laura, sorry Frank) and here are a couple of exhibits that offer ample proof of her
enduring talent.
What could be more stereotypical than a gay movie and DVD website trumpeting the release of
some Judy Garland product? Alright, be that as it may, stereotypical or not, there's a reason
why "our" gal's death ignited a revolution (you do remember Stonewall, don't you?) in the first
place. And it's not only just because she played Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz (although, of
course, that would be reason enough). Garland's still the greatest singer of all time (sorry
Barbra, sorry Laura, sorry Frank) and here are a couple of exhibits that offer ample proof of her
enduring talent.
Yes, yes, yes, I am one of those gay men who worshipped at Garland's altar
first and foremost. I've read all the books, seen all the movies, heard most if
not all the records but oddly enough, I've never seen a complete episode of
Judy's infamous early 1960s television variety series.
Oh the legendary Barbra Streisand-Judy duets, to be sure, and a lot of other
bits and pieces as well. I have a nice memory of sitting in a memorabilia stuffed
apartment in West Hollywood in the mid-80s with my dear friend Neil. Now he
WORSHIPPED Garland and had video tapes of all the shows. His parents had
taken him to nearly every taping and he ate, drank and slept Judy day and
night. But somehow, the grainy quality of the tapes (surely they were
bootlegs) and the dusty, claustrophobic apartment was a bit overwhelming.
Now, thanks to Geneon Entertainment I've had my first good look at complete
episodes of Garland's television show. Though they've released all the shows
(carefully restored) in boxed sets, they're now releasing individual discs that
each contain two full length episodes.
In the first set, Judy welcomes the mistress of cool, Peggy Lee, as her guest
and its a fascinating vocal match. The next episode goes in a completely
different direction with Ethel Merman, the brashest of the belters. The second
disc features Tony Bennett, Dick Shawn, June Allyson, and Steve Lawrence,
again in two complete episodes of the show. Aside from Garland's always
extraordinary vocal stylings (to be expected), there are the pleasures of
watching a true variety show of the 1960s -- complete with all those fabulous
dancers doing their Fossee-esque routines that have been parodied so much
and always make me laugh. The bizarre "Tea for Two" segment in which Judy
"chats" with her guests was certainly inspired by her appearances on the Jack
Paar show that encouraged CBS to go after her in the first place. But Judy's
clearly fidgety, constantly pawing at her hair, and just seems uncomfortable --
though clearly she's game to try anything she's asked to do.
It's not hard to see why, for all her amazing voice, the show didn't last,
however. Though there are inspired vocal moments with each of the guests,
often Judy doesn't seem to really connect with them (though the same can't be
said of her rapport with the audience -- always there). At times she's either so
jittery or plainly unrehearsed you find yourself willing her to get through the
silly patter and some of the songs she's asked to sing. The Jerry Van Dyke
material, especially, in which he was given the misguided task of "humanizing"
Garland by referring to her as "a little old lady" is mostly dreadful.
But those negatives pale when one watches prime Garland singing numbers
like "Happiness Is Just a Thing Called Joe," dueting with Peggy Lee on "Fever"
or Merman on "Anything Goes," and especially when performing "The Battle
Hymn of the Republic" (against the network's wishes) as an homage to the
recently assassinated President Kennedy, a Garland friend.
The discs also feature fascinating outtakes. I look forward to more single disc
offerings of episodes from the show and in the meantime, recommend music
director of the show Mel Torme's memoir "The Other Side of the Rainbow with
Judy Garland on the Dawn Patrol." He's seen in one of the outtakes living up to
his nickname, "The Velvet Fog," swingin' his way through "Don't Get Around
Much Anymore."
first and foremost. I've read all the books, seen all the movies, heard most if
not all the records but oddly enough, I've never seen a complete episode of
Judy's infamous early 1960s television variety series.
Oh the legendary Barbra Streisand-Judy duets, to be sure, and a lot of other
bits and pieces as well. I have a nice memory of sitting in a memorabilia stuffed
apartment in West Hollywood in the mid-80s with my dear friend Neil. Now he
WORSHIPPED Garland and had video tapes of all the shows. His parents had
taken him to nearly every taping and he ate, drank and slept Judy day and
night. But somehow, the grainy quality of the tapes (surely they were
bootlegs) and the dusty, claustrophobic apartment was a bit overwhelming.
Now, thanks to Geneon Entertainment I've had my first good look at complete
episodes of Garland's television show. Though they've released all the shows
(carefully restored) in boxed sets, they're now releasing individual discs that
each contain two full length episodes.
In the first set, Judy welcomes the mistress of cool, Peggy Lee, as her guest
and its a fascinating vocal match. The next episode goes in a completely
different direction with Ethel Merman, the brashest of the belters. The second
disc features Tony Bennett, Dick Shawn, June Allyson, and Steve Lawrence,
again in two complete episodes of the show. Aside from Garland's always
extraordinary vocal stylings (to be expected), there are the pleasures of
watching a true variety show of the 1960s -- complete with all those fabulous
dancers doing their Fossee-esque routines that have been parodied so much
and always make me laugh. The bizarre "Tea for Two" segment in which Judy
"chats" with her guests was certainly inspired by her appearances on the Jack
Paar show that encouraged CBS to go after her in the first place. But Judy's
clearly fidgety, constantly pawing at her hair, and just seems uncomfortable --
though clearly she's game to try anything she's asked to do.
It's not hard to see why, for all her amazing voice, the show didn't last,
however. Though there are inspired vocal moments with each of the guests,
often Judy doesn't seem to really connect with them (though the same can't be
said of her rapport with the audience -- always there). At times she's either so
jittery or plainly unrehearsed you find yourself willing her to get through the
silly patter and some of the songs she's asked to sing. The Jerry Van Dyke
material, especially, in which he was given the misguided task of "humanizing"
Garland by referring to her as "a little old lady" is mostly dreadful.
But those negatives pale when one watches prime Garland singing numbers
like "Happiness Is Just a Thing Called Joe," dueting with Peggy Lee on "Fever"
or Merman on "Anything Goes," and especially when performing "The Battle
Hymn of the Republic" (against the network's wishes) as an homage to the
recently assassinated President Kennedy, a Garland friend.
The discs also feature fascinating outtakes. I look forward to more single disc
offerings of episodes from the show and in the meantime, recommend music
director of the show Mel Torme's memoir "The Other Side of the Rainbow with
Judy Garland on the Dawn Patrol." He's seen in one of the outtakes living up to
his nickname, "The Velvet Fog," swingin' his way through "Don't Get Around
Much Anymore."
Knight at HOME at the Movies
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