Here is the pre-recording track for the holiday medley from episode twelve of "The Judy Garland Show," filmed on November 1, 1963. The footage from the final episode has been synced up to the recording.
Featuring episode guests Vic Damone and Zina Bethune, the three perform a medley intended to fit any possible airdate due to the unpredictability of the pre-recorded show's final broadcast date. (Ironically, the episode would air two days after filming.)
Though featuring primarily live vocals from Garland and her guests, for many numbers that featured a large ensemble, major choreography, and / or large set-piece changes, a pre-recorded track was used. (A tradition of television, this technique was also used for events such as the Tony Awards up until the 80s and continues to this day.)
Restored by The Judy Garland Experience founder Buzz Stephens, this track comes from a damaged reel-to-reel recording donated to the group by Steve Sanders. The tape was given to Sanders by Garland''s hairdresser Orval Paine, who Garland gave the tape to after the show ended. (She kept the tape, and a small player, in her dressing room so she could practice her lipsync.)
For this video, this recording was sourced from The Judy Room, a Judy Garland fansite. For more information on Garland, along with news any other rare recordings (both exclusive and from various other fan groups), visit thejudyroom.com
TAGS: #JudyGarland #TheJudyGarlandShow #varietyshow #classictv #classictelevision