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.
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.
Original DVD Release
Here are some before and after screenshots that show the differences in picture quality from the old standard DVD to the new, remastered edition on this Blu-ray. The newly remastered version is much sharper and clearer. The yellowish tint is gone, the color separation is gone and in many cases the differences are very subtle but it’s all much, much better!
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 differences between the old standard definition DVD and this newly remastered (finally!!) HD print is like night and day. It’s as if the film had been stuck in a shadow all they years and the curtains were finally pulled for all to see. Even if you’re not a fan of the film as you might be with Judy’s other films of this period, it’s still worth having for the amazing color, clarity, and music (which sounds as though it’s been upgraded too). It’s simply amazing!
Release Date: November 24, 2020
This is the Archive’s re-release of the DVD version originally released by Warner Home Video in 2004.
Check out The Judy’s Room’s Filmography Page on For Me And My Gal here.
Original DVD release
Release Date: November 24, 2020
This is the Archive’s re-release of the DVD version originally released in 2004 by Warner Home Video in a special two-disc DVD premiere edition. Previously the Archive re-released the Blu-ray edition of the film, see below.
Check out The Judy’s Room’s Spotlight on Meet Me In St. Louis here.
Original DVD release
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.
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.
Original DVD release
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)
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)
Release Date: April 14, 2020
This is the Archive’s re-release of the DVD version originally released in 2006 by Warner Home Video.
Original DVD release
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 release
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)
Original DVD release
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 2007 deluxe boxed set.
Release Date: June 26, 2018
This is the Archive’s re-release of the 2006 DVD originally released by Warner Home Video.
Original DVD release
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.
Check out The Judy Room’s Spotlight on Meet Me In St. Louis here.
Original Blu-ray release
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.
Release Date: January 10, 2017
This is the Archive’s re-release of the DVD version originally released by Warner Home Video in 2004.
Original DVD release
Release Date: January 10, 2017
This is the Archive’s re-release of the DVD version originally released by Warner Home Video in 2004.
Original DVD release
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.
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.
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.
Original DVD release
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.
Release Date: November 29, 2012
The Clock was previously released by Warner Home Video in 2007 but had been out of print for several years. This Warner Archive release has not been remastered
Original DVD Release
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
