Judy Garland - 1965 - Cole Porter Medley

[Pelon714]

Cole Porter LOVE it. Just watched Midnight in Paris and wanted to hear some Cole Porter.

[QuartElle]

@Pelon714 me too :D

[rgjerde53]

What could be better --Judy still had it, and Cole Porter is forever. It's hard to tell who was better at composing -- Cole Porter or George Gershwin? To quote from another old star (John Wayne) -- I'd hate to live on the difference.

[WikeddTung]

certainly not one of her best performances, but NOBODY could've handled this really complex medley (lousily arranged to boot) as well.

[sarakat76]

Judy is fantastic!

[misslilah01]

tombradley she has more true talent n genuine beauty in her pinky nail than anyone in their whole body!!

[zenfox6]

I love Judy Garland, but this is not my favorite performance. Whether it's the microphone, sound system, her voice, or her delivery, it sounds off compared to her best work, which is truly magical.

[StevesWifeCharlo]

Wow...crazy medley...and not the easiest to sing but she transitions so easily and she is so poised and LOVE this gown. Love the back. Classic 1960's design. She was amazing and still is the best in the business, then and Now!

[dicky85]

Judy was really charming, but where are songs like "Evr'y time we say goodbye", "I've got you under my skin" and "Anything goes"!?...

[tombradley]

She had more talent in her little finger than Lady Gaga has in her little finger.

[m4modern]

Thanks so much for posting. I have read about this for years and heard a bootleg audio recording but never saw the video. Agree with everyone that this was a rare misstep by Edens (who loved and respected both Judy and Cole). Perhaps all involved were just too grieved and anxious to do justice to Porter (and Edens too eager to wow everyone for Judy's sake) to step back and see some of the tempo and segue issues between the song fragments. Still beats ANY vocal performances you will see today

[bradly2007]

@m4modern watch this a few times & becomes clear this is perfection...remember the excitement watching original broadcast & to this day love watching over and over...misstep for one may be a step to the stars for another...Judy more than does justice to Porter giving the performance of a lifetime & this AM watching current Broadway Cast give syrupy & sappy performances of these great songs, ran to youtube for my Porter fix by the true Master...Bravo Judy!

[bradly2007]

Garland is brilliant as she simmers & soars throughout this tremendous medley of Cole Porter classics...soulfully sung with passionate brilliance & timing spot on, Judy is at her best singing a complex medley live at the Oscar ceremony as only she could have done & remember the thrill as a teen watching the iconic legend do her friend Cole Porter proud & this magical & magnificent tour-de-force experience is one to be enjoyed over and over again...Bravo Judy & RIP

[jaytlr9]

I'm amazed though happy to see that so many people seem to have enjoyed this performance. When it first aired in 1965 it was considered by many to be disastrous. This was especially disheartening to Garland fans because she was being seen by so many millions of people.

[less01]

lol so funny she sounds so drunk yet great

[perdizes1954]

Just Wonderful!

[tomorrowsgirl]

judy is not off key. the micraphone is distorting her powerfull delivery.

[dirtyblondny]

don't send me nasty emails. I luv Judy and she looks great , however she is a bit out of tune - but she could still belt like no other

[tomorrowsgirl]

Hope this sorts out some of the controversy.. there is no orchrestra. there is no

audience. it is recorded in a TV studio and wether Judy is singing live or she has

taped it on a different day to the band. we get a discrepancy in sound, which is very

bad anyway. check out " I Love you " a new and great sounding post. Judy Rules.

[sandygrayhkg]

thanks for posting this:);)

[ambertojoe27]

Celine who?

[StefanieLovesJonas]

Judy is a goddess!!! =)

[tyjeffries]

wonderful Judy.. BRAVO! looking so healthy and pretty there too xx

[booboozenkitty]

Judy is the Queen !

[valentinewali]

Wonderfull Miss Judy Garland!! What a charm ! What a talent ! What a voice ! And on the top of it she sings Cole Porter!!!

[broadwayFan28]

Dudes, this is a Cole Porter appreciation - quit drooling over Judy!

On a more serious note, Cole Porter and the few great composers are the backbone to all the musicals whether on stage or screen. A great many artists would never have the opportunity to be discovered without Cole Porter and his pencil.

[broadwayFan28]

Dudes, this is a Cole Porter appreciation - quit drooling over Judy!

[ninskimig123]

@broadwayFan28 who wouldn't be drooling over Judy? She's goArgeous <3

[RaleighChickenMan]

FANTASTIC!! Sounds like a Nelson Riddle arrangement. Anyone know?

