Judy Garland's "Easter Parade"

[AndyHardy]

Posted: 2/27/05 at 12:17am

"Never saw you look quite so pretty before..."

Okay, I am in heaven right now. I just watched an advance copy of the new 2-disc dvd of the M-G-M musical "Easter Parade" starring Judy Garland and Fred Astaire (due to hit the stores March 15).

First, the film looks beautiful. The clarity, detail and color correction are suberb as they were working off of the original nitrate negative for this dvd. The excellent audio track is supplied by Ava Astaire (Fred's daughter) and my dear friend John Fricke (film historian).

There is a 35 minute documaentary that is both informative and humorous (and well edited). Plus they have included the 2004 Emmy award winning PBS American Masters special "Judy Garland; By Myself" (the one where Isabel Keating supplies Garland's narration) and the 1951 radio performance with Fred and Judy.

But the real treat is the inclusion of a 'new-edit' of Garland's cut number "Mr. Monotony" plus about twenty minutes of alternate takes!! The number was filmed but never initially edited together back in 1948. Garland did 64 takes over the course of two days. Hence, all that remains (thankfully) are the rushes. Some of you may remember that an edit of "Monotony" was seen in "That's Entertainment! Part III" but I have always felt that version was rather shoddy. But the powers that be have gone back to the editing room and, since they found other takes, felt they should attempt to do a better "restoration/ reconstruction" of the number.

But the rushes are the real gems. How astounding to watch Garland do take after take - slightly changing her style, arm gestures, eye movements, et. al. It captures her in her "creative process." If you ever wanted to be on the set with Judy to watch her work -- well here is your chance. I cannot think of any other Hollywood musical star where this kind of "raw" footage still exists. She is just astounding (and, as usual, very funny at times).

These rushes also show how much work went into filming musicals at M-G-M. It should be mentioned that while filming "Easter Parade" Garland was also simultaneously doing an extensive re-shoot on "The Pirate." Talk about a work load.

I'll stop rambling. Just know that for those who treasure Judy Garland you are in for a rare treat. This dvd set is first-class! After watching the film and all the special features I thought "Nobody will ever be that good! Judy Garland is just in a league of her own."

"Oh I could write a sonnet..."

[Matt_G]

Posted: 2/27/05 at 12:36am

Andy, that's hilarious. My best friend and I walked around the city tonight trying to find this DVD and couldn't. Now we know why.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 2/27/05 at 12:43am

I've danced with dozens of others
The whole night through,
But the thrill that comes with spring
When anything
Could happen,
That only happens
With you.

Thanks, Andy! Sounds like another DVD set that surpasses my prized laserdisc set.

My favorite moment in the whole movie: Judy's "fish face" walking down Fifth Avenue. And I would gladly pay that all over again for a better version of "Mr. Monotony."

Playing on his slide trombone
In a certain monotone
He was known as "Mister Monotony."
Any pleasant interlude
That would mean a change of mood
Didn't go with Mister Monotony.

Sometimes he would change the key,
But the same dull melody
Would emerge from Mister Monotony.
Folks for miles would run away.
Only one prefer'd to stay.
She would come around and say,
"Have you got any monotony today?
Have you got any monotony today?"

Updated On: 2/27/05 at 12:43 AM

Posted: 2/27/05 at 12:46am

Why, why, WHY didn't A Star is Born get this kind of treatment?

[wildcat]

Posted: 2/27/05 at 12:50am

Thank you, Andy, I CANNOT WAIT!!!!

[AndyHardy]

Posted: 2/27/05 at 12:56am

D, It is discouraging that no complete print of Star has been located. At least on the last "reconstructed" dvd they included all the alternate takes of The Man That Got Away - and they cleaned up the film print as well. Many people watching the new Star dvd don't even realize how much of that footage was actually cut (Lose That Long Face, the marriage proposal scene/ Here's What I'm Here For).

