From Errol Flynn to Greta Garbo, Warner Archive has been putting to wonderful star-based collection of the great actors from yesteryear. The latest star to receive the honor is Judy Garland. It includes six of the prolific actress’ films, including the fantastic 1954 rendition of A Star Is Born.
“It’s Judy! A collection of 6 of her great classic musicals: Strike Up the Band, Girl Crazy, Meet Me in St. Louis, In the Good Old Summertime, Summer Stock, and A Star Is Born,” says the official description.
The earliest movie in the collection is 1940’s Strike Up the Band, which is a fun musical that teams Garland with Mickey Rooney. That duo also stars in 1943’s Girl Crazy, which was the last of their eight collaborations. Meanwhile 1944’s Meet Me in St. Louis is the first color film of the collection and is an underrated Christmas movie that doesn’t get enough play nowadays.
The last three films are all musicals, although A Star Is Born is much more dramatic than the others. 1949’s In the Good Old Summertimes features Buster Keaton and is a fun musical rom-com, while 1950’s Summer Stock with Gene Kelly is more famous for Garland’s behind-the-scene issues rather than the film itself. All six films look and sound great, although A Star Is Born is an older transfer than the others and features a few soft-looking scenes.
Each of the six films has a bunch of special features. From introductions by Mickey Rooney and Liza Minnelli to commentary tracks by historian John Fricke, there’s a lot to further your appreciation of the films. Throw in some solid featurettes, TV specials, and even the pilot of a Meet Me in St. Louis television show that never made it to air, and there’s some great deep cuts spread across the six discs.
Warner Archive’s Judy Garland Collection is yet another great actor-based set. Each film is worth watching, with A Star Is Born and Meet Me in St. Louis being particular favorites. You get to see plenty of Garland’s range and it’s a great way to see how she was truly one of one.
Disclosure: News received product from the distributor for our Judy Garland Collection Blu-ray review.
