Rating: 
Summary: BUY IT!
Review: A wonderful DVD worth the purchase! The quality is incredible! I am a true Judy Garland fan, but surprizingly may become a Streisand fan...what a performance from Barbra! A fantastic duo performance! I was a little dissappointed in the outtakes, but the menus, quality and commentary by Mort Lindsey definitely make up for it!
Rating: 
Summary: One memorable show, one 'interesting'
Review: Great to have a classic episode available in its entirety in DVD quality. Def. a must, though with qualifications to the release in general. Streisand episode varies wildy in quality, from awkward schtick to thrilling duets. One marvels at how such a young singer could be so mannered - still, for me it is Barbra at her most amazing, when she was new, fresh and extraordinary - and funny. The Merman Moment is made for me by Babs sending up Ethel's bombast on 'Showbiz'. There is undeniable drama in the contrast between a vulnerable and adoring Judy alongside the girl who asks, 'Can I replace you?' As ever, Garland seems like a real human being who just happens to have an amazing voice. The O'Connor episode is ropey - you keep wondering why they didn't do retakes on some of the amnesiac false starts and fluffed lines. Fascinating nonetheless. Very little, if any, out-take material of interest this time and with just two episodes rather than the usual four per disc on this series, it feels a little thin.
Rating:
Summary: WOW!
Review: I can't say that I am a Judy Garland fan. I really don't like any of her movies except "Wizard of Oz" and most of her songs don't appeal to me. But after seeing this I can't deny that she was one brilliant performer. With all the troubles she was facing she managed to put on an outstanding show. She is one of the best show hosts I have ever seen. I know if her show was on today I'd pick her over Jay Leno in a second. The moments with Barbra Streisand are classic. I wish they could have been on more shows together or even done a movie together. I'm a huge Barbra fan and it's trilling to see such a young vision of her performing next to a legend.
Rating:
Summary: Classic television
Review: I wanted to buy the Judy Garland show in order of release but instead I chose to start with the show I desired most, the classic episode starring Barbra Streisand and Ethel Merman. The dvd issue is incredible. I've seen the Judy show on PBS and the broadcast never did these shows justice. There's a lot to be said about digital remastering. The taped programs are so crisp they look like thev'e just been shot, and the mono audio is rechanneled for 5.1 surround. The outtakes remind us that Judy was indeed human, the original commericials are a riot and the Smother Brothers humor withstood the test of time. Barbra's "living room" interview with Judy exposes the interesting fact that when Barbra started show business, she couldn't read music. You would never know that given her timing with the performances here, both with Judy and on her own. These days she can not only read music, she composes and scores film. My, how we've grown. The one scene that really humors me is when Judy, Barbra, and Ethel sing "There's No Business Like Show Business" and both Barbra and Judy back off because Ethel out belts them both. What a ham.
Rating:
Summary: WOW
Review: I've seen the Garland / Streisand episode many times on TV and was'nt expecting much of the quality - I even saw a clip of it on a huge screen over Streisand's head at her farewell performance at Madison Square Garden in New York - I was absolutley BLOWN AWAY at the quality of this DVD - The picture is so crisp and sharp it has to be seen to be believed! The sound is also amazing. I don't think this show has ever been seen like this before and believe me, I'm very picky when it comes to DVD quality. Oh yeah, the show is good too:)
Rating:
Summary: A legendary TV show on DVD for the first time!
Review: In 1963, Judy Garland was at the height of her powers as a singer, entertainer and actress with a career spanning more than 3 decades in which she had captured the world's collective heart on stage, film, radio and records. The only medium she had yet to conquer was television. To this point, she had made only sporadic TV appearances although her two tv specials in 1962 and 1963 respectively were ratings and critical smashes. At this point in her career, one of the few things Judy hadn't attempted was a weekly variety series. In 1963 this became a reality on the CBS network with "The Judy Garland Show". And, Vol 5 of the DVD releases from this legendary series contains the first two episodes to be aired.These two shows are fascinating as they present Judy in two quite different settings from an artistic and musical standpoint. The premiere episode features Judy's longtime friend Donald O'Connor and features the pair remembering their days in vaudeville as children. The second show, with a young Barbra Streisand is porbably the most famous of the series and sees Garland rising to the challenge of performing with her "newest and nicest friend", at that time the most exciting new female singer to come along seen at the very outset of her career. Both shows present a calm, totally in control Garland enjoying the company of her guests and performing at the peak of her powers. Highlights from the O'Connor guest appearance include the Garland solo "Fly Me To The Moon", a song new to Judy but one she performs beautifully in a performance that set the standard and style for her subsequent solo song performances on the show. The show's memorable "Tea For Two" segment in which Garland could enjoy a relaxed, ad lib conversation with one of her guests has her sharing childhood memmories with old friend O'Connor. Their chat about their vaudeville days is delightful. Also fun is an elaborate production number, "The World Is Your Balloon" which has Garland, O'Connor and the series regular comic Jerry Van Dyke in clown costumes. In all, the series premiere is delightful and was in it's original airing in September 1963 a critical and ratings smash. The second show to air was the episode featuring a young and rising Barbra Streisand just prior to her "Funny Girl" Broadway success and riding high on the success of her first two highly acclaimed albums. What is fascinating in this episode, which is probably the most famous from the series due to the teaming of these two divas, is to compare the Garland style with that of Streisand and to see how well the two work together. Both are