- El Patio -

Judy Garland Triumphs
El Heraldo 08/19/66

Against all predictions, Judy Garland triumphed spectacularly in her debut in Mexico Wednesday Night in El Patio.  When she appeared on the scene the people stomped their feet and received her with an ovation.  Later she caused silence when she staggered towards a table with a glass in her hand, and the public for a moment thought she was not able to sing.  But Judy opened her throat, and her marvelous voice brought her a torrent.  Judy Garland, the great star of A STAR IS BORN and all the unforgettable pictures, the Judy of glorious night of Carnegie Hall in New York when she returned to brilliant intensity as the great artist that she is.  Judy interpreted 10/20/30 songs with a voice that did not reveal any of the penalties of her turbulent existence.  An artist of the soul and the heart, physically fragile but strong in spirit, Judy electrified the audience.  She has a voice roughish, a feeling that seems each time finer.  A temperament that goes with the absolute dominion of her art.  Judy is as great as always.

The public received Judy Garland with flowers and foot stomps.  In Judy Garland triumphed the artist over the woman when we saw her on-stage.  The public that saw her last night forgot, thanks to the art of the famous singer.  Of all the versions that have been circulated around of her life, of all the errors of comments, she gave a memorable night.  Flowers covered the floor when the notes of OVER THE RAINBOW had been concluded, after an hour and a half of Judy, who ended tearfully but happy for the reception and the tribute of the Mexican people.  The extraordinary orchestra that surrounded the artist started the overture at 10 till, the musical themes of Judy's performances.  The reflectors looked over the audience occasionally and created suspense.  Soon from the public entrance a tiny woman in a long gown with a figure that is now the same as that of Edith Piaf entered with her arms upraised.  The public, on impulse, stood on their feet and gave the ovation for the artist who has known triumph and defeat.  Dressed in a black gown covered with various color flowers, she was soon engulfed by photographers and camera men.  After some jokes and an exchange of microphones, the throat of Judy made its first sounds.  Later a voice made millions of tones and later a fantastic torrent of sensibility.  She sang four songs recorded around the time of the war.  Then Judy, who was near the table that was occupied by Tom Green, her press manager, asked and got a handkerchief.  She began to cough, and was given a glass of vodka with ice.  With the glass in her hand, she stood and in a grave voice said 'Salud' ('Cheers!').  First there was a second of silence, after which she was given an ovation beyond comprehension, to the woman, and the human, and to the artist.  She took a great sip and left the drink on another table.  Later, she lost another handkerchief and continued singing.  Jazz, romantic melodies, WHAT NOW MY LOVE, CHICAGO, SAN FRANCISCO, and many more.  20, 30, alone with the piano, with all the orchestra, with the trumpet, sitting, parading, strutting, grinning, frowning, crying; in the end all these states, physically inanimated, turned the public crazy.  Of this little figure, no one is able to imagine that she was able to end her act with such a voice and with so much sentiment.  Last night Judy demonstrated that she knows how to put her all into what she sings, when she tries.  Judy passed through a difficult moment when the morning papers let her know that she had been presented with a divorce action by Mark Herron.  The public last night can be accused with happy cruelty, until the tears in her eyes with songs that do not die.  The only thing one is able to say to OVER THE RAINBOW is "Salud, Judy!  Viva Dorothy!"

In spite of presenting herself in the inadequate state, the singer and star of Hollywood Judy Garland had a clamorous welcome on the stage of the nightclub El Patio.  The singing star of recognized international prestige succeeded in retaining the attention of nearly a thousand persons who had come to see her and she sang more than 21 songs for a performance that lasted more than an hour.  Her contract stipulated that she was to perform for 30 minutes each evening.  Sergio Corona, who functioned as master of ceremonies, made the presentation of the star, telling the audience that she was an international star since her staring role in THE WIZARD OF OZ.  The public was skeptical, and the first impression of the famous star, who entered the stage almost staggering, was disagreeable.  However, a storm of applause was heard in the night club center when she initiated the interpretation of her first melody.  Judy Garland in the first five minutes of her act turned the initial cold reception into clamorous ovations.  This is without a doubt one of the major shows by an international artist that has come to our country.