PALM SPRINGS, Calif. – His cane may allude to just how long ago this all happened, but pop in an old tape of some of the greats he worked with and Kevin Carlisle is young again.

Of all of the greats, there is one who has his heart, and that is his beloved Judy Garland.

“She was shy, very demure and shy and not outgoing. I’ve worked with lots of stars with big egos and big thoughts about themselves, she was not one of them,” Carlisle said.

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Carlisle produced, choreographed, and directed many of Judy’s performances. He remembers one in L.A. like it was yesterday, when her stage fright got the best of her.

“It came time for her entrance and she said ‘Oh Kevin no no’ and I gave her a little shove and went ‘Now sing your songs!’ And she did,” Carlisle said.

Demand was high for Miss Show Business as she was called, and she was often overworked in her younger years, which we learn about in the new film, Judy. Despite her struggles, Carlisle says everyone didn’t just love her they adored her.

“There was a child-like being in her that made people feel like they wanted to take care of her. The general public wanted to protect and feel like they were parent figures for her,” Carlisle said.

Carlisle now lives in both Palm Springs and Corona Del Mar, but he feels a special connection to her when he is in Hollywood’s playground. He thinks back to the times Judy used to come to Palm Springs to get away. He hasn’t seen the film yet, wanting to emotionally brace himself to see the portrayal of her final years.

“For some reason, she loved me and I loved her so much, I’m sorry,” Carlisle said crying.

It is a memory that can bring tears, but also one that warms his heart.

“She was and is adored by many people on the planet but there are many who don’t know anything about her. The making of this film will give her an opportunity to know more about her and feel something about her,” Carlisle said.

Like he did then and like he does now.