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| Author | Topic: The Judy Garland Show on DVD |
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jmslsu01
Registered User
Registered:
6/9/2003
From:
northern VA | posted: 1/1/2005 at 12:50:42 PM ET
I've recently discovered the joy that is Netflix. This morning I watched the DVD of The Judy Garland Show vol.5-I specifically ordered this one because it has the episode in which Barbra Streisand is a guest and it has a "surprise" appearance by Ethel Merman.
Barbra was extraordinary,and I miss that fire in her singing. It was cute to see her when she was this young-a little awkward and gangly. It was touching to see how fond and admiring Judy was of Barbra-no competition,no jealousy....just one (older) singer appreciating the talents and gifts of another (and younger) singer.
And then Ethel Merman pops up.
She starts singing in the audience,then goes up to the stage. Small talk between Ethel and Judy,then Judy introduces and gushes over Barbra.
"Ohhhh...the new beltah," Ethel responds.
Barbra must have sensed that she better lay low during this segment. Too bad.
Then Judy asks Barbra what's next for her and Barbra tells her that's she about to start Funny Girl (the Broadway production). She asks about the composer,and when Barbra says that it's Jule Styne,Ethel (who had really ignored Barbra during her chat with Judy.and who is forced to stand there and listen to Judy gush over the "new beltah") of course mentions that he composed Gypsy. "You're in good hands," she said. Then when David Merrick's name comes up,she also mentions that he produced Gypsy.
Then,after a bit more chit chat,they go into "There's No Business Like Show Business."
Well,of course Ethel is almost overpowering them all,but Judy holds her own. But you cannot hear Barbra that well.
"Sing out,Barbra!" Judy cheers her on.
Well,since Barbra is standing right next to Ethel (Ethel is in the middle,naturally),and I guess she was a little afraid and/or intimidated,because she never does belt like the others. That's unfortunate,because if Barbra had been ticked off,there could have been a good smackdown.
Then it's all over.
If you ever get a chance to see this DVD,then do. One,to see Barbra's magnificent performance solo and dueting with Judy (sublime),and then to watch the hilarity that is Ethel Merman's guest appearance. I just may have to watch it again. To watch Ethel just about dismiss Barbra (although she does give her a little kiss-kiss at the end),and then watch the three go through "There's No Business Like Show Business" is gold. And to see how sweet Judy is to Barbra. Very wonderful.
And Ethel. Oh,Ethel. There's no one quite like you,is there?
Jenn
| futuremamarose87
Registered User
Registered:
5/3/2004 | posted: 1/1/2005 at 2:33:19 PM ET
I just love Netflix... it's a marvel.
I may just have to rent that.
It's somewhat of a hassle with my family though. We're 5 people and my little brother somehow managed to get the password and change around the order of the "flix" so I get one every 2 weeks... which isn't all that bad though when I am busy, but currently I have some free time.
"It was like being high when you reach those high notes."
~Bernadette Peters
| jmslsu01
Registered User
Registered:
6/9/2003
From:
northern VA | posted: 1/2/2005 at 3:53:16 PM ET
futuremamarose-There's a *fantastic* documentary about vaudeville that I got from Netflix-June Havoc is one of the interviewees in the production (has several segments). Wonderful,wonderful clips and it goes into great detail-the two best sections are on the kiddie acts and on African-American performers. If you do a search for vaudeville,it's the 1997 documentary.
I'm a complete Netflix convert. I'll never use Blockbuster again-there's just no comparison.
(I'm sorry to hear about NYU. I remember all too well how crazy senior year can be-one day,it will all be over.)
Jenn
| Karen
Registered User
Registered:
5/3/2002 | posted: 1/2/2005 at 8:57:29 PM ET
All of the Judy Garland shows are great viewing, but none more so than the Streisand episode. When she comes out and sings "Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered" and especially "Down with Love" you fully realize why she was such a phenomenon at the time. Barbra is fresh, alive, and electrifyingly different from other performers of the era. By the seventies, she had seemingly lost that humour, humanity and spontaneity.
Ethel's competitiveness and desire to hog the spotlight during that segment are hilarious. When she suggests singing her anthem "There's No Business Like Show Business" she says something like "We all know the words to that." Yet obviously Streisand didn't. At times she seems to be mouthing words in an attempt to fake her way through. Mostly, she just seems startled and bemused at the way her segment has been hijacked. At the very end, she just sort of gestures broadly and mugs with her eyes crossed (like "this is so silly, I don't know what else to do").
It's "not to be missed" vintage TV.
| Karen
Registered User
Registered:
5/3/2002 | posted: 1/2/2005 at 9:02:40 PM ET
Can't believe I forgot to mention the Judy/Barbra medley of "Get Happy/Happy Days Are Here Again." It's one of the all-time television musical highpoints. There are a handful of performances as good, but nothing better.
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