The Judy Garland Show, Vol. 08 - Final Chapter
The magnificent Judy Garland closes out her magnificenttelevision serieswith the last DVD volume,Final Chapter. Episode 11 is of the usual variety format, mixing guests Steve Allen, Jayne Meadows, and Mel Torme with dances and comedy. Episode 20 takes the concert format, highlights of which are the program of Americana Garland conceived of shortly after JFK's death and her songs to all her children (one for Lorna Luft had to be specially created).Episode 26 was the last of the series, and what makes it particularly notable is not just the show as it was broadcast, but the extra disc of outtakes. Due to various problems, Garland was unable to record enough material for a complete show so segments from previous episodes were used to fill the gaps. The outtakes allow us to see what Garland had in mind for that finale, including a dance of her own devising to "Where Is the Clown." It's fascinating to watch the artist at work as she runs through multiple takes. But because the number was never finished and never aired, also not aired was the emotional "Here's to Us" finale because Garland was still in clown makeup as she bid farewell to her audience, her family, and her fellow performers. It's the finale Garlandshouldhave had, and its inclusion here is just one reason whyThe Judy Garland Show, as impressive as it was in 1963-64 when it presented the 20th century's greatest entertainer in a forum that best displayed her talent, is even better as it's preserved on DVD.--David Horiuchi