User Reviews

The infrequent interruptions of Jerry Van Dyke and Soupy Sales can't darken the magic of Judy Garland and Liza Minnelli in the first of two appearances that Liza made on mom's show, the other one just a few weeks after this for Christmas with siblings Lorna and Joey. There are a few awkward pauses between them as if they were insecure about letting go completely, but when Liza pulls the shorter Judy onto her lap, they begin to lighten up and relax, even if the script wasn't top notch.

The Castro Brothers (singing "You Make Me Feel So Young") add a Spanish rhythm to the episode to give the audience a chance to forget about the unfunny Jerry and Soupy exchanges and for Liza and Judy to catch their breath. Much of what they would do was repeated when they performed at the Palladium in London, and they sing and dance with such joy and energy.

Liza gets a few awkward moments with Jerry that has her seemingly rolling her eyes inside. But between her version of "Put on a Happy Face" and the duet with Judy of "Together Wherever We Go", it's still an hour of near excellence. Fortunately the Palladium concert is available for those who want to avoid the annoying comedy bits, especially Jerry's Lone Ranger skit.

*Spoiler/plot- 1963, A holiday TV show featuring dozens of seasonal favorite and great tunes and a spirited dance numbers with oversize energetic dancing 'Santas' that ends in Garland singing her signature song, "Over the Rainbow".

*Special Stars- Judy Garland, Liza Minelli, Mel Torme, Jack Jones, and Lorna and Joe Luft.

*Theme- Stars, their families and friends are just plain folks for the holiday season, too.

*Based on- 60's holiday TV specials

*Trivia/location/goofs- Black and white CBS TV show airing circa Dec 22, 1963. There is some outtakes in the DVD version. Shot at CBS, California. Some crane microphone shadows are shown in the camera tracking shots from one home's room to another.

*Emotion- This was an interesting study in several well know performer's work after knowing their many life problems and addictions came out. A somewhat pedestrian TV holiday show featuring a Ms. Garland and her kids seemingly over performing to the TV cameras in an over opulent TV built set home. This show came off somewhat artificial and raucously overly staged for TV. It was not homely and honest, which maybe was the purpose of those holiday shows during that 60's period. This show was hard to watch a stage mother(Garland) already pushing even her smallest son into taking the stage and 'belting out' a song with his meager personal talents on unsure display to millions of viewers. It is a lesson to many.