With an Oscar about to be on her mantle, Liza Minnelli was everywhere in the early to mid 70's, and this triumphant TV special (edited from her Broadway musical revue) gives a glimpse into the life of a performer that is indeed magical. Nearly fifty years have gone by ever since Liza reminded us that she's not Lisa, and if she had quit show business after this and her Oscar winning performance in "Cabaret", her legacy would have been set in stone. Forget the gossip about her future problems. Here, as she tells is, she has a problem, but it isn't a major one, and with brilliantly clever lyrics by Fred Ebb, Liza explains as to the issues with her name.
Paying tribute to her pals Fred Kander and John Ebb, Liza opens the show with the song "Say Yes" from their recent flop Broadway musical "70 Girl 70". She then gets nostalgic and shows some serious acting prowess in her next number, "It was a good time" (recently heard in the movie "Ryan's Daughter"), a show-stopper if there ever was one. In fact, there are several show stopping moments in this, so the short length of the special isn't one to disappoint because it is all so magical. Those who saw "The Boy From Oz" on Broadway will see instantly Stephanie J. Block's big Liza moment ("She Loves to Hear the Music") with both "Ring Them Bells" and "Bye Bye Blackbird". With "Cabaret" still a triumph in movie theaters when this came out, the hour long special ends with Liza doing a "Cabaret" medley, including one song ("Married") cut out of the film, and getting to do Joel Grey's big opening number ("Wilkomen") as well.
What is truly magical about Liza's presence here is her uniqueness as a performer. Like mother Judy Garland, she had great respect for her audience, and never gives the impression that she was simply "phoning it in". Liza laughs, clowns, emotes dramatically, and even if she's avante garde in many ways, she draws you in with her passion and drive and energy and verve and compassion. There's a reason why some performers make you want to psychologically hug them, because all your problems seem silly and solvable when you hear that big voice making it seem as if she is singing just for you. Few performers have that ability, and I'm sure that of her many longtime family friends, there were few without at least a tear or two. This gets a huge standing ovation at the end, and I find it tempting even by watching this on video to stand at the end as well.
Paying tribute to her pals Fred Kander and John Ebb, Liza opens the show with the song "Say Yes" from their recent flop Broadway musical "70 Girl 70". She then gets nostalgic and shows some serious acting prowess in her next number, "It was a good time" (recently heard in the movie "Ryan's Daughter"), a show-stopper if there ever was one. In fact, there are several show stopping moments in this, so the short length of the special isn't one to disappoint because it is all so magical. Those who saw "The Boy From Oz" on Broadway will see instantly Stephanie J. Block's big Liza moment ("She Loves to Hear the Music") with both "Ring Them Bells" and "Bye Bye Blackbird". With "Cabaret" still a triumph in movie theaters when this came out, the hour long special ends with Liza doing a "Cabaret" medley, including one song ("Married") cut out of the film, and getting to do Joel Grey's big opening number ("Wilkomen") as well.
What is truly magical about Liza's presence here is her uniqueness as a performer. Like mother Judy Garland, she had great respect for her audience, and never gives the impression that she was simply "phoning it in". Liza laughs, clowns, emotes dramatically, and even if she's avante garde in many ways, she draws you in with her passion and drive and energy and verve and compassion. There's a reason why some performers make you want to psychologically hug them, because all your problems seem silly and solvable when you hear that big voice making it seem as if she is singing just for you. Few performers have that ability, and I'm sure that of her many longtime family friends, there were few without at least a tear or two. This gets a huge standing ovation at the end, and I find it tempting even by watching this on video to stand at the end as well.