 After
several inquiries about what happened to the previous
incarnation, I'm reinstating The Judy Room's "Essential" page.
Here you will find my choices for what I consider to
be the most essential Garland products.
As with any essential list, everything here is subjective,
and not everyone will agree with me. My choices are
based mainly on quality and content, as well as historical
context. I've also included a few personal favorite
because they're essential to me! :)
I hope this list will act as a guide to help both the
hardcore fan and the Judy-curious in wading through
the myriad of Garland related products out there.
The availability of these products changes almost daily.
Most of the items listed here are readily available.
Those that are out of print can usually be found at
auction sites such as eBay or
other online outlets.
For more information about products in past years,
be sure to check out the Judy
Room Year(s) in Review. These are my yearly reviews
of products and events over the past several years.
|
The
most common denominator that attracts people to Judy
Garland's would have to be her voice. And
what a voice! She had that rare ability to convey
joy, excitement, sadness, vulnerability, and every
other human emotion, simply through her voice. And
sometimes all of these emotions at the same time!
The following are the best and most essential CDs
to date.
If you want to see more Garland
music, check out The
Judy Garland Online Discography!
Click on the images below to go to the Discography entries
for those items.
The following are listed in no particular order. |
|
|
|
JUDY AT CARNEGIE HALL
What can you say about sheer perfection? This album has never
been out of release, and for good reason. It's simply the
greatest one-woman concert ever caught on album. Even people
who don't care FOR Judy Garland enjoy this album. |
|
|
ALONE
When people tell me that Judy Garland only sang show tunes,
I give them this. It changes their minds. Judy departs from
her normal repertoire and gives us what I consider her best
concept album for Capitol
Records. |
|
|
MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS
One of the best musicals ever made (see movies below), the
soundtrack for Meet Me In St. Louis stands on its
own as an American classic. And it gave Judy three of her
greatest hits (and three of the greatest songs ever written): "The
Trolley Song"; "The Boy Next Door"; and "Have
Yourself A Merry Little Christmas". As an added bonus,
this entire CD (and the remastered film, see below) is all
in true stereo. Gorgeous orchestrations by Conrad Sallinger.
Visit The Judy Room Spotlight On Meet Me In St. Louis to
learn all about the making of the film (and to see lots of
fun photos too!) |
|
|
THE STORY & SONGS OF THE WIZARD
OF OZ
The Wizard Of Oz is another of Judy's work that's
sheer perfection. For years, the MGM Records LP included
dialog and songs from the film, and is the LP that several
generations grew up with. Rhino Records has recreated that
listening experience in superior sound (some of it in true
stereo) and extended past the confines of the 12" LP. Rhino
has issued several editions on CD, including an "ultimate"
edition, but this would have to be my favorite because it
fondly evokes the original LP and the sound is just wonderful! |
|
|
A STAR IS BORN
Another film masterpiece, and another of Judy's albums that
has never been out of release. This expanded CD
includes for the first time most of the underscoring and
some outtakes. You can't go wrong with an Arlen/Gershwin
score that includes the legendary "The Man That Got Away".
Judy is in incredible voice! |
|
|
JUDY IN LOVE
Another of my favorites from Judy's Capitol years. This was
recorded in both stereo (link in image at left), and also
in mono. The mono
version was released in Japan in 2005 and
is fairly easy to obtain on eBay. |
|
|
THE LONDON SESSIONS
In August 1960, Judy went to Capitol's London recording studios
to record much of her repertoire in stereo for the first
time. The result is an amazing collection of gorgeous orchestrations
by Norrie Paramour. Judy's voice is incredible. |
|
|
GARLAND AT THE GROVE
Finally available on CD and complete for the first time,
"Garland At The Grove" was the first of Judy's concerts to
be professionally recorded and released on LP. This new CD
is remastered and sounds fantastic. There's nothing like
that lush 50's stereo. Although Judy's voice is experiencing
some fatigue (the recording was made at the end of her appearances
at The Grove), she's still wonderful. And who can resist
the chance to hear Judy Garland put her own spin on the pop
hit "Purple People Eater"!! |
|
|
GIRL CRAZY
The last of the Mickey Rooney/Judy Garland "let's put
on a show" musicals is also their best. The Gershwin
score is one of their best too, with Judy making the most
of "Bidin'
My Time", "Embraceable You", and "I Got
Rhythm". The most magical
is the beautiful poignancy she brings to "But Not For
Me".
Most of the soundtrack has been remastered in true stereo.
