The Warner Archive Collection was launched in 2009 as a kind of sister label to the Warner Home Video (WHV) label. The Archive began by releasing MOD (manufactured-on-demand) budget DVDs mostly of films that had not been released on DVD and were not restored or remastered. Since that time, the Archive has branched out and now releases high-quality Blu-rays. Some are re-releases of out-of-print WHV Blu-ray releases and most significantly, newly remastered and “HD Upgraded” releases of films that had not been upgraded in the 1080p HD format. Below are the Judy Garland films released by the Archive is both SD (DVD) and HD (Blu-ray) versions.
Words and Music
Release Date: August 27, 2024
This new remastering has been a long time coming. The film has never been remastered before in any format. It sure looked it, too! Now, it looks and sounds as it should.
From the press release:
New 2024 1080p HD master from 4K Scans of Original Nitrate Technicolor Negatives
WORDS AND MUSIC (1948)
BD-50
Running Time: 121 Minutes
COLOR
DTS-MA HD 2.0
16×9 1.37:1 with side mattes
Subtitles: English SDH
Cast: Mickey Rooney, Tom Drake, Janet Leigh, Perry Como, Betty Garrett, Judy Garland, Gene Kelly, Lena Horne, June Allyson, Ann Southern, Mel Torme, Vera-Ellen, Cyd Charisse.
SPECIAL FEATURES: Commentary by Film Historian Richard Barrios, Featurette: A Life in Words and Music, Unused musical sequences: You’re Nearer (Perry Como), Lover (Perry Como & M-G-M Orchestra and Chorus). Audio-only musical outtakes. Classic MGM cartoon: THE CAT THAT HATED PEOPLE, Classic MGM Short: GOING TO BLAZES!
For Me And My Gal
Release Date: June 7, 2022
Special Features:
- Commentary by Garland biographer John Fricke
- Vintage Judy Garland Musical Shorts: Every Sunday and La Fiesta de Santa Barbara
- Audio-Only Outtakes:
“For Me and My Gal” (Deleted Finale Photo Reconstruction)
“Three Cheers For The Yanks” (Audio Outtake) - Photo Re-Creations With Original Recordings
- Audio-Only Bonus:
“Screen Guild Players Radio Show” from March 23, 1943, with Judy Garland, Gene Kelly, and Dick Powell - Leo is on the Air Radio Trailer
- Original Theatrical Trailer (HD)
The Clock
Release Date: June 7, 2022
Special Features:
- Vintage Pete Smith Specialty Short – Hollywood Scout
- Classic Cartoon: The Screwy Truant
- Audio-Only Bonus: Radio Show Adaptation with Judy Garland and John Hodiak
- Theatrical Trailer
The previous standard DVD version released by the Archive on November 29, 2012, and the original DVD version released on April 6, 2004.February 6, 2007.
Ziegfeld Girl
Release Date: June 7, 2022
Special Features:
- Introduction by Garland Biographer John Fricke
- Vintage Judy Garland Musical Short – A New Romance Of Celluloid, We Must Have Music
- Our Gang Short – Melodies Old And New
- Audio-Only Outtakes:
“Too Beautiful To Last” (Tony Martin)
“We Must Have Music” finale (Judy Garland And Tony Martin) - Original Theatrical Trailer (HD)
The original DVD version
released on April 6, 2004.
In The Good Old Summertime
Release Date: August 17, 2021
FitzPatrick Traveltalks shorts:
The outtake (film and audio) of “Last Night When We Were Young” is inexplicably missing. Its omission here is puzzling.
The previous standard DVD version released by the Archive on January 10, 2017, and the original DVD version released on April 6, 2004.
Ziegfeld Follies of 1946
Release Date: June 15, 2021
Judy raps! Yes, that’s right. Judy raps – and raps well. Pre-dating rap by several decades, Judy raps in a portion of her satire “A Great Lady Has An Interview” (aka “Madame Crematante”). This is one of the few MGM Musicals to have the entire soundtrack survive in multiple “stems” (microphones placed strategically around the sound stage), making the enjoyment of the film a feast for the eyes AND the ears in true stereo.
Special Features:
- Vintage MGM “Crime Does Not Pay” short The Luckiest Guy in the World
- 2 classic MGM cartoons:
- The Hick Chick
- Solid Serenade
- Featurette Ziegfeld Follies: An Embarrassment of Riches
- Audio Only Extras: [* indicates audio new to this disc that wasn’t included in the previous DVDs)
- * Here’s to the Girls – Alternate Take with Unused Ending (Fred Astaire)
- * Liza – Unused Musical Sequence (Avon Long & Co.)
