The Judy Garland Collection

Judy, Judy, Judy indeed. A Judy Garland fan's dream come true, The Judy Garland Collection features four discs: Judy, Frank & Dean: Once in a Lifetime (an Emmy-nominated 1962 program); Judy Garland, Robert Goulet & Phil Silvers Special (which helped launch the short-lived The Judy Garland Show in 1963), Judy Garland Live at the London Palladium with Liza Minnelli (Garland's first stage appearance with her daughter in an incredible 1964 comeback concert), and Judy Garland: The Concert Years (a performance-clip filled tribute, hosted by Garland's daughter Lorna Luft, author of the book on which the acclaimed bio-pic Life with Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows, starring Judy Davis, was based). You might think that the Garland, Sinatra and Martin special (with the principals in their only appearance together) would be the musical cream of the crop, but the duets and trios are somewhat perfunctorily performed here (and Garland looks distracted). The true gems are on the other three discs, beginning with the Judy Garland, Robert Goulet & Phil Silvers Special, which not only includes a wonderful skit with Silvers introducing Garland to New York City in all its multi-various glory, but also finds Garland literally throwing everything she has into "Through the Years," sung to Robert Goulet (it's a phenomenal performance that will bring tears to your eyes). Judy Garland Live at the London Palladium with Liza Minnelli is a diva's delight, with mother and daughter (both fantastic belters) teaming up on "Hello Dolly," "Together," "Happy Days Are Here Again/Get Happy," and "Chicago." Finally, the 1985 documentary Judy Garland: The Concert Years features home movie footage, interviews with, among others, Alan King, Melissa Manchester, and Rex Reed, and generous full-length performances of key moments of Garland in concert, including her get-out-your-handkerchiefs, teary-eyed rendition of "Over the Rainbow" in full hobo regalia. While the quality of the discs vary, purely due to the limitations of the original source material, the overall package, presented in Dolby Digital stereo, offers a fine showcase for one of the greatest all-around entertainers/artists of the 20th century. Highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (R. Pitman)