and what big voices they had. i've always got idea's for old hollywood movie stars to still do some movies that i've created in my head; a movie with judy and martha wouldn't that be awesome.
I love the fact that these people were real and lived at one time, and talented, with humor, singing, dancing and acting. i love it; judy, martha, mel, june.
seasoned performers, maybe not at the top of their game here, BUT, still MARVELOUS TO WATCH AND LISTEN TO..HOW MANY OF THE SINGERS TODAY WILL BE ABLE TO STAY AROUND AS LONG AS THEY DID? OR, have a voice of any kind as far as that goes?
Torme's book is called THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RAINBOW. Back in the day of Straw Hat Circuits, I got to see Raye in the musical WILDCAT playing Lucille Ball's part and a pre-Broadway tryout for a show that never got there: HELLO, SUCKERS about Texas Guinan. These were at the old Westbury Music Fair on Log Island. And has anyone noted it's June Allyson on the floor with Judy at the onset of this clip?
I always loved Martha Raye and God how incredible to see her with Garland here. I've never seen this before. They were dynamite together. Thanks so much for sharing this! I once saw Martha coming out of a gay piano bar in Laguna Beach, a young gay man on each arm, Martha was loaded and singing at the top of her lungs and having a hellavu time.
What an amazing clip! THANKS for sharing it! Mel Torme was the show's musical director & also appeared on the show a few times. He wrote a book about his experiences on the show. Forget the name of it, but t I read it back in the 70's. Fascinating book. Too bad Judy's show only lasted one season....it was slaugherted in the ratings by "Bonanza"....few shows did well against that classic TV Western. One of show biz's greatest tragedies is Judy Garland's early death due to drug abuse.
Mel is so hammy and awful. He looks like a glad ol' toad. Martha and Judy had a husband in common: David Rose. PS Defundthewar, Martha was NEVER a belter....
@mmdillons What I said was Martha COULD belt as well as handle ballads. Both are terrific here, and a little thing like Judy snatching away Martha's husband, David Rose, never spoiled their friendship. BTW, who did the incidental music for Judy's competitor Bonanza? David Rose! But no, Rose didn't write the awful "Bonanza" theme song.
Wow! They almost don't make dames/performers like this anymore! I'm amazed how well Judy's and Martha's vocals blend together. One wouldn't think of them sounding so great together (their comedic timing is impeccable-esp Martha's!)! Thank you so much for posting this fantastic jewel!
Looking at Garland, here at 42 yo, and 5 years away from death, she seems so well, so healthy, so unlike what was apparently going on behind the scenes. Love Martha Raye....ever since I saw here as a kid in some Abbott and Costello film, and she had a pair of legs that were amazing. Ongoing competition during the war was btw her and Bety Grable as to the best legs. Her life story, I understand, was done in the Bette Midler film, with James Caan, where she sings "For the Boys"!
@ferrierepc I think having a steady job was just what the doctor ordered for Judy, and you're quite right, she has the look of wellness she would not recapture in the subsequent 5 years. Judy and Martha shared something beside the stage... husband David Rose, who, by strange coincidence, was musical director of Judy's competition, Bonanza, although he didn't write the cornball themesong. Jerry Van Dyke's broom act was his way of saying he was a total bust, on the way out.
Martha was a fantastic singer, who, like Judy could belt and also work wonders with ballads. Carol Burnett used to have Martha as guest star on her show often, but when Martha got older, Burnett stopped inviting her. June Allyson, unless everyone connected with the show was lying, was drunk, and in June's own auto-bio, she admitted to alcoholism. Still, she looks young and very pretty here. Overlooked today, she was an enormously popular star of
We know from two eldersisters who were there that Martha was often in Probe and the Eagle in LA and that she LOVED amyl! (Probably why she ended up in such bad physical shape in later years)
@impCaesarAvg It depends on your definition of their "voices". Apropos Judy's singing voice, you have to remember (some people seem to need reminding) that she was a human being, with all a human being's vulnerabilities and limits. Her voice was her instrument and, of course, she could not sustain the same quality her whole life. However, her power, her ability to interpret a song and impact on an audience remained to the end. Really listen; don't just hear Judy sing.