- We Will Meet Again in Honolulu – Unused Musical Sequence (James Melton & Co.)
- * A Cowboy’s Life – Unused Musical Sequence (James Melton & Co.)
- * ‘E Pinched Me – Partially Used in “Limehouse Blues” Sequence (Kay Thompson Vocal)
- * Look at Me, I’m an Indian – Partially Used in Opening Puppet Sequence (Fanny Brice Vocal)*
- * You’ve Gotta Start Off Each Day With a Song – Unused “Pied Piper” Sequence (Jimmy Durante Vocal)
- * Leo the Lion Speaks – Unused Sequence
- * There’s Beauty Ev’rywhere – Unused Finale Sequence (James Melton & Co.)
- * Love – (Spanish Language Version Performed by Lena Horne)
- Theatrical Trailer
- Audio in both remixed Dolby Surround Stereo and original Mono
- English Audio Subtitles: English, French & Spanish (feature film only)
Oddly enough, the audio outtake of If Swing Goes, I Go Too by Fred Astaire that was on the previous standard DVD releases is not included here. Those same DVDs included the theatrical trailers for MGM’s two other Ziegfeld films, The Great Ziegfeld (1936) and Ziegfeld Girl (1941) along with the trailer for Ziegfeld Follies of 1946. Only the latter is included here.
Check out The Judy Room’s Filmography Page on Ziegfeld Follies here.
The previous standard DVD version released by the Archive on June 26, 2018, and the original DVD version released on April 25, 2006.
The Harvey Girls
Release Date: December 22, 2020
New 2020 1080p HD Restoration from 4K Scan of the Original Nitrate Technicolor Negatives
Run Time: 102:00
Subtitles: English SDH
Audio Specs: DTS HD-Master Audio 2.0 – English
Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1 4×3 Full Frame
Product Color: COLOR
Disc Configuration: BD 50
Special Features: Feature-length audio commentary by Director George Sidney, Three Deleted Musical sequences: “March of the Doagies,” “March of the Doagies” (reprise), and “My Intuition.” Scoring stage sessions (audio only) featuring pre-recordings made for the film including the unused “Hayride.” “On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe” Remixed in Stereo (HD), Original Theatrical Trailer (HD).
Fully restored to its original Technicolor luster for its Blu-ray debut.
The previous standard DVD version released by the Archive on January 10, 2017, and the original DVD version released on April 30, 2001.
The Pirate
Release Date: November 24, 2020
NEW 2020 1080p HD Restoration from 4K scan of the original nitrate Technicolor negatives
Run Time: 101:00
Subtitles: English SDH
Audio Specs: DTS HD-Master Audio 2.0 – English
Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1 4×3 FULL FRAME
Product Color: COLOR
Disc Configuration: BD-50
Special Features: Commentary by Author/Historian John Fricke, Making-of featurette “THE PIRATE: A MUSICAL TREASURE CHEST”, Vintage M-G-M short You Can’t Win, Vintage M-G-M cartoon Cat Fishin’, “MACK THE BLACK” musical sequence in HD with stereo audio, Audio-only outtakes, Associate Producer Roger Edens’ guide/rehearsal recordings, Judy Garland and Gene Kelly M-G-M radio promotional interviews, Original Theatrical Trailer (HD).
The original DVD version
released on July 24, 2017.
Meet Me In St. Louis
Release Date: April 24, 2018
Originally released on December 13, 2011, in a special “digi-book” edition with a CD sampler of songs from the film’s soundtrack, this version of Meet Me In St. Louis is a disc-only version, without the “digi-book” or CD sampler. To date it’s the most recent Blu-ray release.
Check out The Judy Room’s Spotlight on Meet Me In St. Louis here.
Latest DVD version
released on November 24, 2020.
Original Blu-ray version
released on December 13, 2011.
Original DVD version
released on April 6, 2004.
A Star Is Born
Release Date: May 14, 2019
This is a re-release of the original 2010 Blu-ray edition. The disc contents are the same but the packaging here is in the simple clamshell and not in the “digi-book” format.
Original Blu-ray version
released on June 22, 2010.
