Original press release for Volume 1:
Pioneer Entertainment
and Classic World Productions, Inc.
Presents the newest volume of
the Legendary Television Series
The Judy Garland Show, Volume 5
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 23, 2001
PIONEER ENTERTAINMENT AND CLASSIC WORLD PRODUCTIONS, INC.
PRESENT JUDY GARLAND AND BARBRA STREISAND IN THEIR ONLY PERFORMANCE TOGETHER!
THE JUDY GARLAND SHOW -- VOLUME FIVE
Arriving May 15th, Exclusive DVD Debut Features The First Two Episodes
Broadcast of this Legendary TV Series, along with Never-Before-Seen Outtakes
and Audio Commentary.
LONG BEACH, CA -- The two most beloved female musical stars of all time only
worked together once. Now, Pioneer Entertainment and Classic World
Productions, Inc. present this long-lost episode -- along with the broadcast
premiere program of Garland's series, with guest Donald O'Connor
--exclusively on DVD. "The Judy Garland Show -- Volume Five" includes two
never-before-released episodes in their entirety that originally aired
back-to-back on Sunday, September 29th, 1963 (the series debut, with
O'Connor) and the following Sunday, October 4th, 1963 (the legendary hour
with Streisand). Featuring rare behind-the-scenes outtakes and a commentary,
the digitally restored and remastered DVD arrives on May 15 for $24.98.
Judy Garland's only weekly TV series was the biggest news of the 1963-64
television season. The 41-year old Garland was at the peak of her career,
with her Grammy-winning Album Of The Year "Judy At Carnegie Hall" (just
restored in a 40th Anniversary Edition by Capitol Records), the corresponding
sellout tour of 40 concerts, her Academy Award-nominated performance in
"Judgment At Nuremberg," a TV special with fellow "Rat Pack" members Frank
Sinatra and Dean Martin (which brought CBS its highest rating to date), and
an acclaimed chat-fest on Jack Paar's TV show. Thus, CBS signed "the world's
greatest entertainer" to a deal worth an unprecedented $24 million. "The
Judy Garland Show" captured its star at her physical and vocal prime.
THE JUDY GARLAND SHOW -- VOLUME FIVE includes:
* Two complete episodes with Judy and her guests: Fellow Legend, Superstar,
and "Diva," Barbra Streisand in the only time the two cherished queens shared
a stage; Movie musical veteran Donald O'Connor ("Singin' In The Rain") as the
guest on Garland's Broadcast Premiere, The Smothers Brothers folk-singing
comedy act, and series regular Jerry Van Dyke. As an added bonus, you'll get
to see a surprise guest appearance by Broadway icon Ethel Merman, who joins
Judy and Barbra for a roof-raising rendition of the entertainment industry's
anthem, "There's No Business Like Show Business"
* Rare, behind-the-scenes outtakes -- never before broadcast.
* Audio commentary
* Newly created 5.1 Surround Sound and original mono audio tracks
* Digitally restored and remastered from the original 2" videotapes
This is one of the most exciting Volumes that Pioneer Entertainment and Classic World Productions, Inc. have released of this historic television series. To be able to see the first two episodes of "The Judy Garland Show" that TV audiences saw back in 1963 -- including the broadcast premiere with
Donald O'Connor -- is an amazing experience. The premiere of Garland's series won its time slot, beating "Bonanza," with a 35.9 rating and 44.0 share of the audience (compared to the western's 24.7 / 30.3 for NBC, and 17.8 / 21.8 for ABC's "Arrest and Trial.") Critics were also apparently riveted to their sets, as the reviews raved the next day that "Judy never looked more vivacious and sounded in fine voice" (NY TIMES); "For expert showmanship and simple human appeal, there's no one to compare with Miss Garland" (NY HERALD TRIBUNE); "She brought show business excitement back to the one-a-week on the home screen" (LOS ANGELES HERALD EXAMINER); "At the age of 41 years, 3 months, and 19 days, Judy was giving television its tastiest song and dance tonic of the season ... She was Miss Show Business adding the Miss Television crown to her laurels ... The talents of yore were everywhere evident, but the chassis was new and the model was modern" (SAN FRANCISCO HERALD-EXAMINER);
and even President John F. Kennedy said in a telegram to Judy "Congratulations on a wonderful show last night. Know it will be a big hit in the coming season." At the taping of the Streisand hour only 5 days later, the magic between the two singers was so evident that CBS demanded the show air two days later, bumping the already-scheduled airing, and resulting in a marathon editing session over the weekend -- along with more raves that Monday : "It's little wonder that a last minute switch was made .... All concerned seemed awed by the result of the session with Barbra Streisand. It proved a vocal highlight of the new season, even though the current annum is only two weeks old" (VARIETY). This Volume could thus be seen as "The Judy Garland Show -- The Beginning," as these were the first shows the public got to see.
