Rainbow (1978 TV Movie) User Reviews

A showcase for McArdle's talents, but little else

[jayunderscorezero · 5/10 · 5 November 2008]

Really very thin on plot, dealing as it does with a relatively short period in Judy Garland's life (and how much plot can one extract from "stage performer becomes film performer"?), and really just a showcase for a series of singing performances from Ms McArdle. Still, McArdle is definitely noteworthy, and this is ultimately not bad TV biopic fare.

When some actual plot does occasionally rear its head, it all seems to be handled in a fairly shallow way, without any real delving into the stories big emotional mines, such as Garland's relationship with her parents, reaction to her father's death and her treatment - and medication - by the studios.

Judy Garland/Wizard of Oz trivia: Piper Laurie, who plays Judy Garland's mother in this film, would go on to play Auntie Em, Dorothy Gale's mother-figure in Return to Oz.

An alternate universe version of the Frances/Judy story.

[mark.waltz · 5/10 · 21 July 2022]

Fresh from "Annie" on Broadway, young Andrea McCardle was being groomed for stardom, so it's obvious that she'd jump at the chance to play the greatest entertainer of the 20th Century. But in no way, in spite of her own talents, is Andrea McCardle anywhere close to Judy Garland (or her off screen identity of Frances Gumm), and when you compare this to Tammy Blanchard (another future Broadway baby) in "Me and My Shadows: Life With Judy Garland"), you'll really see the difference. McCardle might have been right as Shirley Temple a few years ago, but only in some other universe could she be anywhere near "the baby Nora Bayes" as one observer proclaimed.

As a movie, "Rainbow" is not bad, the jarring be casting aside. So what you're not able to get from McCardle, you get from the supporting cast, especially Piper Laurie as Ethel Gumm and Martin Balsam as Louis B. Mayer, with Rue McClanahan amusing as Mayer's secretary, Ida Koverman. This covers the years between 1935 and 1938 (when production on "The Wizard of Oz" started), and the period details are on point. Don Murray is a touching Frank Gumm, dealing with "a secret" the audience knows through the bluntness of Ethel's screaming. They did a good job in recreating the MGM backlot, with a decent Mickey Rooney impersonator who may not be a complete look alike but didn't annoy me as much as the one in the 2002 TV movie or often the real deal.

This is poignant in many ways, but Garland's singing voice was so unique that you have to have someone very close to that to appease for many fans, even today during her centennial. That's why the later TV movie was wise and having Tammy Blanchard and later Judy Davis lip syncing to Garland tracks. For me, the real powerhouse here is Laurie who gets to show Ethel's vulnerability that wasn't as detailed for the equally good Marsha Mason in 2002. Coming out at the time when there were a lot of TV movie and big screen bios of the most beloved stars of the golden age, this isn't the fiasco of many of them, but lacks the magic of the real deal. Judy's old pal, Jackie Cooper, gave it a good go as the director, but his involvement only accentuates the faults of this film.

Andrea McArdle sings the classics!

[moviewatcher2010 · 15 April 2001]

The thing I enjoy most about this movie is Andrea McArdle's singing, which is probably why she got the part as Judy Garland. On the whole, the movie was very informative about how Judy Garland got her start in show business, but even her beginning was sad.

Love it after all these years

[Baybreeze · 10/10 · 12 January 2015]

It's been a long time since I saw this when it originally aired, and was able to see it a few more times when it was replayed and I recorded it. But I still remember how much I love it. Being a big Judy Garland fan was a start, but I love Andrea McArdle in the role. Her renditions of the Judy Garland songs are very enjoyable.

I think Ms. McArdle portrays the sad childhood fairly well that is well known about Judy Garland's life. We see how she gets her original start of both the bad and good.

What makes this a little unique is that this is just about the early part of her life. But with someone so well known, we know the rest and you don't feel a sense of being left without an appropriate ending.

A few years ago I had the opportunity to meet Andrea McArdle at a CD signing. I told her how much I loved this movie, as silly as that sounded from all her work. She said it was funny because she had heard that from other fans too. For whatever reason, this TV movie made an impression.

I just wish I could get this on DVD. I'll keep waiting patiently.

That Judy! She was always chasing rainbows...

