A Mickey and Rooney and Judy Garland film is something that is hard to understand today. While I adore classic Hollywood films, there is a certain strangeness about their films together that just falls a bit flat. All the singing, cuteness and formula came off very well back during the late 30s and into the 40s but now it just seems dated. I am not putting the films down--just saying that although they were IMMENSELY popular then, today they are not exactly to most viewers' tastes.
This movie is distinguished by having music and lyrics by George and Ira Gershwin. George had unexpectedly died a few years earlier, and these songs were from the stage version of "Girl Crazy" from the 1930s. And while I have enjoyed their music, I wasn't thrilled with some of the musical numbers here--especially since Ira's lyrics were occasionally pretty limp. The worst I can think of is the song which features the immortal line 'I'll tie your shoesies'. In addition, even compared to the typical musical of the day, this one simply had too much music. Unless you adore musicals chock full of singing, this might not be your cup of tea. Plus, hearing June Allyson belting out the opening song was a bit tough on the ears.
One interesting point in this otherwise formulaic film is seeing Nancy Walker when she was young. As I grew up seeing her in commercials and on Rhoda, I just assumed she always was old! Here, she plays goofy comic relief.
The story begins with Rooney playing a spoiled young playboy. He's not exactly a bad guy--just a bit full of himself. Well, his rich father isn't thrilled to see this and decides to pull him out of Yale and move him to a small western college that is NOT co-ed. Not surprisingly, there is a girl there--the Dean's daughter (Garland) and like was so often the case in this sort of film, they hate each other when they meet. Will they manage to work through this? You betcha. The next hurdle, then, is the school's future. The state is thinking about closing it as enrollment is way down. Guess what Mickey and Judy decide to do..yup, put on a show (which, incidentally, they did in 1840249 other films)! So is this one worth seeing? Well, yes...but only if you haven't watched several other Garland/Rooney films or if you like their films so much that you want to see them all. As for me, a classic movie fiend who isn't enamored with their films together, this and "Babes in Arms" and a few others I've seen are enough for me for the time being. Otherwise, they all start to look pretty much alike.
This movie is distinguished by having music and lyrics by George and Ira Gershwin. George had unexpectedly died a few years earlier, and these songs were from the stage version of "Girl Crazy" from the 1930s. And while I have enjoyed their music, I wasn't thrilled with some of the musical numbers here--especially since Ira's lyrics were occasionally pretty limp. The worst I can think of is the song which features the immortal line 'I'll tie your shoesies'. In addition, even compared to the typical musical of the day, this one simply had too much music. Unless you adore musicals chock full of singing, this might not be your cup of tea. Plus, hearing June Allyson belting out the opening song was a bit tough on the ears.
One interesting point in this otherwise formulaic film is seeing Nancy Walker when she was young. As I grew up seeing her in commercials and on Rhoda, I just assumed she always was old! Here, she plays goofy comic relief.
The story begins with Rooney playing a spoiled young playboy. He's not exactly a bad guy--just a bit full of himself. Well, his rich father isn't thrilled to see this and decides to pull him out of Yale and move him to a small western college that is NOT co-ed. Not surprisingly, there is a girl there--the Dean's daughter (Garland) and like was so often the case in this sort of film, they hate each other when they meet. Will they manage to work through this? You betcha. The next hurdle, then, is the school's future. The state is thinking about closing it as enrollment is way down. Guess what Mickey and Judy decide to do..yup, put on a show (which, incidentally, they did in 1840249 other films)! So is this one worth seeing? Well, yes...but only if you haven't watched several other Garland/Rooney films or if you like their films so much that you want to see them all. As for me, a classic movie fiend who isn't enamored with their films together, this and "Babes in Arms" and a few others I've seen are enough for me for the time being. Otherwise, they all start to look pretty much alike.