"The Judy Garland Show -- Volume Five" follows the highly successful and
critically acclaimed "series of the series," which includes the release of
"The Judy Garland Show Collection," which was awarded Best Overall
Presentation (non-theatrical) by the Video Software Dealers Association
(VSDA).
Here's a sample of what critics have had to say about "The Judy Garland Show"
on DVD since their debut in 1999 :
"The greatest DVD set of the year, possibly ever" -- USA TODAY
"A high quality record of the legend at the peak of her abilities" -- TV GUIDE
"A full-bodied collection in it's own right" -- BILLBOARD
"Judy at the peak of her latter-day performing style" -- LIZ SMITH
"Her tremendous talent lives on" -- LOS ANGELES TIMES
"Garland's best segments still rattle the rafters, especially in 5.1 channel
sound" -- ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY
"The adult Judy, raw and riveting ... it's the DVD Event of the Year" --
ROLLING STONE
Perhaps the most remembered episode of Garland's TV series is when the legend
shared her stage with the up-and-coming legend Streisand. Judy personally
requested Barbra be on her show, and even came up with the idea for combining
one of each of their biggest songs, for their historic duet of "Happy Days
Are Here Again / Get Happy" (one of three times the singers join forces in
song during the hour). This appearance was instrumental in leading to
Striesand's series of specials for CBS, and made the two stars lifetime
supporters of each other. Barbra would later say of the experience : "I was
21 and she was 41. She was extraordinary, and, God, I thought she was great!
It was a great thrill to work with her. We had this instant soul connection."
Pioneer Entertainment and Classic World Productions, Inc. are proud to
present this historic, once-in-a-lifetime pairing of Judy Garland and Barbra
Streisand, for the first time ever in it's entirety since it's original
airing nearly 40 years ago.
Pioneer Entertainment (USA) Inc. (www.pioneer-ent.com) is a full-service
producer and distributor of entertainment software including film, music,
animation, and television shows on VHS and DVD. Headquartered in Long Beach,
California, Pioneer Entertainment is part of the Pioneer North America Group.
Its parent company, Pioneer Corporation, is recognized around the world for
its position at the forefront of optical disc technology, car electronics,
and consumer entertainment. With more than 20,000 employees worldwide and
over $4.2 billion in yearly sales worldwide, Pioneer operates facilities in
Japan, Europe, the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Classic World Productions, Inc. ranks as one of the most respected and
resourceful labels for back catalogue music and television programs and owns
over 30,000 titles from legendary entertainers including Tony Bennett, Tom
Jones, and Engelbert Humperdinck. "Presenting two of the greatest
entertainers together on DVD, Judy Garland and Barbra Streisand, is one of
the best things anyone could ever experience" Darryl Payne, President,
Classic World Productions, Inc.
###
For screener requests, artwork, or additional information for this title :
CONTACT:
JUDY GARLAND PROGRAM INQUISITIONS
Scott Schechter
garlands63@aol.com
The Judy Garland Show -- Volume 5
Price : $24.98 (DVD)
Pre-Order Date : 4-10-01
Street Date : 5-15-01
Running Time: Approx. 2 hours
Catalog Number : 11539
MPAA Rating: NR
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