Riding on the crest of a triumphant engagement at the

Over the next five years, Liza was subject to a scene of disarray. Judy's divorce to Vincente, Judy's fights with new partner Sid Luft, and Judy's suicide threats made for a ‘theatre of the absurd'. In between time, some of Judy's best work was done including 2 albums for Capital, 2 related television specials, and an acadamy award nominated performance on film.

Judy began featuring her children in her act throughout 1956/1957 - bringing them on and singing to Joey and Lorna, Liza would follow to dance. "I danced my heart out - we tore the house down" Liza recalled. Before returning to London, Judy recorded the beautiful and haunting albumn "Alone". In December 1957, after successful engagements at the Dominion Theatre and Royal Variety Show in London, Judy returned to the States to appear at the Flamingo in Las Vagas . Here, she called upon Liza to sing a number of her songs to enable her to take a breather. The family continued to feature in her shows through 1958 and Judy managed to find time to record another splendid album for Capitol Records - "Judy In Love".

In 1959 Liza was invited to star on Gene Kelly's television special to dance and to duet "For Me & My Gal". Comparisons in the late 1950's and early 1960's with Judy were inevitable for Liza, especially in view of the material she used e.g. Liza sang "Over The Rainbow" on the Hedda Hoppa Show.

Judy decided that it would be beneficial for Liza to experience life outside show business, so in June 1960 arranged for Liza to attend School in France. In July, Judy moved to London - her favourite city and refuge. Liza left France to spend a very happy Autumn with Judy and resumed her schooling in London. However, before she could be accepted she had to attend "Miss Dickson's and Miss Wolf's school for young ladies".

In excellent health and spirits Judy resumed her concert career with a one woman 2 hour show musically arranged by Mort Lindsay. The legendary tour started at The London Palladium, and culminated at Carnegie Hall. Prior to the live concerts, in August 1960 the same songs were studio recorded at St John's Wood, London. Unfortunately even though Judy was at her best, the recordings (to become the albumn "Judy In London") were not released until many years later. The 1st Performance at Carnegie Hall, however, was promptly released and became a best seller.

Before they left the UK Judy brought Liza out to sing at an appearance in Manchester. When questioned about performing in public, after the show, Liza told the Daily Express that she would like to go on to the musical stage as a dancer. In July 1961 Liza got the opportunity, dancing in the chorus of "Wish You Were Here".

Back at school Liza joined the drama club and was given the lead in "The Diary Of Anne Frank". Judy cried all through Liza's touching performance.

Liza was aware of the similarities between her own and her mother's voice but worked hard at practising proper breathing techniques and making her voice her own. That said, the similarities may well have been helpful to Liza, as in 1962 as she was offered the role of Dorothy in the musical animation "Return To Oz". Unfortunately the film was shelved until the early 1970's.

By now, Judy's marriage with Sid was over and took the children to London to shoot her last film "I Could Go On Singing". Whilst living in London, in 1962 Liza befriended Judy's co-star Greg Phillips.

When production and shooting finished, Judy and the children returned to New York. Liza told her Father and decided to tell her Mother that she wanted to go into Show Business. Judy was supportive, offering acting & singing advice but made it clear that Liza was going to have to do this alone without financial assistance.

Liza was faced with the ‘Judy Garland's daughter' syndrome. Aware of this, and so not to detract publicity from Liza's 'off Broadway' debut, Judy stayed away from the opening of her performance in "Best Foot Forward". BFF received excellent reviews, and much praise for Liza.

During the latter part of 1963 and early 1964 Judy worked on her weely television show, in Hollywood. She asked Liza to leave BFF and come to Hollywood to appear as a special guest. The show gave Liza the chance to perform and demonstrate her talent to the millions watching. After it aired, Liza was offered a lead in the stage show "Carnival". She also made a dramatic TV appearance in "Mr Broadway" and recorded her first album for Capital Records. Judy's TV series ended after 26 shows. Judy started a tour of Australia and Hong Kong in the Spring of 1964.

Whilst Judy was away, Liza continued to work on her voice and was well on the way to establishing a name for herself. On return from Hong Kong Judy was at a very low ebb, taking excessive quantities of medication. Judy needed to work to pay off her debts, but wasn't in any shape to carry a 2 hour show. In the fall of 1964, Judy called Liza with the idea of ‘Judy and Liza at the London Palladium'. Liza is said to have refused on the basis that it was expecting too much of her. However, Judy called the press and announced the concert and Liza did go.

Again Judy set up home in London and was seen out enjoying the sites and night spots. She was now accompanied by Mark Heron and Peter Allen.

The rehearsals for the show on 8th November 1964 went well, Judy's voice was holding and both Judy and Liza got through with little problem. Ticket sales boomed - Judy and Liza were signed for a special extra night a week later. Unfortunately, Judy was prone to throat infections and was not in the best of health. Despite this Judy and Liza gave the show their all. Something happened on the stage that night. Out stepped Liza the Woman, the singer, actress, and dancer. She was dealing with the force that was Judy Garland and holding her own. The audience went crazy... Mother and Daughter were a big hit. Judy's wit, humour and affection more than compensated for any visible tiredness. Judy and Liza not only got through but yet again won terrific applause and respect from the audience. A significantly abridged version of the concert was released on an EP and LP from EMI in 1965. The second show was broadcast on Television. Due to technical conditions the telecast recording was poor. The BFI holds an archival print of the event which whilst watchable is badly rendered. Video copies have been released on PAL and NTSC offering very little of the atmosphere and magic of the actual occasion.

In the next part of Judy and Liza I will examine the two 'Live at the London Palladium' concerts (1964) in more in depth.