@hirchik Of course, smoking didn't impair their talents, and their skills increased with experience. But the chronic irritation damaged their throats. That's the sad truth. If you don't smoke, don't start! If you do, quit! But in any case, we can still enjoy the work of these old stars, these beautiful humans.
@hirchik I agree, in essence. But Judy was hired to sing. Her off-stage issues destroyed what she was suposed to do--sing beautifully. Had she aquired money and the ability to choose when and where and how much she sang, it might have turned out different. Or not. Judy did what she wanted to do. Her victim pose was just that--a pose. She was a genius, the greatest. But...she was her own woman. Her bad choices were her choices. I adore her and her bad choices.
@waif55 Well technically her not having money isn't her fault, some guy embezzled money from her. And also mgm got her started on the pills which then led to addiction because mgm made her depend on them for all those years she was with the studio. It's very unfortunate :/
@kern39743 maybe the cigarrets were more light back then...but also i mean is the talent for me till this day no one sings better than Judy Garland... her voice is unique
@kern39743 Unfortunately almost all performers (singers, actors, etc.,) smoked, and still do. And poor Judy traded one addiction for another throughout her life...
How wonderful! Martha could have enjoyed a great singing career--she was Anita O'Day's inspiration--but her comic career took her in another direction. Judy of course is peerless, even in rehearsal.
That's Judy's old MGM pal June Allyson in the first part of the clip - June was still mourning the recent loss of her husband, actor Dick Powell. Judy was well aware of this, and insisted that June come and "guest" on her show - she knew it would be good for June, helping her to focus on something new and move (her) past her grief. A very sweet gesture!
Acc. to June, Judy invited her on the show during an especially low point in her (June's) life, and it's great to see June and Judy having fun here. So what if they had a few glasses of the ol' Blue Nun?
what makes me say that ??? come on...have you seen the show ? reality check ? June Allyson's alcohol problem was no secret..she got over it to her credit and I think she was a lovely person(in as far as we can assert that), but on that show she was drunk , it was indeed nice of Judy to ask her, and yes she was at a low point in her life , and blablabla.. but she was clearly drunk, it's there on dvd for everyone to witness, outtakes and all..
Despite the fact that one of Martha's husbands, composer David Rose, left her for a young Judy Garland, Judy and Martha remained close friends. This clip is priceless and showed how spontaneous and funny Raye was.
I'm pretty sure a version of this duet did air... if not it is included in the Duets on disc 6 of the Judy Garland Show. it is hillarious, clearly they had alot of fun doing this together. thanks for posting!
whoever put this on here has cut the duet the later part was aired the begining was not if you look closely u can see the cut at 522 so you are half right haha
and what big voices they had. i've always got idea's for old hollywood movie stars to still do some movies that i've created in my head; a movie with judy and martha wouldn't that be awesome.
EthanOberlin 3 months ago
I love the fact that these people were real and lived at one time, and talented, with humor, singing, dancing and acting. i love it; judy, martha, mel, june.
EthanOberlin 3 months ago
Martha and Judy are so cute together
CliffordXHA1 8 months ago
the reason they sang so good and smoked was because they also DRANK ALOT!
michaeljohndudley 8 months ago
Mel Torme was a fellow Chicagoan. Always liked him. Besides he wrote the Christmas Song! I still miss him, he was such a pleasant person.
boomerang905 9 months ago
Torme is IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
kevinherbert 10 months ago
Torme rules!
rankingtrevor 10 months ago
Judy looks simply amazing <3
ninskimig123 1 year ago
luv that
MyGward 1 year ago
Thank you so much for posting this vid.(:
marvolo21mz 1 year ago
seasoned performers, maybe not at the top of their game here, BUT, still MARVELOUS TO WATCH AND LISTEN TO..HOW MANY OF THE SINGERS TODAY WILL BE ABLE TO STAY AROUND AS LONG AS THEY DID? OR, have a voice of any kind as far as that goes?
singer9545 1 year ago
Thats June Allyson!!
brandonhighgirl 1 year ago
i'm a teen and i love everything from back then.
i haven't laughed this hard in a long time!
musicloveBH 1 year ago 2
@musicloveBH me tooooooo i just love them!
brandonhighgirl 1 year ago
Oh Well.
