Monday, November 02, 2015

Film Classics of the 20th Century




In this ongoing series on film classics of the last century, we've looked at  The Fullerbrush GirlThe Net,  Your Friends & Neighbors,  Shampoo,  The Player,  Dick Tracy,  How To Marry A Millionaire,  Blow OutYou Only Live TwiceSleeper,  Diamonds Are Forever,  Sleepless In Seattle,  My Little Chickadee,  Tootsie,  After Hours,  Edward ScissorhandsChristmas in Connecticut, Desk Set,  When Harry Met Sally . . .,  Who Done It?,  That Darn Cat!,  Cactus Flower,  Family Plot, House Sitter,  and Outrageous Fortune.   Film classics are the films that grab you, even on repeat viewings, especially on repeat viewings.


Judy Garland was and remains the biggest star Hollywood musicals have ever seen.

It was at MGM where she played Dorothy in THE WIZARD OF OZ.  Other early MGM films found her teamed with Mickey Rooney -- and not just in the Andy Hardy films but also in their let's-put-on-a-show films.

And when the curtain came down on the MGM career, she was in another let's-put-on-a-show film.

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Jane (Judy Garland) and Esme (Marjorie Main) are on the farm and losing the workers.

But nothing gets Judy down.  As Jane, she just hops on a tractor and starts singing.

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Well . . . one thing gets her down.


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Gene Kelly showing up at her farm.

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On the arm of her sister Abigail (Gloria DeHaven) who's promised Gene and company that they can use the farm to rehearse their upcoming musical.

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That's a lot of people on the farm.

But in the end, only two people are drawn together.


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She sings and  her sister splits.

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Which leaves Gene Kelly's musical without a leading lady and him without a gal.


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Gene can go it alone.

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Or . . . Judy can take her sister's place.


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And she does it amazing well.

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All works out well.

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But if the film classic is remembered for just one thing, it's Judy's performance of "Get Happy."

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The plot is obvious but the charm and talent of Judy and Gene (and Phil Silvers) elevate the film to a classic.