Who could ask for anything more? |
top of page
To
most of the general public, Judy Garland was a movie
star who's most famous role was "Dorothy"
in 1939's The Wizard Of Oz. But Judy Garland
was so much more. She was, to quote her musical mentor
Roger Edens, "the biggest thing to happen to
the MGM musical". And MGM made the biggest and
best musicals in film history - hence Judy Garland
was the greatest female star of the golden age of
movie musicals. As if that wasn't enough, Judy was
also an amazing dramatic actress. She was one of
the few stars who could "do it all": sing,
dance, act and be a hysterically funny comedienne.
Judy really is worthy of her status as "The
World's Greatest Entertainer".
This list is a bit long for an "essential" list,
but Judy Garland was such a huge film star and icon,
it seems imperative to make this list longer than
most. Besides, an essential Garland collection would
include most (if not all) of her films.
(Click on the images to go to the
DVD section entry for that film title)
For more movies, check out the DVD
section.
The following films are listed in no particular order. |
|
|
|
THE WIZARD
OF OZ (1939)
The greatest musical fantasy film ever made features one
of Judy's greatest and most effective film performances.
This 3-disc special edition DVD features the film remastered
with Warner Home Video's "Ultra Resolution Process".
The image quality is amazing. Extras include documentaries,
commentaries, and print reproductions of the Grauman's Chinese
Theatre Souvenir Premiere Program, publicity stills, and
other fun items. There is also a 2-disc
edition that features the same restored version of the
film and extras but without the print items and 3rd disc. |
|
|
EASTER PARADE (1948)
To be honest, this film has never been one of my favorite
Garland musicals. Judy is as wonderful as ever, but it's
more of an "MGM Musical" than a "Judy Garland
Musical". She manages to steal the show though, in her
only pairing with the legendary Fred Astaire and they create
cinema magic together with "A Couple Of Swells".
This DVD is worth getting for the extras: Judy's outtake
of "Mr.
Monotony" -
in edited form followed by the dailies used to edit the number
together. A rare chance to see the laborious process of filming
a seemingly simple number. Plus we get the wonderful 2004
PBS documentary "Judy
Garland - By Myself"
which is probably the best film documentary ever done about
Judy Garland. Definitely something to see! |
|
|
THE CLOCK (1945)
Judy's only straight drama for MGM proved that she could
be an effective and poignant dramatic actress. Judy is at
her MGM peak looking beautiful. The film has since become
known as one of the most effective wartime romances ever
made. Plus, it's nice to see Judy wearing the contemporary
styles of the day. |
|
|
FOR ME AND
MY GAL (1942)
Judy's first billing above the title, and her first pairing
with Gene Kelly (his screen debut) is an enchanting and fond
look at the lives of performers in Vaudeville during World
War I. This film works on so many levels. The music, the
performances, everything is wonderful. Highlights include
Judy's rendition of "After You've Gone" and her
pairing with Kelly in their definitive version of the title
song. |
|
|
THE PIRATE (1948)
The second pairing of Judy and Gene Kelly is a musical and
comedic romp. The Pirate is highly stylized and because of
that it polarizes Garland and film musical fans. Some love
it, others hate it. There's no middle of the road. I find
it great fun. Judy's husband at the time, Vincente Minnelli,
spared no expense in creating a Technicolor vision of the
Caribbean that could only exist in a film musical fantasy.
And that's part of the film's charm. Plus we get Judy and
Gene having a ball, culminating with Cole Porter's immortal
"Be A Clown". What's not to like? |
|
|
SUMMER STOCK (1950)
I certainly couldn't omit Judy and Gene's final pairing.
This was also Judy's last film for MGM, and her last number
recorded and filmed was the iconic "Get Happy" -
still magic more than 50 years later. A breezy and fun musical, Summer
Stock might not break new ground in the musical genre,
but it's better and more enjoyable than most. |
|
|
A STAR IS
BORN (1954)
Judy's Oscar nominated (don't get me started on that subject!!)
film comeback is also one of Hollywood's greatest masterpieces.