82abnoff 1 year ago
Who's the guy at the beginning? Mel Tormé? Five flats!
impCaesarAvg 1 year ago
You Tube rox...so does Mel....
kevinherbert 1 year ago
thats june allyson not martha raye
estellesuarez27 1 year ago
Notice we dont have such great performers who can pull stuff like this off anymore.. Judy and Martha are awesome
NFitalianGuy 1 year ago
That doesn't look like Martha Raye on J's left.
beboos1 1 year ago
@beboos1 It might not look like Martha Raye but it is (not the blond woman at the very beginning of this video, who IS June Allyson.
hirchik 1 year ago
9:24 is HILARIOUS....Martha Raye was a funnnnny lady....
bluzgal87 1 year ago
Martha's mugging for the camera is off the chain :D
ragemanchoo82 1 year ago
Fantastic!!!!
craiges2002 1 year ago
I`ve died and gone to heaven !
jazzmanzoot 1 year ago 2
this is great hilarious they always put a smile on my face esp. judy
maxie102 1 year ago
wow both so talented and fun
shealways 2 years ago 7
Torme's book is called THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RAINBOW. Back in the day of Straw Hat Circuits, I got to see Raye in the musical WILDCAT playing Lucille Ball's part and a pre-Broadway tryout for a show that never got there: HELLO, SUCKERS about Texas Guinan. These were at the old Westbury Music Fair on Log Island. And has anyone noted it's June Allyson on the floor with Judy at the onset of this clip?
skippyd89 2 years ago 2
I always loved Martha Raye and God how incredible to see her with Garland here. I've never seen this before. They were dynamite together. Thanks so much for sharing this! I once saw Martha coming out of a gay piano bar in Laguna Beach, a young gay man on each arm, Martha was loaded and singing at the top of her lungs and having a hellavu time.
1timysand 2 years ago 4
I know! I was almost on the floor :D
Fredfanish 2 years ago
What an amazing clip! THANKS for sharing it! Mel Torme was the show's musical director & also appeared on the show a few times. He wrote a book about his experiences on the show. Forget the name of it, but t I read it back in the 70's. Fascinating book. Too bad Judy's show only lasted one season....it was slaugherted in the ratings by "Bonanza"....few shows did well against that classic TV Western. One of show biz's greatest tragedies is Judy Garland's early death due to drug abuse.
JubalCalif 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Martha looks like she should be working behind the lunch counter at Woolworth's, wearing a hairnet over her hair and peds in her orthopedic shoes....
mmdillons 2 years ago
Mel is so hammy and awful. He looks like a glad ol' toad. Martha and Judy had a husband in common: David Rose. PS Defundthewar, Martha was NEVER a belter....
mmdillons 2 years ago
@mmdillons What I said was Martha COULD belt as well as handle ballads. Both are terrific here, and a little thing like Judy snatching away Martha's husband, David Rose, never spoiled their friendship. BTW, who did the incidental music for Judy's competitor Bonanza? David Rose! But no, Rose didn't write the awful "Bonanza" theme song.
defundthewar 2 years ago
I fucking Love Judy and June so much
Mernerwastaken 2 years ago
wow, where did you get this ?
nandesneto 2 years ago
Wow! They almost don't make dames/performers like this anymore! I'm amazed how well Judy's and Martha's vocals blend together. One wouldn't think of them sounding so great together (their comedic timing is impeccable-esp Martha's!)! Thank you so much for posting this fantastic jewel!
