All Singin’, All Dancin’, All Judy: A Cinematic Celebration of Judy Garland – Easter Parade

Curated by Richard Pena, Programming Director, Film Society of Lincoln Center. The Film Society of Lincoln Center joins forces with Guild Hall to present screenings of several of Judy Garland’s best-loved films. “Easter Parade firmly establishes Judy as the screen’s first lady of tempo and tunes,” wrote The Hollywood Reporter Irving Berlin sold the property to MGM for the chance to work with Judy Garland. Fred Astaire came out of retirement (after Gene Kelly broke his ankle) to partner with her. And Charles Walters moved into the first rank of directors while overseeing this performance by his Girl Crazy and Lily Mars dancing partner. The film’s 17 numbers lift it into the “classic” stratum. Garland offers a couple of remarkable ballads–and Berlin himself said, “No one has ever sung my songs better than Judy Garland.” Astaire has two show-stoppers, Ann Miller has one, and they share a third. But Judy and Fred prove to be the dream team as they deliver a vaudeville mélange, the hobo-garbed “A Couple of Swells,” and the title song. Talkback to follow with Richard Peña, Scott Foundas and other critics and connoisseurs of Judy Garland.