[cathymaydo]

Fuckin 'ell - she goes on a bit!! Great, but I'm knackered now!!

[valdengo1]

Judy was the greatest performer in the history of show business....Al Jolson would open for an artistlike her...says Billboard and major music authorities.....

[pudgeuncle]

Judy in her worst health, worst voice and drunk is 99x better than most of the best singers of all-time.

[Kailoa36]

@AlexHeartsPorter You tell 'em, girl!

[alika207]

Oh and one more thing: 3 people can't get past Judy's vibrato or something.

[alika207]

I loved this so much that I just had to like and favorite it on both of my channels! :)

[TheGrigor2000]

Very tough performance. So much within such limited scope. She doesn't appear at complete ease. She appears to want to make sure she hits the right order or songs.

It's still Judy but she is pushing to perform.

[ICNEWS12]

Just splendid.

[bradly2007]

Looking sophisicated and every inch a Superstar, Judy Garland took the Oscar ceremony by storm with her stunning Cole Porter Medley done in a way on live television nobody else could have matched...Cole Porter ballads to the rhythmic cooker "From This Moment On", Garland is superb and remember the excitement watching this incredible performance while in my teens...nobody like Judy! Bravo Judy and you are truly missed...great seeing this again!

[Montavanni1]

@bradly2007 Thank You, bradly . . . could NOT have expressed it better myself. I vividly remember this telecast and completly concur. Hoping this finds you well!

[bradly2007]

@Montavanni1 thanks for the comment...pure excitement as a teen watching this incredibly great performance...nobody like Judy and hope this finds you well...always get a charge watching Judy & still celebrating her BD!!!

[Montavanni1]

@bradly2007 I'm fine, Thank You, Bradly . . . enjoying a rare weekday off and it must be mentioned that I always enjoy your input and description(s) . . . Take care, Paisan and hope you're having a good week!

[skyavalanche]

She's the Top!

[NFitalianGuy]

After she sang she should have took the mic and tell the academy to have a re vote on the 1954 Oscar she shoudl have won. LOL ;-) Imagine Judy telling the Grace Kelly to give it back? ha ha

[mmdillon1]

I never liked Cole Porter's stuff -- there, I've said it. JG gave it life it wouldn't have otherwise had. She really belted the daylights out of some of that crap.

[theblueangel28]

@mmdillon1 never been wild about him either. harold arlen for me, and gershwin

[phlashba]

OMG is it over yet? Endlessly painful. Not Roger Edens' finest effort. They should have given Judy an Oscar just for surviving this swampy medley

[ajdc88]

"Sid LUFT!"

[nandesneto]

but myyyyyy heaaaaaaaaaaaart beloooooooooongs to daddyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

[2Wr0ng]

hahaha mcdona

[lydee09]

This is priceless. Her talent is unreal. Wow to be able to make all of those key changes so effortlessly. She is awesome! Thanks for this post.

[tallpaul521]

At 6:36 Judy slips in the Cole Porter song that Mr. Porter despised.."I Love You..Comes The April Breeze". Notice the grin on Judy's face -- an inside joke.

[grai]

I don't know what all the controversy was about - what star today would be talented enough to stand with a mic and an orchestra and sing live at the Oscars?

Apart from it being an amazing feat of memory the guts it took deserves some kind of Oscar

The audience should have applauded at the start of each classic as she sang it but they didnt and it seemed flat

but if someone was good enough to give this standard of performance at the Oscars today people would be ripping the place up

[Montavanni]

@grai You hit it right on the head, grai . . . could NOT have stated it better myself. (I remember this performance very well and you're very accurate.) . . . Thank You.

[nandesneto]

I wish Judy had recorded a whole Cole Porter album...I would DIE I tell you.

[cpufightclub]

@nandesneto if only you would..

[girllovesmonkees]

Ahh Gene Kelly! :D

Judy Garland did a fantastic job singing this Cole Porter Medley. Great job!

Cole Porter's music is amazing! :) Especially "Day and Night."

[TomCollinsgirl]

I wish i was alive during her time. I am quite young and while most people my age go for Paramore or Justin Beiber, I go for Judy. There was and will never be someone like her. Her feeling behind each word she sang is just lost on a lot of those my age who find kareoke bland singers genious.

[littleurchin28]

@TomCollinsgirl I'm probably a little older than you, but I TOTALLY agree! There's nobody like Judy today. It's all so flimsy and plastic.