I have faith that a full version of A Star Is Born will turn up somewhere. But, yes, it's discouraging. Just try watching the old "un-reconstructed" version and it makes me happy that at least some of the lost footage has been found. :)

Updated On: 2/27/05 at 12:56 AM

[CatieElphie1]

Posted: 2/27/05 at 12:58am

Ha!
I watched this movie when it came on AMC one time when I was home sick from school.
I haven't even thought of it in years! I want that DVD now!

Posted: 2/27/05 at 1:02am

Andy - we have that new DVD, and I agree - it just seems to me that if they can put so much effort into some of these other projects, Star deserves more than it's gotten.

[wildcat]

Posted: 2/27/05 at 1:03am

Oh come on, kids, a whole book was written about how long it took to reconstruct "Star". Let's be grateful for what we've got! I'd love to see some of those early filmed stage musicals rediscovered, like Marilyn Miller's Broadway hits. It's fascinating to see performers like Ethel Shutta (FOLLIES) at her sassy best in WHOOPIE!

Posted: 2/27/05 at 1:18am

Oh, Wildcat, let me stomp my feet and throw a little hissy queen fit

[wildcat]

Posted: 2/27/05 at 1:22am

Now Douglas, I've made you a nice cup of tea with a shortbread cookie. Put your feet up and we'll watch "Born in a Trunk" one more time...

Posted: 2/27/05 at 1:28am

Thank you, Darling.

[shira467]

Posted: 2/27/05 at 2:27am

Should I see this movie? I'll add it to the list...

Posted: 2/27/05 at 2:36am

Yes

[shira467]

Posted: 2/27/05 at 2:38am

Added to the list!

[PalJoey]

Posted: 2/27/05 at 8:19am

Wildcat--those early filmed stage muscials were the reason I got the laserdisc player in the first place. In 1993, MGM Home Video released three boxed sets of laserdiscs called "The Dawn of Sound" I, II and III.

The first set has complete versions of the 1929 "Show of Shows" (with Bea Lillie, Irene Bordoni and tapping transvestites), the original "Broadway Melody" (with Charles King and Bessie Love) and the "Hollywood Revue of 1929 (with Marie Dressler singing "I'm the Queen").

The second set has the real treasures: full versions of "Sally" with Marilyn Miller and "Hallelujah!" and excerpts from "Good News," "On With the Show" (Ethel Waters singing "Am I Blue?"), "Chasing Rainbows" (Marie Dressler singing "She Was Poor But She Was Honest") and some short subjects.

The third set has original versions of "Madame X" (with Ruth Chatterton) and Lonsdale's "The Last of Mrs. Cheyney" and fragments of Charlotte Greenwood in "So Long Letty" and Rodgers and Hart's "Spring Is Here."

It also includes a very trippy adaptation of Hammerstein and Harbach's operetta "Golden Dawn" with several now-racist numbers like Noah Beery in blackface singing "The Whip Song" (just for you, DGrant!) and Vivienne Segal and a "native" chorus singing "My Bwana." Oy.

I suppose that once those and my boxed set of Lubitsch laserdiscs come out on DVD, it will be time to toss the laserdisc players out with the 8-track tape player.

And yes, Shira, I think you'll like Easter Parade. A lot.

Updated On: 2/27/05 at 08:19 AM

[Glebb]

Posted: 2/27/05 at 8:36am

AndyHardy - what a wonderful thread to wake up to on this beautiful Sunday morning! Reading your words is as entertaining and transporting as I suspect viewing the new DVD will be.
I have always loved EASTER PARADE. Not only is it one of the films in which Judy is at her most beautiful, it is also full of great Garland comedy as well as some of her most entertaining song and dance. Judy's acting was so honest it just seemed real. Thank God the camera was there to preserve it.
Garland and Astaire had a great rapport.
Can't wait to buy this one!

[wildcat]

Posted: 2/27/05 at 8:44am

And ever since I saw it, I've had to wear a garter to tell my left leg from my right...

