The Judy Garland Show, Vol. 5

Want proof positive of DVD's strengths? Cue up the digitally dusted-off The Judy Garland Show, Vol. 5, featuring shows #7 and #9 from Garland's short-lived 1963-1964 CBS television series, and you will see and hear Garland, Barbra Streisand and Ethel Merman (a trio of belters) perform "There's No Business Like Show Business" as it's never been seen or heard before (meaning: better than the original, since consumer electronics technology circa 1963 simply couldn't reproduce visual or aural material this crisply). While Jerry Van Dyke, as a series regular, is a not-so-comic relief liability on both episodes, the shows themselves each have their own highlights. Episode #7 features legendary song and dance man Donald O'Connor (who pairs with Garland on a wonderful tribute to vaudeville) and a superb solo turn from Judy singing "Fly Me to the Moon," while episode #9 pairs the "dual divas" Garland and Streisand on "Get Happy/Happy Days Are Here Again" and "Hooray for Love," and includes a skit with the inimitable Smothers Brothers. Although Garland was well beyond the high point in her career, both commercially and critically (though she would wow audiences with a comeback concert in 1969 at Carnegie Hall, three months before her death), what comes through--even in glorious black and white with monaural sound--is her colossal star presence. A treat and a treasure, this is highly recommended. Aud: P. (R. Pitman)