[jvbear1]

@TomCollinsgirl I'm the same way..I prefer Her over the likes of Bieber or Kehsa or Gaga ANYDAY!

[billybill56]

She's sounds a little in the bag!

[Hunterunc]

I love her but this is not her finest moment. She seems just a bit off pace for some reason and the vibrato is overpowering her voice. There is a Jim Bailey quality to the whole thing. I think this is one of those performances that, if shown to someone who had no knowledge of her whatsoever, would not be impressive. I'm sure the Judy-can-do-no-wrong club will disagree.

[waif55]

@Hunterunc She's just plain bad, and those who insist, "Judy could never give a bad performance!" do her memory and her great talent a diservice.

[chockfullonuts75]

Whether she was in good voice or not she always gave her all to her audience. I've never seen a singer give so much of themselves. I had read years ago that this was a bad performance. Seeing it now I think it was excellent. Not crazy about the choppy arrangement, but she still does a great job.

[WildWestGuy1]

A classic example of a truly great artiste overcoming mediocre material (not the songs, just the arrangement). She looked wonderful, relaxed and totally in control. Love it!!

[madamerotten]

I have to agree that the arrangement is miserable, and the orchestra weak. I think Garland the best anyone could with these limitations.

[MrArtVandelay]

She blew them away

[damone77]

Rodger Edens put together this fabulous tribute to Cole Porter!  I love it! Ty Ty for the post:)

[dewwydot]

Judy-Judy-Judy where has your voice gone?

[NFitalianGuy]

Judy Is GREAT. Singers sometimes have "off" nights. Judy had a stage presence. She walked on and owned the stage. Taking her audience on a trip that no other singer could do. :-)

[pissedatyou2]

She is so wonderful

[MGMpresentsSEB]

I heard it was the only time Roger Edens let her down... and he did here.... but her talent and gifts are so monumental that she rises above this arrangement... He was(Roger Edens)to die in 1970 - a year after Judy....

[batman4oz]

Chills....I get chills! She was simply amazing...no one could ever touch her talent. Everyone out there who claims to sing wishes they had one-tenth of her ability! McDonna?! Britney?! They couldn't be Judy's used tampons!

^^X^^

[divaqueen]

@batman4oz Lol it's so true!

[NFitalianGuy]

@batman4oz I totally agree! Judy at the 1965 Oscar showed all of Hollywood Elite what a Legend she was and that 10 yrs prior she was the real winner of the Oscar they robbed from her. The public was shocked she lost but she surpassed Grace Kelly inn many ways. Judy was true star.

[Vengeance509]

what the hell is an "earthy bisexual"?

I mean, really. What a load of crap.

[davedave9103]

Am always impressed how Judy closes a song---she was the best!!

[mrspatrickcampbell]

Kelly WAS a fruit.

Our "fruitdar" seldom errs!

[tommary1962]

Contract was over by 66. Check any number of sources including the Schecter book. As to GK, he was well known in Hollywood circles as being an earthy bisexual, which is what partly ruined his first marriage.

[madamerotten]

Humm, I have some very convincing information stating that he was a Martian bisexual.

[peerkbh]

Gene Kelly was not gay. Cole Porter, however, was.

[cglavich]

Let us always remember with respect those great woman who have gone before us whose lives were given to inspire, entertain and teach. Thank-you for posting this for the world to remember.

[chrissen1]

Why was the reaction of the audience so reserved? Were the expecting or even waiting for her to fuck up? Is it possible that all these hollywood moguls and celebrities with "nothing but money" so self absorbed (or too stupid) to recognize the fucking talent they were bareing witness too? Did she still have her contract with Capitol records?

[Saulnierville118]

i agree

[68BarbP]

At that time...people were more reserved in their reactions.

[silentwulfsfan]

Lubv ya xP!

[nandesneto]

no, the contract was over by 65.

[chrissen1]

thanks for the info.

[bradly2007]

@chrissen1 Those arrogant snobs were clearly not reacting to individual songs on purpose & show what fuck-ups they all are...Judy does an extraordinary job with this medley and Cole Porter would have loved it but he would have found the audience of boors disgusting...like Judy not getting her deserved Oscar for "A Star Is Born", these creepy idiots suck...Judy is remarkable and sings with passion & soul and tremendous skill. Bravo Judy!!!

