Judy Garland - A Couple of Swells - The Judy Garland Show

January 24, 1964: Rehearsals and taping of "The Judy Garland Show," "Episode Twenty" titled "Judy Garland in Concert" at CBS Television City, Studio 43, Hollywood. At 2 p.m. there was a rehearsal, followed by a dress rehearsal (which was taped) from 6 - 7 p.m. then the final taping from 9:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. The show aired on February 9, 1964.
Judy's concert consisted of an "Overture" followed by her songs: "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot"/"He's Got The Whole World In His Hands"; "World Ware One Medley"; "That's Entertainment"; "Make Someone Happy"; "Liza"; "Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe"; "Lorna's Song"; "Rock-A-bye Your Baby"; "A Couple Of Swells"; and "America The Beautiful."
Just a few days prior to the taping, CBS allowed Judy to announced the cancellation of the series, stating that she needed to "give my children the time and attention they needed." The real story, which was common knowledge, was that CBS was never really behind the show, tinkering with the format and putting it against "Bonanza." Critics, fans, and other stars came to Judy's defense, with Lucille Ball stating "I was furious when Judy Garland was given lines like 'I'm a little old lady,' and someone talking about 'the next Judy Garland.' I bet she's glad her series if over. She's the best."
This concert format, while too late, was embraced by the critics and public alike. "The New York Times" stated: "After five months of trial and error in which the show has been subjected to various and ill-fated formulas, CBS is going to let Miss Garland do what she does best - sing..."

[@Tonyvideoguy]

“I think he’s busy choreographing ’Bonanza’.” Bonanza was this show’s chief competition and was aired on NBC in the same time slot as her show. It was the most popular show at the time, and was one of the reasons her show only lasted one season. Like how she was poking fun at this fact.

[@michelleregis6181]

wasnt that great?

[@girliboi]

it does kind of beg the question why he wasn't able to appear.. . i mean she's fine on her own, but i'm sure she would have been happy to have him with her if it had been possible.. . of course he would have been getting older at this time, but the original number wasn't overly choreographed and he was doing several of his own specials during the late 50s/early 60s, so almost makes me wonder if he may have been bound by some network exclusivity clause in the contract for his own show..

[@trevorlindsey580]

This is so true. My father always said Bonanza sadly drew America's attention away from the magic of this show. My father was the conductor and arranger for this show.

[@mike48877]

I've admired your father's work ever since I heard the opening notes of the Carnegie Hall overture!

[@brmnyc]

I just watched "Easter Parade" last night. Judy and Fred Astaire were quite a team!

[@tombstoneharrystudios584]

She was so cute and talented...she shines in that movie! Just saw it last night!

[@julesgamingnstuff]

It's so underrated, I keep coming back to it. "Steppin' out with my baby" is insane, my brain can barely process it.

[@JudgeJulieLit]

This number alone merited an Emmy ... Judy could supernova in any role.

[@user-fm5nf6um7u]

💯 I never understood why she never received an Emmy. She had many outstanding TV performances.

[@sautechefjen]

I love the fact that she didnt mind worrying about her appearance and love to have fun! Great performance!

[@abriellehorvath3195]

sautechefjen yeah you can see her bra!

[@coreybrix1215]

I saw an interview somewhere that said for the movie they had brought her a tailored, fitted suit and she told them to go back and get the biggest jacket they could find. She wanted to be silly/funny. She didn’t care about looking good. Love that!

[@esmeraldarocha9085]

She is such a great natural performer. I love that she was such an honest performer, loved to ham it up, work with whatever stage arrangements are around and just give it a rollicking. I actually liked this version better than Easter Parade!

[@christinerandenberg4076]

Love how she not only sings a song but adds all the extras to really give an top notch entertaining experience no other performer gave in the past or is giving at present. Can you tell she's my favorite showman? This performance is the frosting on the cake, cherry on the sundae, the funniest performance. Think how this beautiful doll dressed down for the song. FUNNY LADY. We're blessed. What a spectacular loss. Fortunately, I've been able to enjoy her for 73 years.

[@coreybrix1215]

This song will never not make me happy!

