The Judy Garland Show

The Judy Garland Show originally aired on CBS during the 1963-1964 television season against ratings juggernaut Bonanza – therefore, it isn’t surprising the show barely lasted a season.

Like the troubled star, the series was beset by production difficulties from the beginning, including hiring and firing three executive producers in the course of this single 26-episode season (among them, Laugh-In producer George Schlatter).

With the change in producers would also come changes to the format of the show, which started as comedy/variety but would switch to an almost purely concert format — for good reason: Judy was a singer, not a comedienne. Watching her try to riff with co-star Jerry Van Dyke is nothing shy of painful.

However, when put before a live audience, the diva quickly comes alive with a long-earned command of the stage. At 41 years of age, Garland looks at least a decade older, though thankfully her voice shows no signs of wear. Of the two episodes given to review, a stand-out performance includes one with Liza Minelli, who steps up to the plate in several numbers with her legendary mother.

For her part, Judy manages to recreate many moments made famous in her career, with an obvious nod to Wizard of Oz in the Christmas special with her three children, as she sings her trademark “Over the Rainbow.”

Released by Infinity who, in their infinite wisdom, somehow has chosen to release the entire 26-episode library in two-episode installments for the price of $19.98. It’s unfathomable why they didn’t simply release all the episodes together, as well as include a documentary about the tumultuous season, including a poignant episode filmed the day of the assassination of JFK. Initially, Garland wanted to cancel the performance, but given her precarious financial situation, she needed the money. If she didn’t perform, she wouldn’t be paid. Even though the episode didn’t air until weeks after, Garland performed a moving rendition of “Old Man River” in honor of the slain president.

Although digitally remastered, watching The Judy Garland Show in its original black & white broadcast, it’s curious why the producers didn’t digitally colorize the episodes, given how far the process has come in the past two decades.

Regardless, watching Garland perform her signature songs is, at times, positively mesmerizing, especially when you consider her life would be cut short in less than a half a decade after these shows aired.

For the prudent DVD enthusiast, I would recommend picking up some of the later shows, particularly the Christmas episode, as well as the Concert Series which ended the show’s run, despite an attempt by fans to get the network to reconsider its cancelation.