Groovy Friday – Friends of Judy

It’s Friday!

There’s nothing particularly groovy about Judy Garland, unless perhaps you were to watch “The Wizard of Oz” on LSD.

Not that I’ve done that. I’m just guessing.

This week I present three clips from Judy’s brief foray into series television, the aptly titled “The Judy Garland Show.” Taken alone, none of them quite live up to a stand-alone Groovy Friday post, but together they cover all the bases.

Judy’s show had a tortured history with many producer and format changes. I won’t go into the details. They’ve been well-chronicled elsewhere. Going up against “Bonanza,” the fourth most popular show on television, didn’t help. The show debuted in September 1963 and was cancelled after one season.

Our first clip has the requisite groovy dancing, but we know nothing about who the dancers are. Judy’s stock dance company, I suppose. That’s Judy, of course, along with Peter Lawford and Martha Raye playing the addled oldsters, confused by today’s youth and their crazy dances.

Next up it’s Groovy Friday alumnus Chita Rivera. She’s great as usual, but I wish there were more of her with her back-up dancers.

Finally it’s Mel Tormé performing his 1962 hit “Comin’ Home Baby” (#36 on Billboard’s pop chart.) Not much dancing at all here, but we’re dealing with a severely groovy song dressed-up with aloof models in outrageous outfits draped across motorcycles. Oh yeah! Along with the first two clips, I think we’ve met this week’s g-quotient.

Have a groovy weekend!

André Dupuy
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