Rating: 
Summary: The top of the rainbow
Review: 'Spellbound' That's the only true descriptive of my reaction to watching the Judy Garland Show Boxed Collection. The array of talented guests who appear on the show is breathtaking, but ultimately its Judy herself who rivets our attention to the TV screen. The voice is rich and powerful and Judy looks great (having conquered the weight problems, which had plagued her for the last few years). Judy is not just a great singer however. Her whole presence, delivery and unmistakeble mannerisms combine to transcend her to the legend that she has become. Never has this been better demonstrated than through her performances in her show. Thank goodness this TV show was made (even though it is impossible to understand fully why it only ran for one season). It gives us folks, who are too young to have been lucky enough to see Judy in concert at the peak of her powers, a sample of what it must have been like. As far as I am concerned, I could watch all 14 shows again..and again...and again..(and probably will)!!
Rating:
Summary: Essential
Review: A must have for any fans of great performers. Judy is better than we remember. Over the years everyone has dismissed the series as a disaster. This collection proves the opposite. Yes, there are moments when things go wrong and there are moments when the support players are simply awful. Through all of this Miss Garland triumphs and is completely mesmerizing. A wonderful way to relive the season of 1963-64 when these shows were originally broadcast. They truly don't make them like this anymore and we are all the sadder that they don't. The set is exemplary, especially if you read the book while watching hte programs. This is particularly illuminating. The set advertises a commmentary by George Schlatter (originaly producer). I could not find it anywhere. Ok Pioneer, own up is this a boo boo in an otherwise perfect set?
Rating:
Summary: A MUST-HAVE FOR ALL FOLLOWERS OF JUDY-ISM.
Review: A virtual video feast. Judy in the prime of her powers, as any anti-Bonanza baby-boomer will warmly recall. I too bought a DVD Player for the sole purpose of basking in the wonder of this collection. Flawless sound quality and video too.What a joy to see not only Judy performing, but also to catch the glimpses of Judy being Judy: interacting with her melange of guest stars, improvising her way around disaster, laughing at herself. In short: being the wonderously engaging woman that she was, out from behind the masks of movie roles.Only one gripe: the rather jumbled index of content in the program booklet, and the lack of executive creative talent credits for each show (God knows it was a revolving door.) But the styles of the various regimes were palpable and it would add interest value to have them clearly delineated.All in all, a stellar offering. Also, it's great to share it (in small doses at a time) with non-Judy-ists. They seem quite surprised and enchanted by her unyielding sophistication and genuine wit. This collection shall garner lots of fresh converts, I guarantee. Also the wardrobe offers a fashion feast. Edith Head, Ray Agyahan, Bob Mackie... the essence of '60s show-biz chic!I eagerly await release of the as-yet-unreleased shows: i.e. Barbra, etc. I do hope La Streisand hasn't, in some greedy way, blocked its release!I also hope that Liza, Lorna & Joey (not just Mr. Luft) are profitting in some way from this venture. It would only seem fair!If you don't have it yet, GET IT. If you don't have a DVD Player yet, GET ONE. And take yourself back to that brief shining season when Judy was on top of the world!Brava! Brava! Encore! Encore!
Rating: 
Summary: BUYER BEWARE
Review: Classic moments well restored; HOWEVER, BUYER BEWARE. The box claims this set includes 2 of the "concert" shows, but it DOES NOT. An e-mail to Pioneer Entertainment about this remains unanswered. The best shows are NOT in this set.
Rating:
Summary: A "MUST-OWN" FOR GARLAND FANS
Review: Critic Judith Crist once said, "Either you are are you aren't a Judy Garland fan." If you are a Garland fan, you owe it to yourself to buy this excellect collection. The DVD format presents these black and white shows with such picture and sound quality that they seem almost new. The format also allows easy access to favorite moments. Judy shines in her solo moments, giving performances that range from good to great. Her guests give good performances, and her duets with many of them are real treats. Lena Horne, Tony Bennett, Peggy Lee, Vic Damone, Ethel Merman, Jack Jones and Steve Lawrence are a few of the shining stars featured. Young Liza make a memorable appearance, and Martha Raye does a funny duet with Garland. Even June Allyson, nervous at best, has some clumsily charming moments with Judy. Ray Bolger chatting with Garland about "Wizard of Oz" is also fun. As previous reviewers have commented, some of Judy's quiet moments are the revealation here. "A Cottage for Sale" is a heartbreaker, and Judy's version of "A Foggy Day" sung directly to Terry Thomas is incredible. All in all, a wonderful group of shows. I am looking forward to the second half of the collection.
