Judy Garland At The London Palladium








The London Palladium is one of Londons most resplendent and intimate of theatres. The Front entrance (originally Argyll House) dates back to the 18th century but didn't become a Variety Theatre until 1909. There are no pillars inside the auditorium which tilts towards the stage so that every person feels close to the performers. The luxurious decort and intimate ambience, create a truly electric atmosphere for the entertainer and their audience. The Palladium was the perfect showcase for Judy's sensitive bubbly personality, musical talent, and boundless energy.













April 9 1951 for 4 weeks.

Whilst no newcomer, it had been a number of years since Judy had been in a variety show (vaudeville). On The bill with Judy were Max Bygraves, Bedini Troupe, Frances Duncan, and The Debonaires.Judy is pictured here back-stage for her 1st Night in 1951.
After the overture, Judy swept onto the stage. Full of nervous energy, Judy twirled round, slipped and fell over, falling onto her bottom. In subsequent performances Judy was confident and strode on. She opened with "Here I Am",followed by songs Judy had sang in her films, and a couple of "new" songs: "Love Is Sweeping The Country" and "Limehouse Blues".A tremendous success Judy thrilled the packed house, time after time to wild applause.








July 20th 1951



The Sid Field Benefit show.


Judy performed in a line up of many celebreties in this tribute to the late and great veteran English film actor.







November 18th 1957



The Royal Variety Show.




In the presence of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and The Duke Of Edinburgh Judy sung "Rockabye Your Baby".


The programme

The Kaye Sisters, Max Bygraves, The George Carden Dancers and George Mitchell Singers, Bob Monkhouse, The Goofers, Limmy Logan,Harry Secombe with the Morrison Orpheus Choir, The Crazy Gang, Leo De Lyon, Gracie Fields, Dickie Henderson, Count Basie and his Orchestra, Ralph Reader and his Gang Show, Max Bygraves with Joan Regan and The Kay Sisters, Judy Garland with Jimmy BrooksBud Flanagan, Bed Lyon, Jerry Desmonde, Alfred Marks, Brian Reece, Mario Lanza, Variety Minstrels, Ragtime Octette (Ronnie Hilton, Dicke Valentine, Malcolm Vaughn, Teddy Johnson, Dennis Lotis, Frankie Vaughn, David Whitfield and Herschel Henlere. A Revue with Arthur Askey and Vera Lyn, a Ballet with Markova, Alma Cogan'Dance' with The John Tiller Girls, 'Magic' with Tommy Cooper, 'Records' with Winifred Atwell, and 'Skiffle with Tommy Steel and his Steelmen.
After the show the Queen said to Judy "We missed you. Don't stay away so long next time."





An Evening With Judy Garland
Sunday August 28, and September 4, 1960






On stage at The London Palladium, 1960, with Dirk Bogarde.

This was Judy's first solo concert. Unfortunately, she was recovering from Hepatitis, and was somewhat bloated in appearance. However, her voice was rested, and in excellent form. Judy was idolised by her English fans, and they packed the Palladium. Anticipation was at fever pitch as her specially orchestrated overturestruck up. 2 hours of Garland magic precipitated an ecstatic response from the audience. A superb selection of standards, Garland film songs, and jazz. The format had been recorded at EMI studio a few days earlier, but was switched around and moulded as the mood took Judy at the concert. The show was taken on tour culminating at Carnegie Hall.


December 1st 1960

Judy appeared but did not perform at the St Johns Ambulance benefit.













July - August 1962






Judy filmed the overture, introduction to "Hello Bluebird" and the whole of the title song of the film "I Could Go On Siging" before a live audience at the London Palladium.Judy is pictured here waiting in the wings during the overture before walking out to sing "Hello Bluebird".









Sunday Night at the Palladium March 10, 1963


Judy came on stage to a tumultuous welcome, opening with "This Cant't Be Love / Almost Like Being In Love", a little nervous, but sparkling. The next song "Smile" was sung in a breathy deep tone, to most touching effect. A false start into "Comes Once In A Lifetime" was quickly recovered by Judy's professional handling of the situation. Judy turned the whole thing into a big joke. Then the finale. A speedy gusto performance of the theme song from "I Could Go On Singing". Whipping the microphone cable, and curling her lips like never before! A truly stunning performance. Reviews of the show were good, two typical comments ... " In a world where nostalgia is all too facile a quality, Judy Garland gives it a disturbing power", "How this woman genuinly loves her audience". The show was broadcast live on British TV and extracts broadcast later on "The Ed Sullivan Show" in the USA.














July 23 1964

A Night of 100 Stars,
The Beatles and Shirley Bassey were the offical headliners of the show. After the interval, tables and chairs were put on stage, and many of the stars present were announced to sit on the stage to watch the show. Judy received an ecstatic response when her name was announced. However, Judy was not on the bill to perform. Shirley devoted "If Love Were All" to Judy, went to her table and embraced her, and then completed her act with "No Regrets". When Richard Attenborough came on to close the show, he was drowned out by the audience calling for Judy. Judy took centre stage and said "It's nice to be home again. All right, what do you want to hear?." Judy sang "Over The Rainbow" and "Swanee" and stole the show.








Judy and Liza at the Palladium, November 8 & 16 1964




ATV taped the full show and planned to broadcast two one hour programmes (edited from 165 minutes), but unfortunately cut it to one 50 minute airing. EMI / Capitol records later released a double LP with a fuller and better selection of the songs.

Judy and Liza rehearse for concert ( at EMI studio).




Despite being ill, recovering from her earlier near death in Hong Kong, Judy was in good voice for most of the concert. Unfortunately, towards the end, Judy's energy wained and her voice gave out. Judy and Liza received a very warm response from the audience. Songs comprised show tunes, standards, and some new material. Included in the concert but missing from both the LP and telecast are "Don't Rain On My Parade", and "I'm All I've Got" .The show was attended by many members of the Judy Garland Club, who recall an exciting, exhausting and magical show. The material chosen for telecast was poorly thought out and mixed. Little atmosphere was captured. Interestingly, "Rainbow Review" reported that in response to letters received after the original broadcast, ATV issued a statement to the effect that they planned to screen more of the Judy and Liza concert at some future date. However, no extra material has surfaced to date.






Sunday Night at the London Palladium January 19, 1969



This last performance on the Palladium stage was broadcast live. Judy came on following a full overture. Gaunt but beautiful, voice a little slurred, a true professional, Judy sang from the heart, and clowned making light of some glitches.In her opening song "For Once in My Life" she missed some words, cracked a couple of times and was a little off key. "Get Happy" was performed well and without a hitch. "I Belong to London", though not as effective on TV was performed with spirit, ghusto and great charm. Despite a good performance reviews of Judy's appearance concerned forgetting the "For Once In My Life" lyric.

Between February and June 1969 Judy's health rappidly declined. Her body became so emaciated (perhaps anorexic) that with the regular excessive quantities of medication it was only a matter of time. On the morning of June 22nd 1969 Judy was found dead in the bathroom of her home at 4 Cadogan Lane, Chealsea, London.


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