Summer Stock
Release Date: April 30, 2019
NEW 2019 1080p HD MASTER
Run Time 109:00
Subtitles English SDH
Sound Quality DTS HD-Master Audio 2.0 – English
Aspect Ratio 4 X 3 FULL FRAME, 1.37:1
Product Color COLOR
Disc Configuration BD 50
Special Features: “Get Happy: The Making of Summer Stock” (featurette); Vintage Pete Smith Specialty Short Did’ja Know (SD); Vintage Tex Avery cartoon The Cuckoo Clock (HD); Theatrical Trailer (HD)
The original DVD version
released on April 25, 2006.
Girl Crazy
Release Date: July 21, 2020
NEW 2020 1080p master from 4K scan from best surviving preservation elements!
Run Time 99:00
Subtitles English SDH
Audio Specs MONO – English, DTS HD-Master Audio 2.0 – English
Aspect Ratio 1.37:1, 4 X 3 FULL FRAME
Product Color BLACK & WHITE
Disc Configuration BD 50
Special Features: Introduction by Mickey Rooney (in the HD format); Commentary by John Fricke; Comedy Short Hollywood Daredevils; Vintage Cartoon The Early Bird Dood It; “I Got Rhythm” in stereo and also in HD; Audio Only “Bronco Busters” Outtake; Theatrical Trailer (also in HD)
Strike Up The Band
Release Date: June 23, 2020
Run Time 100:00
Subtitles English SDH
Audio Specs DTS HD-Master Audio 2.0 – English, MONO
Aspect Ratio 4 X 3 FULL FRAME, 1.37:1
Product Color BLACK & WHITE
Disc Configuration BD 50
Special Features: Introduction to the film by Mickey Rooney (HD); Pete Smith Specialty Comedy Short “Wedding Bells”; Cartoon “Romeo in Rhythm”; “Do the La Conga” Stereo Remix Version (HD); “Leo is on the Air” Radio Promo; “Millions for Defense” (Audio Only); Lux Radio Theater 1940 Broadcast; Theatrical Trailer (HD)
The Mickey Rooney & Judy Garland Collection
Release Date: October 2, 2018
The deluxe boxed set released in 2007 by Warner Home Video was out of print and already a collector’s item when the Warner Archive re-released the films on these stand-alone discs (not as a boxed set). No remastering or upgrades were made on the films, but in 2020 (see above) both Strike Up The Band and Girl Crazy were newly remastered in HD and released on Blu-ray. They look great!
Check out The Judy Room’s Filmography Pages here:
Girl Crazy
Babes on Broadway
Strike Up The Band
Babes in Arms
The original DVD version
released on September 7, 2007.
That's Entertainment! Trilogy
Release Date: September 22, 2020
This is the Archive’s re-release of the Blu-ray, originally released by Warner Home Video in 2007 in both the Blu-ray and (now defunct) HD-DVD formats. The series was re-released in the standard DVD format by Warner Home Video in 2015 as part of their series of sets titled “Greatest Classic Films.” The films debuted on DVD in 2004.
Unfortunately, this new Blu-ray set presents the films only in their theatrical release aspect ratios (some of the standard aspect ratio films were cropped to a faux widescreen for theaters) and not the added option of watching them with all of the clips in their correct, original aspect ratios.
Another “negative” is that the films have not been upgraded to true HD.
The original DVD version
released on October 12, 2004.
That's Dancing!
Release Date: October 27, 2020
The DVD premiere of this sort-of-entry in the That’s Entertainment! series. Judy is only featured in one clip, Ray Bolger’s outtake dance of “If I Only Had A Brain” from The Wizard of Oz.
Annie Get Your Gun
Release Date: April 20, 2021
Presenting Lily Mars
Release Date: August 20, 2013
Presenting Lily Mars was previously released by Warner Home Video in 2006 but had been out of print for several years. This Warner Archive release has not been remastered.
Check out The Judy Room’s Spotlight on Presenting Lily Mars here.
The original DVD version
released on September 25, 2007.
Broadway Melody of 1938
Release Date: April 14, 2020
This is the Archive’s re-release of the DVD version originally released in 2006 by Warner Home Video.
The original DVD version
released on April 8, 2008.
The Andy Hardy Collection - Volumes 1 & 2
Volume One Release Date: December 1, 2011
This first set includes Judy’s two previously-unreleased-on-DVD Hardy titles: Andy Hardy Meets Debutante & Life Begins for Andy Hardy. The other titles in the collection are: You’re Only Young Once; Judge Hardy and Son; Out West with the Hardys; & Andy Hardy’s Private Secretary.