[@cindybrodie9769]

What a genius, really. ❤️

[@irishnurse100]

Anyone notice the slight "Minnesota-isms? At around5:00,she drops something and says"Opes" which is Minnesotan for "Oops"When the man knocks on her dressing room,she says"Just a second now"

[@liberte5847]

Genius ever She used to be, an extraordinary female ! Bravo from Paris France. Merci beaucoup !

[@sharondurham2840]

The Judy Garland show was a wonderful good thing during the rotten year of 1963.

[@noras.5355]

Judy Garland....the one and only! What a trouper!!! What an entertainer! I miss her!!

[@akrenwinkle]

You're the only one who spells "trouper" correctly. It's almost always "trooper," like state trooper.

[@sharondurham2840]

Judy really needs no partner for this number, she is fantastic doing it solo!

[@patriciaoreilly8907]

Love this song 😊 as a child i loved Judy & still do what a beautiful natural human being with pure natural talent & a voice to blow u away every time u listen & whatever song Judy sang 😊 RIP Judy

[@ShogunHull]

I adore her. ALWAYS HAVE & ALWAYS WILL.

[@johndavison2374]

Wow -- 1st time I've ever seen this! A funny and truly brilliant performance!

[@gapont2]

adorable and sweet Judy

[@bradfordrusso7480]

People ask me to explain Why I claim this is THE Greatest entertainment value ever televised. Well, consider the other "greats". Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra just stand there and sing. At least, Al Jolson danced around, and gestured heavily -- with BOTH his hands AND his eyes. But, Judy Garland dons a costume and make-up. She becomes the character she is portraying. She fully acts out the part, and the story line of the song. Plus there are other sight and sound gags, inserted ... gun shots and horn-honking. Notice how the audience applauds multiple times ... beginning, middle, end. Notice how the audience Never Actually Stops applauding ! Judy does 3 curtain calls ... the audience keeps calling her back for more. There is only one other known televised performance like this. When James Cagney receives the AFI Life-time Achievement Award. You Never actually see the audience stop applauding. The camera just cuts away. At the end, Mort Lindsay plays Judy's Theme song, "Over The Rainbow". There is a deep, palpable, sustained outpouring of Love from the audience. WHY? Because she loved them and they loved her. Because her theme song is NOT about her. It Never was. It's about YOU. An affirmation of YOUR own personal and private dreams and aspirations.

[@johndoe6263]

Exactly this. Also checkout the little business she does at 7.03 with her back to the audience. What other performer would even have thought to do that? Was it spontaneous or was it a perfected bit she used in her concerts? I don't know as I wasn't there at the time but it's perfect and adds something special. Judy was unique - as the years pass that becomes clearer and clearer.

[@ShogunHull]

*GOD* , I LOVE HER! DADGUMMIT.

[@bethknapp2736]

The more of these videos I see of Judy the more I just love her.❤😊

[@michelleregis6181]

me too ,these video have enlightened me more about Judy a side i never knew about this wonderfull lady, but in many ways it saddens me more in regards to her troubled life

[@richardgaylor6723]

She was the greatest entertainer of the 20th century. She left us too soon. Judy has always lived in my heart since I was a little boy.

[@tallymo2]

The level of awe in which I previously held Judy just went up a dozen notches.

[@brapp5973]

Pure magic!

[@siliconesal]

Thanks to a super teacher Mrs Brown for starting a Glee Club in 1969 at my junior school 👌

[@akrenwinkle]

Judy did an equally terrific version of this on the Hollywood Palace later. As much as she relied on the same old numbers, it must have bothered her that she wasn't learning much new material, expanding her repertoire, enjoying new challenges. She would have been the "Mame" of all time, for example, blowing everyone else away, but she was turned down.

[@TheJudyRoomVideos]

The Hollywood Palace version is also on this channel: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nJSQe2yIj96Yq6M Judy very much wanted to play "Mame." Jerry Herman (the composer) also wanted her. However, she was too high of a risk at that time and so no one would insure her or the production if she were in it. Sadly, at that point, she wouldn't have been able to keep up with shows six nights a week and matinee on Saturday. She was able to sustain concerts for a week or so, but those were (again, at that point) in her comfort zone. She had never done a Broadway musical before. As amazing as she would have been, and you're right, she would have been a Mame for the ages, she just simply wasn't up to the demands of the show. I have always wished she had done a studio album of the score. "Judy sings Mame." That would have been amazing.