[moonspinner55 · 4/10 · 4 May 2009]

Fan-magazine equivalent of a biography, in this case a television-budget glimpse into the early life of actress and vocalist Judy Garland (née Frances Gumm). Director Jackie Cooper, who reminds us he befriended the real Judy during their years together at M-G-M, lays the pathos at our feet right from the start, with Broadway's Andrea McArdle belting out a lonesome "I'm Always Chasing Rainbows", followed by a reprise of the song fifteen minutes later! Cooper, and writer John McGreevey (working from a sub-standard book by Christopher Finch), perhaps were hoping to show us Judy's natural pluck and verve despite upheavals in the Gumm household--but, if so, somebody forgot to tell young McArdle. With her hangdog face, crooked mouth and watery eyes, she's about as far from plucky as a Garland substitute can be. Obviously chosen for the part due to her stage pipes as the original "Annie", McArdle has apparently studied Judy Garland but doesn't attempt an imitation (perhaps unwisely, considering the results we do get); with a trained voice so one-dimensional it is practically soulless, McArdle seems zombie-fied, metallic. Cooper stages innumerable scenes around the piano with McArdle in song--always surrounded by adults nodding to each other, pretending to find her adorable--but never gets at what was so unique about Judy Garland. She appears to us to be just another kid songbird. The Hollywood studio sequences are also underwhelming, with key details and conversations coming off as suspect (made worse by repetitive moments, poor editing and mediocre acting). One can only scoff at what amounts to be a woe-is-me look at a poor little rich girl, one who finds herself wondering aloud, "When will I be in the right place at the right time?" as she walks the lot of the biggest movie studio in the world.

Wonderful Film

[coloradokid719 · 10/10 · 6 May 2009]

I saw this back in '78, and parts of the dialogue and music have stuck with me for the past 21 years. In fact, I had just quoted one of the songs at work the night before I discovered that this was running on my local cable "on demand" for free! The cast is excellent, and Andrea McArdle's voice is amazing.

Perhaps a few of the performances were a little "stiff" or "wooden," but I think that speaks more to the direction of the film, and the fact that people back in those days WERE more stiff and wooden (read: "proper") than they are now.

It doesn't have the production quality of a theatrical release, but keep in mind, this was a made-for-TV movie. I thought the entire production was brilliant, and am so happy to have been able to see it again after all these years!

Just a vehicle for Andrea McCardle

[HotToastyRag · 3/10 · 13 September 2022]

If you're a fan of Andrea McCardle, you'll want to check out Rainbow, a Judy Garland biopic from 1978. If you're not, you'll hate this tv flick so you might as well skip it. Andrea looks, sounds, and acts nothing like Miss Garland, and the whole movie is basically a vehicle to show off her belting singing voice. She sings and sings and sings, with very little plot in between songs. And since she looks, sounds, and acts nothing like the woman she was cast to impersonate, it gets old fast.

Within the very thin plot, it implies that Frances Gumm's father (played by Don Murray) was a closeted homosexual, and her frustrated mother (played by Piper Laurie) had an affair with her friend, a married man with an invalid wife. It never explains why the vaudeville act went from The Gumm Sisters to just Judy Garland, and it stops after the filming of The Wizard of Oz. Piper's character sort of fades into the scenery once they reach Hollywood, and Judy's very close relationship with an MGM composer, played by Michael Parks, isn't really explained. There's one point in the movie where Michael advises her to tone down her wild gestures she makes while she's singing, but it's more amusing than truthful. The real Judy Garland did have spastic mannerisms, but Andrea stands with her arms plastered to her sides and an extremely bored expression on her face. For the third time in his career, Martin Balsam plays Louis B. Mayer, and while he is portrayed as a stern studio mogul, he's not as cruel or domineering as he is depicted in other movies. All in all, it's just one giant songfest from Andrea, with very little resemblance to the real Judy Garland. Although, I have to admit it's very cute Jackie Cooper directed the picture.

Andrea McArdle will WOW you!!!

[padutchland-1 · 22 May 2006]

