Judy Garland - "Life Is Just a Bowl of Cherries", GE Theatre, 1956

Judy Garland performing "Life Is Just a Bowl of Cherries" on "General Electric Theatre", telecast live from Hollywood on April 8, 1956. Joe Bushkin at the piano.
Music by Ray Henderson, lyrics by Lew Brown and Buddy G. DeSylva.

[@JudyGarlandstarstruk]

LIKE the way Judy clunked her fingers on those piano keys .... Judy had a cute way of never taking herself too seriously !

[@flyboy13131]

Judy certainly didn’t sing a song in the style of the typical woman singer of this era . She was her own gal , and sang the song like she wanted to emote it to her audience . And that’s one of the reasons that Judy is still an icon where many others are dimly remembered or completely forgotten . And she’ll be remembered long after I’m gone too .

[@itsallgood3210]

Great interaction between the piano guy and Ms. Garland. I like how she belts it, ala her daughter. She is still young here, at 33, and shows a ton of energy. Not subdued/controlled so much, like on the 60's TV show songs...

[@n.purooosai4481]

At this specific day in age, “bizarre” behavior wasn’t heard or seen on live TV. Judy was amazingly ahead of her time, and care free. I’m sure many celebrities at this time had the same ridiculous moments as Judy! Judy just embraced it and embraced life. She was having fun! We love Judy

[@anamariagutierrez2019]

She gave herself to the public.

[@matthewdarnell3535]

I didn’t find it bizarre at all. It looked like she was just having fun to me! If you look at performances nowadays, that was tame as hell. Lol

[@crazycone77]

This reminds me of my late grandmother. She and I were very close. She absolutely adored cherries and her home was decorated with various collections of antique cherry plates and plaques and kitchen decor. I miss her, but this video makes me remember all the great times she and I had together.

[@juliusmaloney]

Perfect Judy, a piano & a bowl of cherries...

[@lillyannelovegreen3380]

What a powerful performance

[@classicalaid1]

A brilliant performer. I had the privelege of seeing her live in stage...twice, once at the Palace Theater in NY City in the 60's and once in Toronto. Unforgettable on both occasions.

[@talentpageant]

Delightful!

[@johnkennedy1748]

Fecking brilliant

[@nicktelecast]

No such thing. She's so raw and awesome here.

[@amally22]

that's a sweet story.

[@Naimify98]

I love this song :3

[@jimilove7773]

Thanks!

[@davidkirkman4761]

You LIIIiiiive, and LAUGH at it AAAAAAAaaaaaaallll!

[@jklein9823]

@RobertEllis2010 You are welcome. This is a fascinating show from the early days of live televison.

[@ton4347]

This amazing lady deserves at least a million views!

[@sarakat76]

Shi is very funny!

[@UDoULetMeDoMe]

Bunheads brought me here :)

[@branzfactor81]

Ha! Me too! 6 years later!

[@45thecooldude]

If you like cherries as much as her look up the automatic cherry pitter it was just on my sunday news channel NECN

[@summermen]

It's like Kay Thompson came over for the afternoon, they did a couple of hits of windowpane acid, and rehearsed for bit. OMG, she is mauling that poor piano player. Speechless.

[@taliyatofilau6029]

Judy and her legs lol

[@seventiesmemories5116]

If you read the Judy history books, she was not in good shape for this production. Maybe Judy live on TV was not the best format for her.

[@allengumm1157]

That was kind of a mess, and I'm a big-time Garland fan. She was all over the place; very little focus. I imagine people watching this on tv in 1956 were wondering what was going on. For more quality Garland, catch her 1955 and 1962 tv specials.

[@seventiesmemories5116]

The 1962 TV special was very polished.. Amazing how cruel the 1960's were to her. Clearly MGM did not have a pension plan.

[@wendellnelson1118]

FYI: Judy had one of the best set of legs in Hollywood. Even Marlene said Judy's were the best.

[@donatord]

She might be just a tad high. With the rather strange legs. But I love her anyway.

[@Sam13806]

Richard Donato Lol. She was all leg dude. She also was not a workout fan so her body was always a little odd looking.

[@summermen]

Choreography by little Lorna.

[@jimkane2538]

@@Sam13806 ö

[@matthewdarnell3535]

@@Sam13806 well she was short as hell. Lol my grandma was the same size and built just like Judy. All leg and no torso! I think it’s cute.

[@akrenwinkle]

@@matthewdarnell3535 Freeze at 01:55. Were it not live, it wouldn't have gotten past the prudes at CBS's "Standards and Practices" department.