[@akrenwinkle]

@@TheJudyRoomVideos Agree on all points and I'll add that "Mame" isn't the only show Judy would have been a smash in. As much as I think Roz Russell did a great job- for a non-singer- in the film version of "Gypsy," just imagine- you probably already have- Judy as Rose. Could there have been a better match between star and vehicle?

[@michelinelalonde2217]

OH. MY GOD! I LOVED THIS!! 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼🤙🏼

[@kedmonds2123]

Wow she did amazing in this video!! So cute!!

[@mariagalante821]

I Love ... Judy Garland... lovely...

[@sunnydayzie1202]

I like this better than the movie version. She's truly marvelous.

[@jl3322]

She really is

[@sharonrush731]

Love Judy

[@vaslav030547]

This is a REAL STAR! Not somebody that is in soaps.

[@maryannmccarthy1824]

So absolutely brilliant 💝💝💝

[@n.v.1258]

What a wonderful time to be alive then, not so much now.

[@Lady.B.ellinor4971]

If you make one entertainer carry on entertaining forever it would be her.

[@literati2015]

She was great. That number in Easter Parade is classic.

[@ninaschimel2763]

Que talento!! Maravilhosa !!

[@jo8726t]

One of my favorite songs she did. Judy was one of greatest performers there's been!

[@barbnorton]

I just keep smiling watching this! Thank you so much!!!!!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💜💕

[@Belrivers]

Awesome.

[@jl3322]

So much talent-my goodness!

[@tinamincheski2195]

What a heart !!!!

[@michelleregis6181]

Super👏👏👏👏👏👏❤❤❤❤❤❤👏👏👏👌👌

[@emmabillmaier9142]

Can someone make a karaoke version of this plzz

[@vaslav030547]

You reckon you can top this then?

[@eslermanu47]

Class act loved her sad end to her life.

[@richardbooth4573]

Should do the bit with Red 😄😄😄

[@michaelballlenger7614]

Why did she not get a standing ovation??

[@CookingJJ]

I have been looking for some time for her and Mickey Rooney singing Frienship in the tramp costumes. I saw it a long time ago but haven't been able to find it. Anyone know where to access this? "If you're ever in a jam here I am..."

[@TheJudyRoomVideos]

You must be thinking of something and someone else. Judy and Mickey never performed "Friendship" together in tramp costumes. In fact, Judy rarely sang the song. She recorded a single of the song for Decca Records on April 15, 1940, a duet with Johnny Mercer. She sang a bit of it with Ethel Merman on her series. But that's the only known film of her performing the song.

[@CookingJJ]

@@TheJudyRoomVideos I definitely know I saw the video clip of her and Mickey Rooney performing/singing this particular song. One person posted it on KZbin many many years ago and I think it got removed because I was sure that I saved that video in a playlist or bookmark, but it was gone when I went to show a friend. I believe that the title and/or description mentioned that it was a rare clip as well. I can only wonder. I also heard her version with Johnny Mercer who definitely has a different voice from Mickey Rooney. Thanks for responding.🙂

[@TheJudyRoomVideos]

I've never heard of it before. I don't know what it could have been from. The only time they appeared together on screen after their previous time in 1948's "Words and Music" was his guest appearance on the first episode of her TV series in 1963. They sang a couple of medleys of various songs, but "Friendship" wasn't one of the songs and they weren't in tramp costumes. The two never did a tramp number together in any of their films nor in this episode of her series (and those films and this episode are the only instances in which they appeared together on film or TV). What you think you saw is most likely something else that you're mis-remembering as that song and that they were in tramp costumes. Maybe a clip from one of their films?

[@CookingJJ]

@@TheJudyRoomVideos Hmm. Interesting. I am quite certain I saw what I described. I can't believe that I misremembered it. Seems like a Mandela Effect situation. Lol Oh well. Thanks for sharing your info.

[@garydeblasio8810]

Why did this only last one season?

[@cognitogrrl]

Gary, go back and read the text posted below the video. It explains how CBS never truly supported her show, putting her up against the very popular "Bonanza" and messing around with the format. The caption states that in the finale, CBS finally let Judy do what she did best, sing.

[@SaxonC]

Her smile when she joked about Bonanza, was so sweet! She had an amazing sense of humor even though the show was about to be cancelled. ❤a true pro and The Legend! ❤