ABOUT THE DISC & RECORDINGS:

This is Rhino's 2006 updated version of their 1995 special boxed set of "That's Entertainment! The Ultimate Anthology of M-G-M Musicals". What makes this new set different is the addition (and deletion) of several performances on the discs for each of the films that were not a part of the 1995 release.

Most of the "repeat tracks" have been "sonically upgraded" utilizing source materials discovered since the 1995 issue. Basically, if Rhino released a complete soundtrack to a particular film since the 1995 set, those newly restored versions are presented here. Most of the tracks sound much better than the first edition, especially those originally recorded in true stereo.

A few "sonic highlights" are:

"On The Atchison, Topeka And The Santa Fe" (The Harvey Girls - 1946): In the final portion of the song, Judy's voice stays front and center (as it does in the film) and does not fade into the chorus as it did on the previous 1995 release.

"Over The Rainbow" (The Wizard Of Oz - 1939): The odd, sudden loudness of the word "where" in Judy's second reading of "Somewhere over the rainbow" has been corrected. CORRECTION (from Scott): Upon listening to this for a second time, I've realized that I was wrong. That odd loudness has not been corrected. Chalk it up to my listening to it originally in the background while doing other work. One would think that if they went to the trouble of "sonically upgrading" most of the tracks already presented in the 1995 box, that they would correct this flaw in what is the greatest song ever written for the movies. Perhaps Rhino will re-release their deluxe Oz soundtrack, with sonically upgraded tracks, maybe giving us the existing stereo tracks in stereo, and better sounding mono than the original release. Which brings me to the question of why is Judy given such shoddy treatment in this boxed set? She was the greatest of all the MGM Musical stars, and yet her tracks have not been upgraded and/or corrected (see the note for Broadway Melody of 1938 below). "But Not For Me" (Girl Crazy - 1943) sounds a little better than I remember it, but I would have to listen to the original CD release side-by-side with this new release to give a final answer. The tracks from Meet Me In St. Louis don't impress me as being upgraded either. "For Me And My Gal" (For Me And My Gal - 1942) is still the inferior stereo mix from the original release, and not the superior sounding mono version as presented on their "Judy Garland In Hollywood" release. And last but not least, "A Couple Of Swells" (Easter Parade - 1948) is still that awful sounding playback disc version. I would much rather have a clean "sonically upgraded" version taken from the film (with audible dance steps and faux audience applause) than what we're still getting here. Although I really enjoy having the rarities on this new set, I feel that ultimately Rhino once again missed a chance to present these recordings as perfect as possible. Especially after they promoted the new disc of rarities and the "sonically upgraded" tracks. I've very happy that I only paid half price for this set. I would have been miffed if I had paid the full retail price!

"Dancing In The Dark" (The Band Wagon - 1953): This is now presented in full stereo. It sounds great, giving this classic performance new depth.

"Steppin' Out With My Baby" (Easter Parade - 1948): The first portion of this song is presented in stereo.

Oddly enough, "Dear Mr. Gable/You Made Me Love You" (Broadway Melody Of 1938 - 1937) still includes the immensely different, and inferior, outtake version of the last portion of the song. The complete version, as heard in the original film, can be found on the Rhino CD "Judy Garland In Hollywood - Her Greatest Hits".

The 6th disc "That's Entertainment! - Buried Treasures (outtakes from M-G-M Musicals)" features all previously unreleased material (excepting the "End Titles" from That's Entertainment III). A bona fide bonanza of the rare and wonderful, including the recently discovered complete version of Judy's "Buds Won't Bud" outtake from Andy Hardy Meets Debutante (1940). It had previously only been know to exist as a partial outtake.

The accompanying booklet is a re-print of the original 1995 booklet in some new color schemes, and an appropriate postscript explaining this new 2006 version. Many new and rare photos have been added throughout the section that gives details about each film featured in the set.

But don't throw away the 1995 set. The 6th disc on that set "That's More Entertainment!" is not included in this new release (see listing in notes below). Plus, several performances from the That's Entertainment! III CD have been removed (see notes below), including Judy's Annie Get Your Gun outtakes.

All images on this page from the collection of Scott Brogan.