Jane Powell and company hit a home run with this sweet and fun outing from MGM with music courtesy of Xavier Cugat and Carmen Miranda. Miranda fans will have to wait for the last 30 minutes for her two numbers, but they're worth it.
The movie centers on Judy's love life and steady boyfriend, Ogden "Oogie," played by Scotty Beckett. Because he doesn't pick her up for a school dance and sends a "mere child," she gets miffed and drops him cold. The rest of the film has "Oogie" miserable and wanting back in the fold, with "Judy" giving him a hard time. Meanwhile, soda-jerk-for-the-summer Robert Stack is on hand to escort her to the dance, allowing her to make "Oogie" jealous. Elizabeth Taylor is great as "Oogie"'s sister (they both come from a rich family), who is a spoiled brat and dominates everything, getting her way all the time and who of course takes an instant liking to Robert Stack.
Also, Wallace Beery, in a musical-comedy of all places!, is Jane Powell's pop, who finally learns to rumba to please his wife of 20 years and wants to surprise her on their wedding anniversary. Of course, he's taught by Miss Miranda and complications arise. Jane Powell has a little brother, who spouts fresh comments, and a sweet grandfather, who misses his deceased wife.
If I haven't made you nostalgic feeling describing this old-fashioned movie, then you must be a Grinch. I can't tell you how much I enjoyed this quick, witty and feel good movie. Granted Miss Powell's songs aren't anything too memorable, but the majority of them are upbeat and cute. I personally like the slow ones. She does a sing a sweet one for her grandpa, which was her grandmother's favorite.
Lastly, I'll say that this movie has always seemed somewhat like the Archie comics to me brought to life, in MGM style, due mostly to the fact that Elizabeth's character is practically "Veronica Lodge." Jane Powell could be "Betty Cooper" maybe, but I doubt "Betty" could sing like her. But with the soda shop/pharmacy as the hangout, it does feel like Archie's hometown of Riverdale, but without a true Archie here.
If you're looking for the days of yore, when life was simple and bright, or just need a picker-upper, then this is for you. "A Date with Judy" will make you feel better long after the date's over.
The movie centers on Judy's love life and steady boyfriend, Ogden "Oogie," played by Scotty Beckett. Because he doesn't pick her up for a school dance and sends a "mere child," she gets miffed and drops him cold. The rest of the film has "Oogie" miserable and wanting back in the fold, with "Judy" giving him a hard time. Meanwhile, soda-jerk-for-the-summer Robert Stack is on hand to escort her to the dance, allowing her to make "Oogie" jealous. Elizabeth Taylor is great as "Oogie"'s sister (they both come from a rich family), who is a spoiled brat and dominates everything, getting her way all the time and who of course takes an instant liking to Robert Stack.
Also, Wallace Beery, in a musical-comedy of all places!, is Jane Powell's pop, who finally learns to rumba to please his wife of 20 years and wants to surprise her on their wedding anniversary. Of course, he's taught by Miss Miranda and complications arise. Jane Powell has a little brother, who spouts fresh comments, and a sweet grandfather, who misses his deceased wife.
If I haven't made you nostalgic feeling describing this old-fashioned movie, then you must be a Grinch. I can't tell you how much I enjoyed this quick, witty and feel good movie. Granted Miss Powell's songs aren't anything too memorable, but the majority of them are upbeat and cute. I personally like the slow ones. She does a sing a sweet one for her grandpa, which was her grandmother's favorite.
Lastly, I'll say that this movie has always seemed somewhat like the Archie comics to me brought to life, in MGM style, due mostly to the fact that Elizabeth's character is practically "Veronica Lodge." Jane Powell could be "Betty Cooper" maybe, but I doubt "Betty" could sing like her. But with the soda shop/pharmacy as the hangout, it does feel like Archie's hometown of Riverdale, but without a true Archie here.
If you're looking for the days of yore, when life was simple and bright, or just need a picker-upper, then this is for you. "A Date with Judy" will make you feel better long after the date's over.