Rating:
Summary: A "MUST-OWN" FOR GARLAND FANS
Review: Critic Judith Crist once said, "Either you are are you aren't a Judy Garland fan." If you are a Garland fan, you owe it to yourself to buy this excellect collection. The DVD format presents these black and white shows with such picture and sound quality that they seem almost new. The format also allows easy access to favorite moments. Judy shines in her solo moments, giving performances that range from good to great. Her guests give good performances, and her duets with many of them are real treats. Lena Horne, Tony Bennett, Peggy Lee, Vic Damone, Ethel Merman, Jack Jones and Steve Lawrence are a few of the shining stars featured. Young Liza make a memorable appearance, and Martha Raye does a funny duet with Garland. Even June Allyson, nervous at best, has some clumsily charming moments with Judy. Ray Bolger chatting with Garland about "Wizard of Oz" is also fun. As previous reviewers have commented, some of Judy's quiet moments are the revealation here. "A Cottage for Sale" is a heartbreaker, and Judy's version of "A Foggy Day" sung directly to Terry Thomas is incredible. All in all, a wonderful group of shows. I am looking forward to the second half of the collection.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant, Indespensible --- A Glimpse of Judy Garland LIVE!
Review: Depending upon the quality of your home entertainment system, this DVD compendium of Garland's CBS' shows verges on a resurrection of Judy Garland. Sure, the series features awkward moments thanks to the passive-aggressive politics of CBS Executives Aubrey and Stromberg. Still, Garland's performances are offered to us as a testament to her genius as an entertainer. There are so many moments in this collection where she triumphs despite the politics of CBS, gifting us with a legacy of her of genius in which we are allowed to participate so intimately. Itt would be a joke to pit this collection against THE COMPLETE BONANZA, Judy's competition in '63-'64. It's imperative that the entire CBS series is preserved and soon finds its way onto DVD and into our homes. The mere thought that the last show, #26, could present viewers with the audio and visual of outakes such as "Here's To Us!" is the Pop equivalent of the restoration of Davinci's THE LAST SUPPER. Judy is at her best in this collection, for those of us too young to have seen her perform live, it's the next best thing --- don't miss it!
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant, Indespensible --- A Glimpse of Judy Garland LIVE!
Review: Depending upon the quality of your home entertainment system, this DVD compendium of Garland's CBS' shows verges on a resurrection of Judy Garland. Sure, the series features awkward moments thanks to the passive-aggressive politics of CBS Executives Aubrey and Stromberg. Still, Garland's performances are offered to us as a testament to her genius as an entertainer. There are so many moments in this collection where she triumphs despite the politics of CBS, gifting us with a legacy of her of genius in which we are allowed to participate so intimately. Itt would be a joke to pit this collection against THE COMPLETE BONANZA, Judy's competition in '63-'64. It's imperative that the entire CBS series is preserved and soon finds its way onto DVD and into our homes. The mere thought that the last show, #26, could present viewers with the audio and visual of outakes such as "Here's To Us!" is the Pop equivalent of the restoration of Davinci's THE LAST SUPPER. Judy is at her best in this collection, for those of us too young to have seen her perform live, it's the next best thing --- don't miss it!
Rating:
Summary: BUY THIS NOW!
Review: Don't ask questions, just buy this today. Pure entertainment, great guest stars, and the one and only JUDY.
Rating:
Summary: Now THATS entertainment!
Review: For anyone who wants to be entertained over and over and over again, BUY THIS SET! The quality of the product is supurb, the packaging clever and well designed. Viewers will be treated to some of the most entertaining hours of of one of this century's greatest female entertainers. Judy and her guests give what this world has missed for a while... true variety! From talking to dancing to singing to laughing, you get it ALL here. Sure, some of the sketches are not always to top knotch and notes are sometimes missed, HOWEVER its true entertainment in its purest form. That is the beauty of this set. From the orchestrations to the sets and costumes a treat for the eyes and ears. There are hundreds of songs to be heard on these DVDs and should be! You will not be sorry you bought them. I am not! Can't wait for the others and maybe THEY will include the commentary that would be very very interesting!
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