I was very fortunate to find a VHS tape of this movie and have watched it many times since. One never tires of seeing and hearing it. It's one of those videos you hang onto like a treasure. You do not even have to like musicals to love this musical drama. Some might say McArdle was deadpan or the like but I see her performance as a reflection of a person living an unhappy childhood (Garland). And that's how a person feels. I consider it one of the better movies I have seen. One cannot praise Andrea McArdle enough, not only for her knock out vocals but as a superb actress as well. In fact, the whole film is loaded with talented people. Never during the whole movie does one stop and think of acting ability. When the acting is great, as in this one, you forget that these are people acting out parts. It was that good. The famous Jackie Cooper also deserves a huge pat on the back as the Director. Why this movie was not promoted into top billing and put on DVD, I have no idea. It certainly runs circles around many movies pushed as the greatest. I hope that it will end up on DVD to help preserve it. This is the story of Judy Garland's early life, as she struggled into stardom. It helps us understand how she became addicted to drugs because the studio wanted her thinner. She took pills for energy, then pills to go to sleep and on it went. What a shame, she died too young. She was unhappy many times in her life. But so are many other people. I was wondering to myself – why is it that we feel such compassion for the problems of a movie star, when ordinary people may go through even worse lives? There is only one answer – they live public lives. We see them on the screen and we think we know them (which we don't), are a part of their lives. This movie will certainly make you feel that for Judy Garland. Judy complained to her mentor Roger Edens, that there was no use in trying. She didn't feel thin enough nor good looking enough to make it. Roger told her that he always thought she was pretty and that she had something more than the beautiful actresses, she had a voice. Yet she did make it big, but it was also her undoing in the end. Andrea has that great voice. In addition, her acting ability will make you believe every scene is for real. With a voice like that, there is no reason she could not have made it big in the movies, perhaps she didn't know the right people. However, perhaps she is lucky that she did not, because she is probably a lot happier than Judy ever was as a super star. Andrea starred on Broadway as "Annie". McArdle was nominated for a 1977 Tony Award for that part. Nothing against other singers, it is just very tough to better the voice of Andrea McArdle. When Judy's father (Don Murray) was dying in the hospital, listening to Judy (Andrea) on the radio, sing their favorite song (I'll Get By), you would have to be a made of stone not to feel it. McArdle sang a number of songs in this movie and everyone was a keeper. Forgive me if I don't get the titles exactly right, but she sang You Made Me Love You in Dear Mr. Gable, Somewhere Over The Rainbow at the end of the movie, Zing Went the Strings of My Heart, Stormy Weather, Dinah and probably more. In a couple of scenes it was mentioned that she sang in B flat and I wondered if that was the same key for both Judy and Andrea. As I said earlier, there are many talented people in this wonderful film. Michael Parks played Roger Edens in his usual low-key method. I first noticed him in a TV show from 1969 titled Then Came Bronson where he travels around the country by motorcycle seeking the meaning of life. He reminded me of the new James Dean. He has done a wealth of work over the years. Rue McClanahan played her part to a T and I am not a Rue fan, or maybe it is the parts she plays. Nice job Rue. Donna Pescow played Judy's sister Jinnie. My hat's off to anyone who will gain 40 pounds for a part as she did in Saturday Night Fever – crazy, but dedicated. It is hoped good things will continue for her. Martin Balsam was Louie B. Mayer in this movie and he certainly was believable. A great actor who is missed. It is said he was a bit annoyed when fans only seemed to remember him falling down the stairs in Psycho when he had done so many other works. Piper Laurie was Judy's mother and her portrayal was a difficult one to pull off. In a kind of contradiction, she was both one of those mothers who push their kids into show business and yet she displayed a real concern for the welfare of her daughter. Piper ably wove both types into the personality of the character. Others also contributed to make this a wonderful movie. It is well worth the time you spend to view it – no doubt about it – absolutely! Experience this movie if you get the opportunity.

Little Girl - BIG Voice

[tasha-52 · 9/10 · 17 August 2005]

Of course, in a made for TV movie, you aren't looking for the professionalism of the genre, but rather at the entertainment value. Well, this is one movie that delivers the entertainment by way of Andrea McArdle. She is a powerhouse and made such an impression on me with her voice as a young girl that I can still recall the lyrics to all of the Judy Garland songs she sang in this film.

The relationship portrayed with her father is a touching one and you get a sense of how this little girl was transformed into the media powerhouse that was ultimately her undoing. A must see movie - if it can ever be found released.

Dreadful!

[webstanator · 2/10 · 25 May 2009]

Judy Garland was incredibly talented and not in the least boring so how in the world this movie was made is beyond me. It was absolutely dreadful, boring beyond belief and in large part extremely poorly acted. The only character I managed to grow interested in was the father and they didn't develop him much.

Andrea McCardle's voice could crack windows - I had to mute the numerous songs to keep the dogs in the neighborhood from howling. She was in way over her head for this role and didn't sound a thing like Judy Garland. Her horrid singing was only eclipsed by her equally atrocious acting, all her dialogue delivered in a flat, monotone manner. Andrea was simply awful so I'm astonished at the numerous accolades by other reviewers.

It was free on OnDemand and this is definitely a case of you get what you pay for. Save yourself two hours and avoid this painfully embarrassing flick.

A showcase for Andrea McArdle with a script that reflects the era it was produced.

[eggman404 · 8/10 · 9 January 2020]

If you are looking for an in-depth, warts and all, look at Judy Garland. this is not your film. This 1978 bio pic is extremely sugar coated. Her father being a homosexual is merely hinted at through dialogue because that wasn't a subject that could be spoken of at the time. Her drug abuse is played about as deeply as an episode of Saved by the Bell.