Pal Joey, I still haven't picked myself up off the floor. Thank heavens those clips still exist. MUST...HAVE....NOW.....

[MasterLcZ]

Posted: 2/27/05 at 9:11am

The fact that ANY extra footage exists of ANY Hollywood musical is an absolute miracle. Studios were notorious for junking cut numbers especially as it was formerly made of flammable nitrate stock and it was a 'fire risk' to keep it around.

In the 1950s, the Technicolor corporation junked dozens of negatives for early musicals including THE GOLD DIGGERS OF BROADWAY, PARIS, GOLDEN DAWN and SALLY in an effort to clear space. But such wanton destruction happened as recently as THE EARLY 1970s when MGM dumped hundreds of filing cabinets filled with photos, contracts, records, cut film clips and wardrobe tests into a pit that was later paved over for a freeway.

They should have put an ad in the local gay press: "Dear Queens: We are planning to get rid of a bunch of fab stuff. Just come and TAKE what you want". Guess they didn't want a riot !

While I thank Gawd the EASTER PARADE footage exists, its survival is accidental - lost are all the cut numbers from ZIEGFELD FOLLIES of 1946 and Garlands breathtaking "Your Broadway and My Broadway" from BROADWAY MELODY of 1936, the "Jitterbug" from THE WIZARD OF OZ, and the "Russian Dolly Sisters" number she performed with Fanny Brice that was cut from EVERYBODY SING!. For some reason, Warners was especially "good" about cleaning out old "unwanted" footage (though the cut number from PAJAMA GAME, "The Man Who Invented Love", is on the DVD)so Brices MY MAN and Sophie Tuckers HONKY TONK are totally lost (excepting the sountracks).

The "Wild Rose" number from SALLY was found a few years ago in Techicolor, and a bit more Technicolor footage of Miller from another film was found and is presumably being restored now. Two breathtaking Technicolor numbers from THE GOLD DIGGERS OF BROADWAY (found a few years ago and the only fottage that exists) will be included in the planned (but not scheduled) DVD of GOLDDIGGERS of 1933.

An essential book is A SONG IN THE DARK - The Birth of the Musical Film, by Richard Barrios. Filled with information you won't find anywhere else on this fascinating and neglected period. And the Vitaphone project (see link) is an essential spot for the latest info on many lost (and rediscovered) musical films and shorts!
Vitaphone

Updated On: 2/27/05 at 09:11 AM

[wildcat]

Posted: 2/27/05 at 9:14am

Oh! Oh! This information is all so wonderful!
I've never HEARD of that number from THE PAJAMA GAME! Where does it come in the story and who does it?

[Glebb]

Posted: 2/27/05 at 10:00am

I have to give a shout out to Ann Miller who holds her own with the two MGM Giants - Garland and Astaire - in what I believe was her first film for MGM.

[CurtainUp2]

Posted: 2/27/05 at 10:07am

As someone who owns the entire Judy Garland Show collection (both sets) on DVD, I, for one, can't wait for this release! They'll never be another Judy!

[AndyHardy]

Posted: 2/27/05 at 10:19am

Ann Miller is a good old dame!

Glebb, yes, Annie is very good in Easter Parade and it was her first. I am always amazed how young she was when she was at RKO before coming over to Metro. Talented and funny lady. She reveals some great stories in the new Easter Parade documentary. Ann replaced an injured Cyd Charisse in Easter Parade (as Astaire replaced an injured Gene Kelly). Sometimes the Gods know what is best. I'm glad these particular stars at least starred in ONE film together -- and such a good one at that! :)

[KMF_NYC]

Posted: 2/27/05 at 10:28am

I can't wait for this release == thanks Mr. Hardy for letting us know all about it...but I may come to you house and snatch it away firdt!

[PalJoey]

Posted: 2/27/05 at 10:35am

MasterLzZ, maybe a certain handsome young film preservationist will charm the old queens who are hoarding those lost clips into making them available and then get a grant to reconstruct ALL those old sequences!