The Judy Garland Show –
Tony Bennett/Steve Lawrence (Shows
#5 & 6) + Peggy Lee/Ethel Merman (Shows #13 & 16) [Geneon]
Picture: C+
Sound: C+ Extras: C Episodes: B-
Geneon continues its classy reissue of episodes from The
Judy Garland Show (1963 – 64) originally issued under the Pioneer
name. This time, the singles are double
episode releases of Tony Bennett/Steve Lawrence (Shows #5 & 6) + Peggy
Lee/Ethel Merman (Shows #13 & 16) are now available and they are good
shows.
In these cases, I was not happy with the choice of all the
songs or even some of the performances, but appearances from Mel Torme, Dick
Shawn, Jerry Van Dyke, June Allyson, Jack Carter, Carl Reiner, Peter Gennaro
and Shelley Berman are nice, while Norman Jewison even directs some of the
happenings. Each show is about 50
minutes, intended for an hour-long time slot.
I you like showtunes and song standards, then you’ll enjoy these sets. Bennett and Merman shine in particular.
The 1.33 X 1 image is from the black and white videotape
and looks very good and bright as if it came directly from the original 2”
reels. There are occasional flaws in
the tape and the analog NTSC video is obviously limited, but it looks good for
its age and as good as any such monochrome tape material from its time has
looked on DVD to date. The Dolby
Digital is here in 2.0 Mono and a 5.1 mix that is a little better, but still
very much in the front three speakers.
Extras include five outtakes on the first DVD, one on the second and
nice booklets inside the cases of both.
Geneon is making these reissues very appealing and that will make fans
very happy.
- Nicholas Sheffo