The Judy Garland Show

This coming together of three legends of the swing era was a special episode of Judy Garland's TV show, and what an interesting showcase it is.

Judy is not at her best throughout, coming across as nervy in her staged segments with Dean and Frank, but in two sections she is sensational – singing 'The Man That Got Away', and in the concert bit at the end, with 'Swanee' and many other favourites. Seeing this tiny lady belting out a variety of songs is a joy.

Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra are as sleek and classy as ever in their bits, especially when Frank sings 'One For My Baby'. This really is as good as it gets, and despite the strained in-jokes here and there, the overall effect puts it firmly in the 'damn good' bracket.

I read that Mike Wallace of "60 Minutes" called this the "best damn video I've ever seen." I can understand why. Three great singers of songs, Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, dismissing with as much dialogue as possible and giving out with as much singing as possible. You can't go wrong with this one.

Just saw this on PBS, and I was blown away. I'm used to seeing Judy on her CBS show, which premiered the next year - with her voice sometimes showing the strain of years of abuse. But in this color special, she is in outstanding voice. The big notes are strong and clear, and she belts them like there was no tomorrow. If you want to see what Judy was like at the peak of her concert career, this is the tape to own.

Judy sings: Just in Time, When You're Smiling, Let There Be Love, You're Nobody Till Somebody Loves You, The Man That Got Away, among others, and then closes with a classic medley of: You Made Me Love You, The Trolley Song, Rock-a-Bye Your Baby, Swanee, and San Francisco.

Oh yeah, there are two guys named Frank and Dean who also sing some numbers with her...

Could they be any better? This special will make you laugh, cry, and then some. Who ever voted it lower than a ten can go to you know where, Judy especially is exquisite shes seems so youthful and alive. There's even somewhat of a plot, the boys try top win Judy's heart, although she is married hummmm...? but its just a true piece of American Ttreasures caught on tape. No one could do it better, their natural charms just flood the screen with joy. These three are so exciting, energetic, and amazing that you wont want to blink, i didn't the first time i saw it on pbs, then i had to buy it, i guarantee it will cloak your heart with joy, any Judy fans will remember that from the 1950 re release of Babes in arms, another garland classic. sorry i had to babble to be able to have 10 lines to ensure that they would publish this. -FDR CLONEs

This 1962 special was taped a year after Judy's infamous Carnegie Hall appearance and there are references throughout this wonderful show to that legendary April 1961 event.

Thankfully, CBS (who always stupidly thought Judy needed costars) paired her with Frank and Dean and not some of the nitwits they added to her TV series the next year. This is what "The Judy Garland Show" should've been ... the great Judy singing with other greats.

She sounds a little raw in a few spots, but the voice, in all it's glory, is out there front and center. The opening sequence is her Carnegie Hall overture followed by "Just In Time" and "When You're Smiling" both of which are sung to the RAFTERS. Lovely.

"You're Nobody Till Somebody Loves You" with all three legends is absolutely thrilling. The closing sequence is not to be missed. Here she is...the Great One....doing a small piece of her Carnegie Hall act (dressed in similar costume no less!), from "Rockabye Your Baby" to her tour-de-force rendition of "Swanee" ... Where does she get all that POWER. Wow.

I have ALL the Judy stuff and this concert special is one of my very favorites.