SillySeaWeed 2 years ago
@SillySeaWeed i guess that's part of being a great singer: blending with ur duet partner
uncoverbrother 2 years ago
Fantastic stuff...thanks for this!
donnyvango 2 years ago
Looking at Garland, here at 42 yo, and 5 years away from death, she seems so well, so healthy, so unlike what was apparently going on behind the scenes. Love Martha Raye....ever since I saw here as a kid in some Abbott and Costello film, and she had a pair of legs that were amazing. Ongoing competition during the war was btw her and Bety Grable as to the best legs. Her life story, I understand, was done in the Bette Midler film, with James Caan, where she sings "For the Boys"!
ferrierepc 2 years ago
@ferrierepc I think having a steady job was just what the doctor ordered for Judy, and you're quite right, she has the look of wellness she would not recapture in the subsequent 5 years. Judy and Martha shared something beside the stage... husband David Rose, who, by strange coincidence, was musical director of Judy's competition, Bonanza, although he didn't write the cornball themesong. Jerry Van Dyke's broom act was his way of saying he was a total bust, on the way out.
defundthewar 1 year ago
Martha was a fantastic singer, who, like Judy could belt and also work wonders with ballads. Carol Burnett used to have Martha as guest star on her show often, but when Martha got older, Burnett stopped inviting her. June Allyson, unless everyone connected with the show was lying, was drunk, and in June's own auto-bio, she admitted to alcoholism. Still, she looks young and very pretty here. Overlooked today, she was an enormously popular star of
the 40s and 50s.
defundthewar 2 years ago 4
.thats June Alison at the beginning by the way...
tyjeffries 2 years ago
We know from two eldersisters who were there that Martha was often in Probe and the Eagle in LA and that she LOVED amyl! (Probably why she ended up in such bad physical shape in later years)
mrspatrickcampbell 2 years ago
Gawd, what a treat! Thanks for posting this treasure.
sandaglad 2 years ago 2
how did judy kep a straight face! Thanks for this bluebird! I love it
33meemoo 2 years ago
Martha stole LadyBird Johnson's hair.
PutannaXXX 2 years ago
Anyone know what year this was? This is fantastic :D
sno85 2 years ago
Maybe 1961
PutannaXXX 2 years ago
January 14, 1964
BluebirdTV 2 years ago 2
how could a lot of the great singers of this era sing so good and be smokers.
kern39743 2 years ago 4
Talent
BluebirdTV 2 years ago 6
@BluebirdTV
LOL...I guess it isn't all that bad????? It's the alcohol that really kills ya!!
singer9545 1 year ago
@kern39743 As they aged, their voices went to hell.
impCaesarAvg 1 year ago
@impCaesarAvg It depends on your definition of their "voices". Apropos Judy's singing voice, you have to remember (some people seem to need reminding) that she was a human being, with all a human being's vulnerabilities and limits. Her voice was her instrument and, of course, she could not sustain the same quality her whole life. However, her power, her ability to interpret a song and impact on an audience remained to the end. Really listen; don't just hear Judy sing.
hirchik 1 year ago
@hirchik Of course, smoking didn't impair their talents, and their skills increased with experience. But the chronic irritation damaged their throats. That's the sad truth. If you don't smoke, don't start! If you do, quit! But in any case, we can still enjoy the work of these old stars, these beautiful humans.
impCaesarAvg 1 year ago
@hirchik I agree, in essence. But Judy was hired to sing. Her off-stage issues destroyed what she was suposed to do--sing beautifully. Had she aquired money and the ability to choose when and where and how much she sang, it might have turned out different. Or not. Judy did what she wanted to do. Her victim pose was just that--a pose. She was a genius, the greatest. But...she was her own woman. Her bad choices were her choices. I adore her and her bad choices.
waif55 1 year ago 2
@waif55 Well technically her not having money isn't her fault, some guy embezzled money from her. And also mgm got her started on the pills which then led to addiction because mgm made her depend on them for all those years she was with the studio. It's very unfortunate :/
kittystolemycookie94 1 month ago in playlist Judy Garland Show - Unaired
@kern39743 maybe the cigarrets were more light back then...but also i mean is the talent for me till this day no one sings better than Judy Garland... her voice is unique
StefanieLovesJonas 1 year ago
@kern39743 Unfortunately almost all performers (singers, actors, etc.,) smoked, and still do. And poor Judy traded one addiction for another throughout her life...
