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Rating: Summary: A Big Fat Disappointment Review: After all the hoopla, I was let down. The tape starts promisingly enough, with a fantastic version of "Hello Bluebird" completely on par with her film version of the same.Her synergy with her two co-stars is quite nice to watch, spontaneous and relaxed and genuine, unlike the totally weird concert with Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra, also available thru Amazon (but not worth it!) But Garland is not at her best apart from that first number, and the extremely long "comedy" skit near the end fell quite flat.
Rating: Summary: A Big Fat Disappointment Review: After all the hoopla, I was let down. The tape starts promisingly enough, with a fantastic version of "Hello Bluebird" completely on par with her film version of the same. Her synergy with her two co-stars is quite nice to watch, spontaneous and relaxed and genuine, unlike the totally weird concert with Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra, also available thru Amazon (but not worth it!) But Garland is not at her best apart from that first number, and the extremely long "comedy" skit near the end fell quite flat.
Rating: Summary: Why not remastered? Review: Although this DVD presentation didn't fall short of any of my expectations of JUDY and the way other reviews covered the VHS version was onpar with the DVD version. My biggest problem is the quality...If this had been remastered it would have been even better. Hello Bluebird is clearly the highlight of the show, JUDY gives her best rendition of the song that I have heard. The studio recording of it drags but JUDY delivers it perfectly here. Many of the rest of JUDY's solo performances are/can be found on Pioneers release of the Judy Garland show..I reccomend those for tracks like Almost Like Being In Love and By Myself. JUDY's performance of Get Happy should not be considered her best work but it is sentimental, as is any JUDY performance that can be viewed or heard. This DVD should be digital remastered and re-released. A true fans buy.
Rating: Summary: Why not remastered? Review: Although this DVD presentation didn't fall short of any of my expectations of JUDY and the way other reviews covered the VHS version was onpar with the DVD version. My biggest problem is the quality...If this had been remastered it would have been even better. Hello Bluebird is clearly the highlight of the show, JUDY gives her best rendition of the song that I have heard. The studio recording of it drags but JUDY delivers it perfectly here. Many of the rest of JUDY's solo performances are/can be found on Pioneers release of the Judy Garland show..I reccomend those for tracks like Almost Like Being In Love and By Myself. JUDY's performance of Get Happy should not be considered her best work but it is sentimental, as is any JUDY performance that can be viewed or heard. This DVD should be digital remastered and re-released. A true fans buy.
Rating: Summary: Appealing Judy in first-rate variety show! Review: Judy gives an exciting virtuoso performance in this 1963 TV special which served both as a pilot for her variety series and a plug for her last film, "I Could Go On Singing", then in current release. Looking chic and sophisticated, Judy mixes wonderfully with Phil Silvers. They click so well together, its a wonder he was not signed as a regular on her TV series. Her love-song duet with stiff Goulet, on the other hand, is a bit overdone. The pair seems so caught up in the lyrics, you almost expect them to drop to the floor mid-tune in a steamy clinch. Happily, the hour shows Garland at her superstar zenith in stirring solo moments such as "I Happen To Like New York" and "By Myself". Regrettably, her inferior "Get Happy" serves only to remind viewers of her former MGM salad days. Such carping should not detract from the overall enjoyability of this video and the glowing luster of Miss Garland's megawatt talent. If your not won over by her infectious charm and virtuosity amply displayed in this TV special, you never will be!
Rating: Summary: Could have been better, given time Review: Ms. Garland's TV special, prior to her weekly TV series, is a bit hit-and-miss. The taping quality isn't that great. One wonders what CBS used when compared to shows of the same era taped at NBC?? At least NBC had color! Anyway, back to Ms. Garland's show. She seems ill, her voice not up to performing quality, as shown in her number, "By Myself" and "Almost Like Being In Love/This Can't Be Love" and at other times, letter perfect. Her duets with Robert Goulet are delightful and her voice's full range and power come through during their duet of "Through The Years". It's obvious that she enjoyed herself while taping this show and is wonderful during her banter with Phil Silvers. she can barely keep a straight face during their comedy sequence about NYC! It would have been letter perfect if they'd allowed her to rest before taping her solo numbers, as is proven with the poor rendition of "Get Happy". For die-hard Garland fans, a must. For others, they may not rise above the technical mediocrity or be as forgiving when her voice fails.
Rating: Summary: 1963 Special with Judy, Robert Goulet and Phil Silvers. Review: Nearly a full hour of singing starring Judy Garland with guests Robert Goulet and Phil Silvers. Basically a pilot for her television series that began later in the fall of 1963. The focus was primarily on new material but a wonderful version of Get Happy is also included. Judy is fantastic in some romantic numbers with Goulet and some quite funny musical parodies with Silvers. Among Judy's other solo's in the show are I Could Go on Singing and a great version of Hello Bluebird. A must for all Judy Fans.
Rating: Summary: Best duet in history of show business featured here Review: People, people. The hightlight of this DVD is the five-song medley with Robert Goulet that is so charged with chemistry and excitement, they literally shoot sparks through the TV screen. Wow!! What can be said about these two together? There was definite magic in the air when these songs were sung. One wonders what Sid Luft must have thought about the Goulet duet, because wow, the two of them evoked such loving passion for each other, perhaps staged, perhaps not, that was the equivalent of undeniable lovemaking right there on TV for all the world to see. THE SPARKS FLY, especially with Judy's "Through the Years" as the crescendo and "Love is a Lovely Thing" culminating in a carefree romp! I can watch this one over and over again and say with confidence it is the most outstanding duet I've ever seen. Judy is magic with Goulet, sheer magic, and Goulet rises to the occasion with each and every moment. You must, must, must check this one out. Don't be mislead by other reviewers on this DVD. The Goulet duet is fantastic, unbelievable, breathtaking, sensual, erotic, evocative, powerful and, like Judy herself, unforgettable.
Rating: Summary: The best full-length TV show by Garland currently on video. Review: The energy and warmth of her personality come through and the effect is riveting. She positively sparkles in the comdedy skit with Silvers, and the romantic chemistry with Goulet adds so much to their duet. It's interesting to see how she feeds on that chemistry to turn out a knockout performance of "Through the Years" that nearly causes her to forget where she is for a moment, she is so pleased with herself. In short, there is a comeradery here that is sadly missing from other shows, like the one with Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin for instance. She is obviously having a lot of fun. Goulet's vocals are, as usual, flat, but Garland's way with each song, her vocal inflection, her movement and gestures, are for the most part unerring, particularly in the opening song, "Hello, Bluebird". Virtually the only exception being the medley "Almost Like Being In Love/This Can't Be Love" with Garland looking and sounding like she hadn't slept in a week. It's hard to believe it was filmed on the same day as the rest of the special.
Rating: Summary: What More Could Be Said Of Judy? Review: Will all the super reviews on this tape I just had to add the one thing which I think was the most important yet everyone else has seemed to miss. In a segment where Silvers, Goulet and Garland do a spoof on each other's songs in a well planned medley there are several "laugh out loud" moments but here is the very best.....all at once to see Silvers and Goulet in "drag" as Judy lip singing to her real singing imitating all her moves etc was not only a spoof of all the drag queens doing Judy even then but quite a statement as well! It was truely hysterical! This tape is 60's TV variety at it's very best, it's just plain terrific! A must see for anyone who likes great music and phenomenal talent all in one!
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