Barbra on The Judy Garland Show

#1

Barbra on The Judy Garland Show

Posted: 6/22/05 at 4:35pm

Reluctant to purchase the entire series for $100+, I found the volume with Barbra Streisand on eBay for $20. I just finished watching it, and all I can say is wow. Watching Judy and a pre-Funny Girl Barbra perform together is nothing short of magical. Ethel Merman even made herself into a surprise guest and sang "There's No Business Like Show Business" with the ladies. Merman asked Barbra what her next project was and she talked about Funny Girl, Jule Styne, and David Merrick. I love me some 1960's Streisand.

I'm sure I'm not the only one who has seen this, right? What are your thoughts on this episode? Or any episode from Judy's variety show on CBS?

#2

re: Barbra on The Judy Garland Show

Posted: 6/22/05 at 4:37pm

This was an amazing hour. Even more amazing, Streisand was nominated for an Emmy for her astounding performance, putting her in direct competition with Garland for the prize. Neither won.

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The truly beautiful should be lawfully restricted from wearing clothing; and the truly butt-ugly should be lawfully mandated from going naked.

#3

re: Barbra on The Judy Garland Show

Posted: 6/22/05 at 4:42pm

Maybe it's just me, but I felt Streisand had an air of superiority already...as if she felt she was "better" than Garland. Is it just me?

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Have I ever shown you my Shattered Dreams box? It's in my Disappointment Closet. - Marge Simpson

#4

re: Barbra on The Judy Garland Show

Posted: 6/22/05 at 4:43pm

That segment with Ethel was planned. Mel Torme wrote an hysterical book about working with Garland on that show. I can't remember the whole title, but part of it is On the Dawn Patrol with Judy Garland. But there's something in the title before that.

#5

re: Barbra on The Judy Garland Show

Posted: 6/22/05 at 4:45pm

It's just you.

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The truly beautiful should be lawfully restricted from wearing clothing; and the truly butt-ugly should be lawfully mandated from going naked.

#6

re: Barbra on The Judy Garland Show

Posted: 6/22/05 at 4:45pm

Magic, magic, magic.

The rest of the series doesn't necessarily come up to that level, but (as I've said on another thread) many of Garland's solos throughout are breathtaking and the duets with Merman, Lena Horne, Martha Raye, Peggy Lee, Vic Damone, Bobby Darin and Tony Bennett (and Liza) are fun even if they are not as much fun as the Streisand.

Also check out the Judy, Frank and Dean concert.

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#7

re: Barbra on The Judy Garland Show

Posted: 6/22/05 at 4:46pm

The Garland show was pretty amazing week after week. She would do skits, duet with guest stars and when all else failed, turn the show into a mini-concert.

There was a wonderful book about how the show came to be and the problems CBS had with Judy and vice-versa. Then there's that wonderful scene in "Me & My Shadows" where Judy calls Jack Kennedy to ask him what he thought of CBS research about her show. They tried to stop her from doing a tribute to JFK after his assassination, but luckily Judy prevailed-- her Battle Hymn of the Republic is amazing.

CBS finally decided that the problem with Judy on TV was that she was so much larger than life that people couldn't appreciate her on their little 12" TV screens. All I know is, the show looks wonderful today!

#8

re: Barbra on The Judy Garland Show

Posted: 6/22/05 at 4:47pm

The problem was that she was on opposite Bonanza. Had they moved the show, it might've run for years, impacting Judy's life expectancy considerably. The fates just were always working against her.

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The truly beautiful should be lawfully restricted from wearing clothing; and the truly butt-ugly should be lawfully mandated from going naked.

#9

re: Barbra on The Judy Garland Show

Posted: 6/22/05 at 4:53pm

Absolutely Rath! Look at Bab's body language! Especially when Judy & Ethel call her "the new Belter." Barbra looks horrified. And while Judy & Ethel both go full out, you can see Streisand looking around as she sings as if she hopes no one sees her with these two tired old broads.

I always thought she looked as if she thought the whole scene beneath her.

#10

re: Barbra on The Judy Garland Show

Posted: 6/22/05 at 4:55pm

According to Mel Torme who was in charge of special material for the series, the idea of juxtopposing the songs Get Happy and Happy Days was Judy's. She was listening to Barbra's recording and realized that at the slower tempos, both songs fit. She called Mel up (in the middle of the night, no doubt) and while playing Barbra's record, sang get happy over the phone for him.

Barbra told the story years later that Judy's hand was shaking with fear when she took Barbra's in rehearsal. Barbra said at the time she couldn't understand how the greatest pop singer in the world could have stage fright, but that she understood it later.

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"If my life weren't funny, it would just be true. And that would be unacceptable." --Carrie Fisher

#11

re: Barbra on The Judy Garland Show

Posted: 6/22/05 at 4:57pm

I have both Judy boxed sets, and they're worth their weight in gold.

