Here is the pre-recording track for the Porgy and Bess 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.
A duet, singing with Judy is Vic Damone. The songs featured are "Oh, Where's My Bess?," "Summertime," "It Ain't Necessarily So," "There's a Boat Dat's Leavin' Soon for New York," and "Bess, You Is My Woman Now."
Premiering in 1935, the score to Porgy and Bess features music by George Gershwin and lyrics by DuBose Heyward and Ira Gershwin
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 and many other rare recordings (both exclusive and sourced from various other Judy Garland fan groups), visit thejudyroom.com
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