Expertly directed by George Cukor and co-starring the great
James Mason, this is the definitive version of the thrice
filmed story of an ingenue on the rise married to a star
on the way down. The songs by Harold Arlen and Ira Gershwin
(with an assist from Roger Edens) include the classic "The
Man That Got Away" and the now almost mythic "Born
In A Trunk"
- mythic at least to Garland aficionados. They don't make
them like this anymore! |
|
|
PRESENTING
LILY MARS (1943)
Judy's first official adult role. She's gorgeous here. It's
really more of a "B" musical, but Judy and recent
Oscar winner Van Heflin turn it into gold. |
|
|
MEET ME
IN ST. LOUIS (1944)
Another film masterpiece. Meet
Me In St. Louis ushered
in MGM's golden age of movie musicals, and the golden
age of producer Arthur Freed's "The Freed Unit". This is
the film that brought director Vincente Minnelli and Judy
together, resulting in marriage and the birth of Liza Minnelli!
But aside from that, the film itself is magic. This is the
film that even non-Garland fans enjoy. Judy is ravishing,
and her acting is so natural and understated it's easy to
overlook her contribution to the film as a whole. This 2-disc
DVD features the film restored using Warner Home Video's
"Ultra Resolution Process", and the sound is remastered in
true stereo. Pure magic from beginning to end.
Visit The Judy Room
Spotlight On Meet Me In St. Louis to learn all about
the making of the film (and to see lots of fun photos too!) |
|
|
I COULD
GO ON SINGING (1963)
This was Judy's final film performance and in many Garland
fan's eyes, one of her best. Although the plot
is a bit melodramatic at times, Judy rises above the
material effectively playing a character loosely based on
her own image and persona. Her performance of "By Myself"
is one of the best things she ever did on film. |
|
|
IN THE GOOD
OLD SUMMERTIME (1949)
A musical remake of the 1940 Ernst Lubitch classic The
Shop Around The Corner, Summertime features
one of Judy's best comedic performances. And we get to see
Liza Minnelli's film debut at the very end playing Judy's
character's daughter. A delightful film that is always enjoyable
to watch. |
top of page
Many,
many, many books have been written about Judy Garland.
Most have been dubious at best, but some have risen
above the lurid legends and sensationalistic aspects
of Judy's life to provide the reader with as accurate
a telling of Judy's life and/or career as possible.
Click on the images below to go
to those pages on Amazon.com if you want to purchase
them.
The following books are listed in no particular
order. |
|
|
|
JUDY
GARLAND THE DAY-BY-DAY CHRONICLE OF A LEGEND
By Scott Schechter
Schechter's book picks up where The Judy Room Timelines leave off. Regardless
of the fact that a few errors have been brought to light, this book is still
an amazing resource of information. |
|
|
THE
WIZARDY OF OZ
By Jay Scarfone and William Stillman
Originally published in 1999, this 2004 soft cover expanded
edition is nothing short of amazing. All about the making
of the classic film, the book is lavishly illustrated with
rare photos and tons of information. I highly recommend this
book for any fan of the film and/or classic Hollywood. |
|
|
RAINBOW'S
END - THE JUDY GARLAND SHOW
By Coyne Steven Sanders
This book is out of print but can still be found online.
It's the only book to focus solely on Judy's failed TV series
(now regarded as a classic). Tons of information make this
a neat peek into the world of television in the early 1960's. |
|
|
JUDY
GARLAND - WORLD'S GREATEST ENTERTAINER
By John Fricke
A wonderfully done biography. Mr. Fricke gives tons of facts
(and pictures) about Judy's entire career. This book doesn't
delve into Judy's personality,
but it is a good source for factual information.
The book is out of print, but it can be ordered from Amazon or found on eBay. |
|
|
JUDY
GARLAND - A PORTRAIT IN ART AND ANECDOTE
By John Fricke
Garland historian John Fricke has compiled a lovely
coffee-table sized book full of wonderful photos and information
about Judy's career. However, the theme of "art and
anecdote" is on display throughout via quotes about
Judy life and her art, from Judy's contemporaries as well
as Judy herself. |
top of page
Judy
Garland performed over 45 of her 47 years, successfully
crossing over from stage to film to radio and to TV with
such expertise that she created an amazing output of performances.
Because of this, some of her best CDs or DVDs (or in the
old days, LP's) are compilations culled from a wide variety
of sources. This list is comprised of what I think are
the best Garland compilations out there - in all media
formats.
Click on the images below for more information
about that item.
The following compilations are listed in no particular order.
|
|
|
THE COMPLETE DECCA
YEARS (plus)
Technically this CD boxed set went out of print years ago,
however it's still available for download from iTunes.