Volume Two Release Date: July 9, 2013
This second set completes the Andy Hardy Series. The only Garland entry is 1938’s Love Finds Andy Hardy, which is generally considered to be the prototype of the entire series. Originally released on DVD in 2004, it has not been remastered here. The DVD here is a copy of the 2004 edition. All other entries from the series presented here have been remastered.
Check out The Judy Room’s Filmography “Andy Hardy Series” Page here.
Listen, Darling
Release Date: March 20, 2012, re-released on April 18, 2012
Judy’s only pairing with Freddie Bartholomew. This charming film features Judy’s only screen performance of the song that was in her repertoire longer than any other: “Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart.” Mary Astor, Walter Pidgeon, and Alan Hale provide wonderful support.
Thoroughbreds Don't Cry
Release Date: March 15, 2011
Judy and Mickey’s first on-screen pairing. It’s a better film than we all remember, mainly due to the talents of the young performers and the one and only Sophie Tucker. Judy only sings one song “Gotta Pair of New Shoes” but it’s a charmer. Keep an eye out, some of the stock horse raising footage popped up in Jean Harlow’s final film Saratoga co-starring Clark Gable, also released in 1937.
Little Nellie Kelly
Release Date: March 15, 2011
This charming 1940 film features Judy singing such hits as “Singin’ In The Rain,” “A Pretty Girl Milking Her Cow,” and “It’s a Great Day For The Irish.” The film also has the distinction of being the only time Judy had a death scene, playing the mother who dies after giving birth to Nellie Kelly (Judy plays both roles). It’s a great, vintage MGM Musical.
Gay Purr-ee
Release Date: December 3, 2014
Judy’s only foray into the world of animated films is a charmer, and ahead of its time with its artwork and adult themes.
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
Release Date: March 11, 2017
Originally titled “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: 50 Years of Magic” this made-for-television documentary first aired on network TV on February 20, 1990, after the annual showing of the film (and as part of the 50th-anniversary celebration that started the year before). Angela Lansbury is the hostess. The documentary was a part of all of the boxed set releases of the film up until the 2013 75th anniversary edition.
This Warner Archive release is the first time the documentary has been presented as a stand-alone release and not as an extra feature as part of a boxed set. As with all of the Warner Archive releases, it has not been remastered, it’s a “made to order” DVD-R. The cover art is the same as the 1993 laserdisc & VHS editions.
Check out The Judy Room’s Spotlight on The Wizard of Oz here.
Classic Shorts from The Dream Factory - Volume 2
Release Date: November 19, 2013
This second volume of shorts features (among other delights) the 1936 MGM short Every Sunday starring Judy and Deanna Durbin in their first official film for the studio.
Check out the Judy Garland Film Shorts Page here.
Vitaphone Cavalcade of Musical Comedy Shorts
Release Date: December 14, 2010
This 6-disc set features many great shorts from the Vitaphone library, including Judy’s appearance with her sisters (The Gumm Sisters) in the 1930 short Bubbles. This would be Judy’s final appearance on film until La Fiesta de Santa Barbara in 1935.
To learn more about Judy’s early shorts, check out The Gumm Sisters Shorts page here in The Judy Room.
Classic Musical Shorts from The Dream Factory
Release Date: May 18, 2010
This 4-disc set features many great MGM shorts in which some future stars make early appearances, such as Virginia O’Brien and, in their last official appearance together, “The Garland Sisters.” This is the second appearance on DVD of their 1935 Technicolor short La Fiesta de Santa Barbara. It was previous released as an extra on the 2004 DVD of For Me And My Gal. This new set is jammed full of great, vintage shorts making their debut on DVD. Definitely worth buying.
Everybody Sing
Release Date: October 6, 2009
This is the first Judy Garland film to be featured at the Archive, excepting her guest appearance in Thousands Cheer (see below).
Thousands Cheer
Release Date: April 14, 2009
The first Garland release from the Warner Archive was t1943’s Thousands Cheer, which features Judy’s guest appearance singing “The Joint Is Really Jumpin’ Down At Carnegie Hall.” This was Judy’s first appearance in Technicolor after 1939’s The Wizard of Oz. It’s also the first time that she made a guest appearance on film as herself.