obviously in awe of the others considerable talents and while Garland is open, warm and vulnerable, Streisand is assured, controlled and unafraid at this early stage in her career. Despite these differences, the two woman work perfectly together. In fact, no other female performer that Streisand has worked with since can come close to achieving the level of warmth and affinity with her that Garland does. It is a truly wonderful teaming. It is also unique for although Streisand longed for a repeat teaming with Garland it was not to be. However, this one off appearance is more than enough and has deservedly achieved a legendary status among the greatest moments in TV history. The highlight of this show is undoubtedly the two medelys that Garland and Streisand perform. The first, the unforgettable pairing of Streisand's "Happy Day's Are Here Again" with a ballad version of Garland's "Get Happy" was actually the idea of Garland herself and remains a defining moment in both performers careers. In fact, a portion of this number was included by Streisand in her recent "Timeless" concerts. Later in the show, the two team up for the lengthier "Hooray For Love" medley that allows each singer to play off each other in some of their signature tunes and some new to both singer. The highlight here is Garland's spontaneous laughter during Streisand's "Lover Come Back". Again, an unforgettable moment from an unforgettable show. Other highlights from this episode include a "surprise" guest appearance from Ethel Merman who interrupts "Tea For Two" with Garland and Streisand. The legendary Merm' is in fine form and literally takes charge of the spot which culminates in the three divas joining in for an "inpromptu" rendition of "There's No Business Like Show Business". What is interesting to watch in this segment is Streisand's discomfort when she stands between Merman and Garland and how she quickly repositions herself so that Merman take centre spot in the group. Also featured on this show are The Smother's Brothers and series regular Jerry Van Dyke. As with all the previous DVD releases from "The Judy Garland Show" by Pioneer Entertainment, these two episodes have been remastered to ensure superior audio and visual quality. Also included are previously unseen out takes and audio commentary. My recommendation: for fans of the one and only Judy Garland, this DVD is an absolute must. The same goes for fans of Streisand. For anyone who wants to find out what it means to be a true entertainer, buy this disc and find out while enjoying Judy Garland at her best. You won't be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Sacred Monsters: Buy one... get two for free
Review: It is always nice to see a "sacred monster" at her peak introducing another in the making. Garland made it when singing was "for real", and put her seal of approval here to a very young Streisand. The best moment: Garland, Streisand and... Ethel Merman. They don't come like those anymore
Rating:
Summary: Classic Barbra . . . Classic Judy
Review: Judy Garland never really appealed to me. I heard all the fanfare and as a child sat dutifully through The Wizard Of Oz but the mystique that is called "Judy" was always lost on me, until I saw this DVD. An avid Streisand fan, I have seen bits and clips of her duet with Garland (audio: For The Record; video: Timeless). But it wasn't until I watched the entire show that I realized what a multi-talented professional both women are. First let's get technical. The DVD has been remastered with superior sound and fantastic picture. It's in black and white but it oddly seems appropriate. Now the performers. Judy comes across as a down to earth gal who just happens to be able to sing. It isn't until she almost shocks you by reaching for the highest of notes (and holding it) that you realize just how well deserved all the accolades about her are. And Barbra? Raw, eager and anxious and she matches Judy note for note. Whether she's singing "Down With Love", bantering a bit nervously with Ethel Merman (who makes a surprise appearance here) or singing the duets of all time with Judy, she is a marvel. Historical Note: Barbra was new to show business and television was still in its infancy. Her appearance on The Judy Garland Show gained her an Emmy nomination in a category that was created just to cite how good she was). So, get this DVD. You'll see not one but two legends who truly deserve that title.
Rating:
Summary: A natural high~
Review: Okay, I admit that I'm a Garland addict. I have been since I was a kid and my dad made a family event out of watching the TV yearly telecast of "Oz". Then, my mom would play an album that I easily became hooked on, a live performance of Judy Garland's from the '50s, a performance at The Grove in L.A. At the time, I had no idea that the woman singing was the kid from "Oz." I just couldn't get over this incredible voice that I was hearing! Really! Can anyone ever beat her arrangement of "When The Sun Comes Out"? Come on, think about it, folks! Anyway, the DVD. BUY IT!! Buy the collection!! For years, we've heard about the Garland/Streisand duet from the TV show. Yes, it's incredible! What would you expect? However, one thing I've noticed as this collection progresses is how weak the writing was. What did CBS have in mind for this show? It makes NO sense! And Jerry Van Dyke????? PLEASE!! Judy Garland would have been better off to have signed a deal with NBC. They knew how to handle a variety show format. Also, the original producer, George Schlatter, had better luck with NBC. Whatever was going on behind the scenes isn't as important as what was given on stage by this incredible once-in-a-lifetime performer, Judy Garland. She was absolutely everything wrapped into that 4'11" frame and she gave it all to her audiences. You can keep Streisand, Jagger, the almost geriatric Turner, Stewart and yes, even Minelli!! I'll take a Garland performance over any of them any day of the week! She was and is talent personified. Buy and enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: Judy and Babs... who needs show 8
Review: Show #7 was actually the first show aired on Sunday for the series premier... the following Friday they shot Show #9 with Barbra... the producers liked the show so much they decided to change the show to air 2 days latter to this show... Show #9 was actually the second to air in the series... so this release is the first two shows to air for the JGS....
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