It's also worth getting on eBay or
other sites, not just for the recordings (all of Judy's Decca
recordings from the 30's and 40's), but for the fantastic
booklet detailing Judy's Decca career with excellent notes
by Ron O'Brien detailing Judy's Decca career. Lots of great
photos too. |
|
|
CLASSIQUES
ET INEDITS 1929 - 1956
This two CD set from France covers all aspects of Judy's career
from her earliest 1929 film performances through her Capitol
years The big caveat is disc two on which all but one of the
tracks are radio performances new to CD. Disc one features
several MGM Records versions of Judy's soundtrack performances
flawlessly remastered, and all four of her 1953 Columbia singles
remastered in surround sound. Definitely get this, it's worth
the price. Oh yes, the booklet includes excellent liner notes
written by Lawrence Schulman. |
|
|
THE
SHOW THAT GOT AWAY
Released in 2002, this is still the best overall CD compilation
of remastered performances from Judy's TV series. It's out
of print, but can still be found. It's worth it! |
|
|
THE
SIGNATURE COLLECTION
Seven of Judy's films in one great boxed set: For
Me And My Gal (1942); Ziegfeld Girl (1941); In
The Good Old Summertime (1949); The
Wizard Of Oz (1939)[not the remastered version
listed above]; Love Finds Andy Hardy (1938); and The
Harvey Girls (1945). All of these films are wonderful
in their own way. It's a good mix too, giving the view the
chance to see Judy progress from her pre-Oz days
to MGM superstar. |
|
|
THE
VERY BEST OF JUDY GARLAND - THE CAPITOL RECORDINGS 1955 -
1965
This excellent 3 CD set from Capitol/EMI in England almost
includes all of Judy's Capitol recordings. Three complete
albums are here: "Judy" (1956), "Alone" (1947),
and "Judy
In Love" (1958), as well as samplings
from Judy's other Capitol albums and some rarities like the
two amazing alternate takes from "The
London Sessions" of "Stormy Weather" and "Over
The Rainbow" among other treats. |
|
|
THE
MICKEY ROONEY & JUDY GARLAND COLLECTION
All four of Judy and Mickey Rooney's "let's put on a
show"
musicals, housed in probably the best DVD boxed set Warner
Home Video has released to day. A bonus disc includes a wonderful
Judy Garland "21 song salute" (21 Garland performances),
and a lavish hard bound book about the making of the films. |
|
|
MICKEY & JUDY
- THE JUDY GARLAND & MICKEY ROONEY COLLECTION
This 1995 4-CD set is out of print, but available on iTunes and eBay.
It's worth getting. And makes a wonderful companion to the
DVD set above. The liner notes in the similarly illustrated
booklet are even more detailed that that in the DVD set.
Lots of complete numbers, background music, outtakes, and
stereo versions. Plus some radio too! |
|
|
THE
ESSENTIAL JUDY GARLAND
Another great compilation from Capitol Records. This is worth
getting as well, for "It Never Was
You" which is an previously unreleased studio prerecording
for the soundtrack of I Could Go
On Singing, and a previously unreleased alternate
take of "Why
Was I Born" from
Judy's famous "London
Sessions". All of the tracks are remastered to
perfection! |
|
|
THAT'S
ENTERTAINMENT!
The complete trilogy! Judy is heavily featured in all three
films as well as in all of the extras. No film musical fan
should be without these!
Also available in HD-DVD and Blu-Ray.
The trilogy has been released in a fantastic CD
boxed set that's
also worth getting. |
|
|
JUDY
Released in 1998, and out of print, this 4 CD boxed set is
worth finding online. It's the only CD set to cover Judy's
entire recording career from 1929 through 1969. Plus you
get a great booklet and videocassette of highlights from
Judy's TV series. |
|
|
COLLECTOR'S
GEMS FROM THE M-G-M FILMS
Another out of print set, but it's readily available from iTunes.
You won't get the wonderful booklet, but you'll get the fantastic
remastered songs - many are only available on this set. Definitely
get this!
Also worth getting is the single CD "Judy
Garland In Hollywood - Her Greatest Movie Hits", which is a nice "best of Judy on
film" compilation. |
|
|
THE
JUDY GARLAND SHOW
Last but not least, we have "The Judy Garland Show".
Judy's complete series in two boxed sets as well as single
multi-show editions. They've all been remastered beautifully
by Pioneer, and it would be tempting to list every single
volume. Instead, just click on the image at left to go to
The Judy Room DVD page to see all of the volumes.
The two boxed sets that have all volumes are very difficult
to find. It might be easier to purchase the separate volumes,
and costly - but worth it! |
|