The Barbra episode is easily the best, with their segment together ranking as probably THE most thrilling duet I've ever seen. You can use phrases like "magic" and "we'll never see the likes of that again," but they don't do it justice.

My other favorites are the Peter Lawford/Martha Raye episode (hilarious) and the Kismet medley with Vic Damone. LOVE Vic Damone!

#12

re: Barbra on The Judy Garland Show

Posted: 6/22/05 at 4:58pm

Watching and listening to Barbra Streisand gives my forehead wrinkles, so I've stopped.

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ConvinceMe2 is dead. Long live BrendanStryker!

#13

re: Barbra on The Judy Garland Show

Posted: 6/22/05 at 4:59pm

Actually Joe, I find her to be shy and in awe of both Merman and Garland in that scene. I don't think she comes anywhere near a superior attitude.

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The truly beautiful should be lawfully restricted from wearing clothing; and the truly butt-ugly should be lawfully mandated from going naked.

#14

re: Barbra on The Judy Garland Show

Posted: 6/22/05 at 5:00pm

I'm sure many of you know already know, but today is the anniversary of Judy's death.

Anyone want to join me in a yahrzeit candle?

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#15

re: Barbra on The Judy Garland Show

Posted: 6/22/05 at 5:00pm

That bit Judy did with Bob Newhart was hysterical.

#16

re: Barbra on The Judy Garland Show

Posted: 6/22/05 at 5:01pm

I didn't even realize today was the 22nd. I'll join you, PJ.

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Have I ever shown you my Shattered Dreams box? It's in my Disappointment Closet. - Marge Simpson

#17

re: Barbra on The Judy Garland Show

Posted: 6/22/05 at 5:02pm

I agree with you, baddadnpa. I always thought Barbra came across as rather giggly and humbled -- sort of like she knew she was completely out of her league. Even though she wasn't.

#18

re: Barbra on The Judy Garland Show

Posted: 6/22/05 at 5:03pm

She is completely drowned out by Merman and Garland - which I guess isn't a hard thing to happen if you are up against either of them. I thought she came across as very gracious and slightly perplexed to be in the company of two living legends.

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The truly beautiful should be lawfully restricted from wearing clothing; and the truly butt-ugly should be lawfully mandated from going naked.

#19

re: Barbra on The Judy Garland Show

Posted: 6/22/05 at 5:07pm

God knows CM2, I wouldn't want you to wrinkle that face!

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The truly beautiful should be lawfully restricted from wearing clothing; and the truly butt-ugly should be lawfully mandated from going naked.

#20

re: Barbra on The Judy Garland Show

Posted: 6/22/05 at 5:11pm

I've always thought she was amused by Merman. She doesn't really join in on the "Show Business" until the end, then she relents and joins in, gesturing with one hand in front of her chest in mock-imitation of Merman like a demented Brunhilde.

I could watch the Happy Days/Get Happy over and over and over...

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#21

re: Barbra on The Judy Garland Show

Posted: 6/22/05 at 5:12pm

Her rendition of Bewitched is truly astounding.

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The truly beautiful should be lawfully restricted from wearing clothing; and the truly butt-ugly should be lawfully mandated from going naked.

#22

re: Barbra on The Judy Garland Show

Posted: 6/22/05 at 5:16pm

Yes, Bewitched was incredible. My reaction after having seen that for the first time was almost total shock at the audacity of that young up-and-comer to interpret a standard like that. AND do it brilliantly!

Slightly OT: I saw Patti LuPone and Audra McDonald recreate the Judy/Barbra duet at Carnegie Hall. I thought the roof was going to blow off the place.

#23

re: Barbra on The Judy Garland Show

Posted: 6/22/05 at 5:20pm

It is a great duet. Ann Hampton Callaway and Liz Callaway do it also on their live cd. It is just a great medley.

Streisand made a number of great guest appearances prior to the Garland show. She blew the roof off of the place with Anyplace I Hang My Hat Is Home and Gotta Move on The Bob Hope Show. On Dinah Shore, she did a blistering version of Cry Me A River, Happy Days Are Here Again and Brotherhood of Man with Dinah and Georgia Brown.

I do have to say that her best performance as a guest was on the Burt Bacharach Show where she did a duet with herself on One Less Bell To Answer/A House Is Not A Home.

It is just so sad to listen to her now compared to what she sounded like then.

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The truly beautiful should be lawfully restricted from wearing clothing; and the truly butt-ugly should be lawfully mandated from going naked.

#24

re: Barbra on The Judy Garland Show

Posted: 6/22/05 at 5:23pm

I think her voice has held up incredibly well, compared to other women of her generation. It's her personality that makes me crazy.

#25

re: Barbra on The Judy Garland Show

Posted: 6/22/05 at 5:25pm

Don't get me wrong, she sounds good - but she has nowhere near the range or power anymore. We all get old hopefully.

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The truly beautiful should be lawfully restricted from wearing clothing; and the truly butt-ugly should be lawfully mandated from going naked.