Judy Garland singing 'OVER THE RAINBOW' live

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 7/29/08 at 9:43pm

Every time I watch it, I am moved more and more.

This has to be one of the most heartbreaking things ever recorded on film. It's like a shot straight to the heart.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-URiHjd7-A

[PalJoey]

Posted: 7/30/08 at 11:22pm

Glad you found it, WiCkEDrOcKS.

It was the finale to the September 24, 1955, Ford Star Jubilee--a 90-minute CBS special that was CBS's bid to compete with the big-time specials NBC was known for. Judy was paid $100,000 for the appearance--big money in 1955.

CBS even broadcast it in color--even though almost no one had a color television in 1955!

Judy was slightly overweight and petrified of failing at a 90-minute almost-solo show television event. The show followed much of the format of her triumphant 1951 Palace act, which had been a tremendous comeback for her.

They rehearsed for an unheard-of 4 weeks, but the day before, she came down with a paralyzing case of laryngitis. That night she had terrible anxiety and trouble sleeping and finally took sleeping medication in the early morning, as she often did, leaving her groggy for much of the final day.

She walked through her dress rehearsals silently, to protect her voice. The network officials feared a disaster.

It was anything BUT a disaster. It got a 34.8 rating, which meant that over 40 million people tuned in. CBS signed Judy to an exclusive television contract at $100,000 per year for three years and Capitol Records signed her for a 10-year contract. They released an album with songs from the special (recorded earlier) called "Miss Show Business," which hit #5 on the Billboard chart.

The "Rainbow" you linked was the finale of the show. She finished her last song, ran off stage, they peeled the dress off her, smudged her makeup, put the tramp costume on and she went back on and did "Couple of Swells" with actor David Wayne.

Then she did this "Rainbow"--and the tears you see are real tears, tears of relief no doubt, that the ordeal was over. She never sang the song again with such obvious sniffling, even at the end of her life. This is a rare "Rainbow," and the emotion is real, not an act.

Watching the whole 90-minute special nowadays is a mixed bag for me. She's not in such great shape--the sleeping pills seem not to have entirely worn off--so it isn't as fun to watch as a brief excerpt might seem. Nevertheless, any Judy is better than almost anything else, as this rendition of "Swanee" from earlier in the show demonstrates.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDHHMesF1ns

[PalJoey]

Posted: 7/30/08 at 11:30pm

Here's one of the non-solo numbers: "It's De-Lovely," with David Wayne and teenage Japanese singing sensation (what?) Mitsuko Sawamura.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPGtNPBylcQ

Not one of Judy's greatest moments, although it's cute when she sings a line in Japanese.

[Reginald Tresilian]

Posted: 7/31/08 at 10:43am

Kind of surreal. The kid has Ernest Borgnine's eyebrow's.

Love Judy's Japanese!

[PalJoey]

Posted: 7/31/08 at 11:42am

I guess what's really fascinating about these pre-Carnegie Hall performances is that she's flying on instinct. She also looks totally scared.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 7/31/08 at 2:20pm

That Rainbow performance is brilliant. Comparing the emotional connection she makes to that of the 17 year old in the film, you just KNOW she is feeling every single word down to her soul.

I liken it to the two versions of Joni Mitchell's Both Sides Now, the original of a 19 year old girl singer and the one she did a few years ago which is just so much deeper, emotionally.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 7/31/08 at 2:25pm

Joni 1970

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcrEqIpi6sg

Joni 2000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKQSlH-LLTQ&feature=related

Chilling.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 7/31/08 at 2:32pm

Here's another Rainbow I adore. November 1943: Judy singing it during World War 2 to the soldiers and sailors overseas.

She was still at Metro, divorced from David Rose, not yet married to Vincente Minnelli, aware that the song had emotional resonance for listeners, but there was no connected tragedy yet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToU6YP9zRQ4

[Reginald Tresilian]

Posted: 7/31/08 at 3:50pm

That's always been my favorite, PJ! The last note is spectacular.

[nygrl23]

Posted: 7/31/08 at 11:10pm

Man, PJ. I learn so darn much from you. Thanks for the interesting background info!

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 8/1/08 at 1:12am

Wow, interesting.

Thanks, PJ.

[Mildred Plotka]

Posted: 8/1/08 at 2:42am

I walked into the apartment the other day to my husband in tears. I thought someone died. Turns out, he just finished watching this exact clip (for the billionth time)! I made him watch Astaire and Judy performing "We're a Couple of Swells" to cheer him up.
"We're a Couple of Swells"