This is a light film that walks one through the highlights of the life of Judy Garland from the point of being part of the Gumm Sisters singing group through her being cast in the Wizard of Oz. Andrea McArdle is slightly miscast since her voice is much bolder and Broadway than the real Judy Garland. (Thus a few of the undeserved reviews here about how loud she is)

McArdle was the original Annie on Broadway, and she has appeared in other regional, off-Broadway and more Broadway productions for over 40 years. So I find it humorous that there is a review here saying she can't sing!

I love the 30's music that Ms. McArdle sings throughout the production. The songs stick with you long after viewing. The supporting cast is great and it's a nice saccharin view of the days of yesterday and the Movie Studio system of the 30's.

Blood-Chilling Noise

[myrndra · 1/10 · 13 August 2008]

This is one of the worst films on a famous person's childhood I have ever had the misfortune to watch: saccharine, vague, wooden performances all round but especially wooden is McArdle, a butch kewpie doll who is badly miscast in the lead. And her singing! Nothing like the nuance and subtleness of Garland's, just a strident noise to chill the blood. Blessed are the inventors of the remote, which meant I could mute the sound from the comfort of my sofa every time McArdle opened her mouth.

The thing I don't get is why child labour is frowned upon in every arena except that of entertainment, and the obscenity that is the Child Star. If you really want to know about Judy Garland's childhood, don't bother with this garbage, read Gerald Clarke's GET HAPPY: THE LIFE OF JUDY GARLAND. As a book it's fascinating, well-researched, and blessedly *silent*.

What a treat! At 10 playing the part of a 10!

[HappyHoTai · 9/10 · 14 November 2005]

On a scale of 1 to 10, Andrea McArdle has to be rated a ten if only for the strength, clarity and beauty of her singing abilities. Add to that the fact that the girl can actually act. To see her in any movie would be a treat. To see her in a movie depicting Judy Garland, another showbiz "10" with a voice that overwhelms, is an unbelievable delight. "Rainbow" tells the story of the emotional triangle that proved to be a trap for Judy Garland. Wanting to please her parents, wanting to "make it big" in show business, and always longing to be a normal girl proved to be a conflict too large to overcome. The movie is bittersweet in that it shows the drive the mother infuses into young Judy Garland, the special relationship between Judy and her father, and the unbelievable talent inside this child, all the while reminding us that each of these facets took a toll on Judy Garland and eventually shaped her life both in positive ways and in ways that were painful.

A good movie. I really wish it would be released on DVD. It definitely would be a worthwhile addition to any collection.

RAINBOW - ** out of *****

[unclejeff · 4/10 · 8 March 2024]

I don't enjoy picking on a young person, but this biography, which ends just prior to the release of THE WIZARD OF OZ, is ruined by young McArdle's performance. Best known for originating the little orphan in ANNIE on Broadway, she has a lovely voice, and I hope she's had a fulfilling life. But she's just dreadful here. Let's forget for a moment that she doesn't look or sound like Garland in the slightest. But it's a robotic, comatose performance, and even when she sings, her voice is that of a generic Broadway babe born and bred by a monstrous showbiz mama. There's nothing new here that even those with the slightest knowledge of Garland won't already know. The cast is OK, although whoever put that awful wig on Rue McClanahan should be tarred and feathered. This is the biopic equivalent of CliffsNotes, and everything feels hollow and uninspired. If you want to check out a MUCH better version of this material, watch the first half of LIFE WITH JUDY GARLAND: ME AND MY SHADOWS, which features an extraordinary performance by Tammy Blanchard as the young Judy.

Love this movie

[deemansmom · 10/10 · 17 January 2021]

I rememberthis movie as a kid and still sing the songs to this day ! A treasure

Andrea McArdale miscast

[usersince03 · 8/10 · 7 May 2015]

I remember seeing this years ago about Judy Garland in the 1930's before she was a big name when The Wizard Of Oz came out in 1939, I re-watched this lately on you-tube and felt Andrea McArdale was miscast as the teenage Judy Garland. I didn't dislike this film but Andrea McArdale singing voice didn't sound anything like Judy Garland and she looked nothing like her, no one looks exactly like their counterparts in TV movies about famous people (20 something years later Life With Judy Garland came out and I thought some of the actors didn't look like who they were portraying). I'm not trying to sound mean but I felt they made Judy Garland unlikeable/bratty when she was arguing with her mother near the end and made the mother likable, Judy Garland was quoted as saying her mother was the real wicked witch of the west.