[ferrierepc]

I agree, bad arrangement, but when Garland is singing, it is SHE one is paying attention to, and not the arrangement, plus, with Porter, you really cannot go wrong. Amazes me that 3.5 yrs later, she was dead, which is one of my first memories, being a toddler and seeing in the "NY TIMES" that mom was reading, a pix of Judy as Dorothy, and mom explained what happened, and I recall crying for Dorothy. WeirD memory. THE 1 COMMENT HERE REGARDING GENE KELLY BEING GAY, GET A LIFE, DUDE! HE WAS STR8!

[Charliebear65]

on kelly being gay or not what hell difference does it make stupid?

[NFitalianGuy]

Her Peers? She IS PEERLESS! The consumate entertainer and everyone in that audience wanted her talent . No one was as big a star as Garland she broke box offices and made more History in her performances than anyone in that audience. She needed no dancers of Pyrotechinics or stripper poles to divert the attention . She commanded every stage she was on and even closed the show and left the Beatles standing in the wings once in Europe. They even said "who can top this? close the show!"

[mrspatrickcampbell]

3 weeks after this show we say Judy perform in chicago and she wore the same outfit. It was blue with mink trim. We then saw her backstage(which was actually in the basement) as she walked to the limo.

[mrspatrickcampbell]

Gene Kelly appears to be a homosexual.

Discuss!

[Capricaquarius89]

Who cares!

[gorlia01]

you are so wrong. very straight.

[madamerotten]

And you appear to be a fucking jackass.

[Thunderbird7090]

It's been written often that this, cut down last min in fear of her shaky vocal cond the nerves she suffered anytime performing in unsympathetic Hollywood, explains disjointedness in typical overarranging by Roger Edens of MGM & Music Dir. Johnny Green who loved insane long, complicated arrngmnts causing much chopping & editing of great #s from her MGM films. Look for the 2nd finale of Lily Mars in it's entirety compared to the vers. in film. Edens arranged the interminable Born in a Trunk too

[grai]

I think it was arranged so that the audience were expected to applaude each classic song as she started the opening line but for some reason they didnt and it makes it a little flat but thats not her fault

She delivers though - she was a genius

[grenadian11]

I love it very much, the arrangement is a little different than what we are used to but change is good, say it after me; change is good.

[waynegabi]

I don't know why some say the arrangement is horrible. It gets to my heart! But maybe Judy could sing the phone book and make it exciting. Wayne in Lawndale, CA

[elamantedefuego]

The arrangement is horrible! Poor Porter...

[33meemoo]

the arrangement is bad, but also, she is singing in front of her peers at the Oscars! She was fabulous and as she goes into "So In Love"-she hit it out of the park.

[beeb1421]

she was a giant in the entertainment world!

who do we have nowadays?

thank god for these videos.

[bobbobato]

Her clone & daughter, Liza Minelli! homestly, while watching this video, I often forgot who I was really watching.

[grai]

@bobbobato its easy to tell them apart - Judy was the one with talent

[lonestar1]

no one

[Artwaycon]

SHE IS BRILLIANT-this arrangement was horrible...no artistry at all-EXCEPT FOR HER SINGING!!

[smokelean]

this is much better than i remember when i recorded iy on my reel to reel panasonic tape recoreder. but i was comparing it to before the catastrophic orient trip when she had an emergency tracheotemy

[monroenorma]

A wieldy arrangement, but everything she's got goes into it, and she's got PLENTY!

[cleanears]

THAT voice and THAT stage presence. Unequaled!

[luftloft]

Yes, lots of garbage written about this performance. I heard that she vomited blood on her shoes just before she came out and that the audience was ready for disaster. No way here to see her shoes but her performance is fine; not her loosest or in her best voice but fine. And the arrangement? Who was on drugs?

[Montavanni]

However, I remember this broadcast live vividly that night and a little difficult to tell given the quality of the film here (tho thankful it's here) but she looked close to the best she EVER looked on TV -- the voice was inconsistent, so was the arrangement -- but it WAS magic that night.

[hajune]

I love Judy Garland and I love Cole Porter. Judy's voice became somewhat scrambled as she aged, likely from drugs.

Ihave a hard time watching this. It is much like watching Babe Ruth in his last season. It was not the Babe the fans remembered.They were seeing a memory. Even not at her best Judy was an amazing entertainer . She could do it all and learned rapidly. She was a great story teller ,highly intelligent and had a magic quality about her one was compelled to become part of your being.

[iceprinzecess]

I agree. I also think that hers was one of the voices that though it did age,there is a beauty and slight tradgedy in her voice that makes it all the more better. :)

[WizardOfOzfan94]

i totally agree.

