No one knew music in the movies better than
Judy Garland, who brought a parade of the great film songs to life, including five of Hollywood's biggest hits: "Over the Rainbow," "The Trolley Song," "Easter Parade," "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," and "On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe."
Judy Goes Hollywood! Music from the Movies includes 18 songs from the movies, but not a single one of her greatest appear here. Instead, these are rare recordings she performed on television, when her program, The Judy Garland Show was lighting up the airwaves -- but, sadly, not the ratings -- during 1963-1964. The material is a treasure for
Garland fans nevertheless, with versions of "Alexander's Ragtime Band," "That's Entertainment," and "They Can't Take That Away from Me," along with more contemporary material like "Moon River" and "Paris Is a Lonely Town" (the latter was introduced by
Garland in 1962's Gay Purr-ee). Toward the end comes another treat: versions of three Wizard of Oz evergreens, performed with Broadway legend (and Scarecrow)
Ray Bolger. ~ John Bush