Sad.
dannybex 1 year ago
Judy and Martha just acting goofy at rehearsals is still better than most peoples real performances. A treasure to watch
JTPolo101 2 years ago 30
Thanks for this historical post. Martha, Judy, Al, and the singer's singer the Mel!
leesterg 3 years ago 2
at 1:52, the look on Judy's face is precious, like the girl from early MGM.
almamatters2471 3 years ago
this is so great. thanks for posting
bogadea 3 years ago
I actually have this medley on my iPod. lol. Glad to see it in video! Thanks for posting! =D
Marlimoo14 3 years ago
i would love to have that, were did u find it?
aggiemik49 3 years ago
I found it on iTunes.
The Album Name is "Judy Garland and Friends" the song is Glen Miller Medley
Marlimoo14 3 years ago
At what time on the video did martha say "You blew it again Judy" ????
CJluvsdance 3 years ago
On this version? Never. It's only in the complete version of take three. This version is three takes combined and deletes that bit.
BluebirdTV 2 years ago
it's funny how people get over their past hurts-wonder if they were frnz with David Rose too????
Janster59 3 years ago
How wonderful! Martha could have enjoyed a great singing career--she was Anita O'Day's inspiration--but her comic career took her in another direction. Judy of course is peerless, even in rehearsal.
waynebrasler 3 years ago
These are great performances. What a dynamic choice of medley songs for Ms. Garland and Ms. Raye!
dizozza 3 years ago 2
That's Judy's old MGM pal June Allyson in the first part of the clip - June was still mourning the recent loss of her husband, actor Dick Powell. Judy was well aware of this, and insisted that June come and "guest" on her show - she knew it would be good for June, helping her to focus on something new and move (her) past her grief. A very sweet gesture!
etienne818 3 years ago 2
yea, but it didn't help that June Allyson was drunk during the shoot....
Dirkdebruyne 3 years ago
What makes you say that?!?!?!?
Marlimoo14 3 years ago
Acc. to June, Judy invited her on the show during an especially low point in her (June's) life, and it's great to see June and Judy having fun here. So what if they had a few glasses of the ol' Blue Nun?
June seems fine during the show...
dallyx66 3 years ago
what makes me say that ??? come on...have you seen the show ? reality check ? June Allyson's alcohol problem was no secret..she got over it to her credit and I think she was a lovely person(in as far as we can assert that), but on that show she was drunk , it was indeed nice of Judy to ask her, and yes she was at a low point in her life , and blablabla.. but she was clearly drunk, it's there on dvd for everyone to witness, outtakes and all..
Dirkdebruyne 3 years ago
you know, my face actually hurts from watching this, i was laughing so much :D
holisox 3 years ago 3
Judy and Martha sound really good together. I didn't know Martha Raye sang at all. I think in those days performers were so much more well rounded.
sisalrug 3 years ago
you should check out martha doing the song Watch the Birdie...it's on here somewhere
holisox 3 years ago
This is really funny
xxxyorks 3 years ago
Despite the fact that one of Martha's husbands, composer David Rose, left her for a young Judy Garland, Judy and Martha remained close friends. This clip is priceless and showed how spontaneous and funny Raye was.
madman37115 3 years ago
This is great to see! Relaxed and somewhat better . . . thank you for generously posting this.
Montavanni 3 years ago
judy is absolutely stunning in this. nobody can ever top her, shes just uncompareable!
actressindemaking 3 years ago 2
This comment has received too many negative votes show
I think Martha Raye was great in this. Her voice was better than Judy's here.
Tecobelli 3 years ago
Thanks thanks and thanks for posting this
marcentoile 3 years ago
Wow. Mel sounds great and it's fantastic to see the cast enjoying themselves. Thanks for posting this!
AngusTCat 3 years ago
I'm pretty sure a version of this duet did air... if not it is included in the Duets on disc 6 of the Judy Garland Show. it is hillarious, clearly they had alot of fun doing this together. thanks for posting!
gypsypixy3 3 years ago
The third portion of the Judy/Martha medley aired. I combined 2 incomplete takes with the third aired take.
BluebirdTV 3 years ago
whoever put this on here has cut the duet the later part was aired the begining was not if you look closely u can see the cut at 522 so you are half right haha
paulsimpson123 3 years ago
this is so much better than some material that was actually aired
bowmister 3 years ago