[opelske]

you got my vote. and I loved both the Babe and Judy!

[sglynch]

it really IS an odd and inelegant medley...

her voice is a little shaky, but very powerful. the arrangement does her no favours at all. it slows occassionally to a dreadful pace and i feel no one could save it - perhaps with the exception of miss garland, 'you're the top ' is so slow as to be boring, then a clumsy jump in arrangement and tempo.

however, when miss g gets to 'night and day' her overwhelming talent and passion nails it!!

[lvuback1]

I had always believed from what I read that Garland nearly had a meltdown at this appearance, that she was no longer up to such an extended medley. The disaster here is not Garland, however, it's the damned arrangement. Judy and Cole both got screwed that night.

[opelske]

The orchestra is horrible. But nothing, not even a bad orchestra can ruin Judy's voice, talent and professional dedication.

She's the tops!

[monroenorma]

I totally agree!

[taraniso]

She throws it down on Night and Day. The rest is a little tough to listen to. Not her fault, just an unusual arrangement.

[MerleOberon]

Still, none could deliver like Judy

[divaqueen]

I agree that the arrangement is a little weird in some spots, but I don't think it overpowers the performance. I think Judy sounds and looks fabulous, and I really appreciate this post:-) Thank you!

[waif55]

Obviously healthy, looks good--despite that odd hemline. Not medicated (well, not to the point of noticing it) But there's no control to the voice here. Plenty of power, and...she's Judy and tries to pull out a big finish. And because she tries like hell, she wins you over.

[etienne818]

An arragement of this sort would have done in most other singers - Judy handled it like the true professional she was, and rose to the occasion as she had many times before. The wonderful Garland voice, with its pure and powerful tones, was in full evidence. It's been said that the most difficult audience to perform for is that of one's peers. To futher-up the ante, Judy was also paying tribute to a late friend - in the center of the entertainment universe. The deafening applause says it all!

[Montavanni]

Again, I love this . . . and after all that's said -- still find her magical.

[fordlandau]

the arrangement is quite bizarre with inelegant jumps from song to song..but Garland works the material very very well !

[helenajesstarzak]

Judy is my Idol my Hero.

Im crazy about this woman, she`s da Boom!

Im speachless, her voice is pure magic!

Her songs are all so catchy and I listen to them everyday.

[JimFranzese]

Fantastic! A very Rare Medley, and Judy really nails it despite it's limitations

[JohnnyGNV]

Not crazy about the Medley, but JUDY certainly gave it her all ~ I think her voice is all right here, not at it's peak form but it's still JUDY - and there was only one JUDY GARLAND - it's nice that her old co-star GENE KELLY introduced her.

[paul51]

Don't care for the arrangement or the medley, but Judy gives it her all and comes out a winner!!

[sisalrug]

This isn't my favorite Judy, it's more of a Tide/Lux/Cheers version. But it does sum up Peggy Lee's description when she said "When Judy was at her best she was better than anyone, when she was at her worst, she was like everyone else at their best." That's true. Maybe the whole Academy thing made her pull in her reins. She's not the leave-no-prisoners Judy Garland but she maybe was fearful of being herself at that venue, just then.

[ericlovesjudy]

I always heard and read the same garbage about Judy and this medley. The medley itself is so poorly written and the songs so badly arranged, Judy, yet again, makes magic out of substandard material. This is ten years after she lost the Oscar for Best Actress (A Star Is Born), and had I been Judy and the Academy asked me back to sing, I would have told them to fuck off. Judy appears completely relaxed and in control. Another myth shattered!

[Montavanni]

Exactly . . .

[krscreativeoptns]

I totally agree with ericlovesjudy. I have waited so long to hear this again(43 years) having heard it at the time it was first broadcast as a young teenager. It is not her voice nor her performance it is the arrangements.The myth is shattered for me too.

[Montavanni]

Exactly, krscreativeoptns . . . same here.

[songplugger]

@ericlovesjudy : Funny how different fans see different things. She's very "on-edge" and uncomfortable. She knows very well the arrangements are awful.

[defundthewar]

I've read awful things about this in a few places, that Judy couldn't handle this medley.  But I don't get it... looks and sounds fine to me. The arrangement itself is pretty clumsy- something Porter never was- but Judy is just fine.

[Montavanni]

Exactly! . . . good, historic stuff. Thank You.

[chunkylumps]

Great to see this...I only ever had a recording of it...Judy looks very relaxed here and seems on really top form...A Tour de Force...Fabulous and Thank you.