richard-1787
No, this isn't a good movie, despite a lot of talent in front of the camera. The script is uninteresting, and manages to turn some very likable actors, like Billie Burke and Reginald Owen, into unlikable characters. As others have remarked, there is no memorable music here, which is fatal for a musical.What I did get a kick out of, however, was a parody of the quartet from the last act of Verdi's Rigoletto. Four of the leads are on a bus, and Alan Jones, the tenor, starts off, in his best operatic style. As the others, especially Garland, enter in, however, they do jazz variations on the different parts. If you know the quartet, it's really very clever.What I found interesting about it is that it assumes that much of the audience would know the original piece. And, in 1938, they might well have, from the radio, where that sort of immediately likable classical music was common. Today a similar parody wouldn't work, because few would know the original.
David (Handlinghandel)
I've never really gotten Judy Garland. Maybe because I wasn't raised with a TV and annual "Wizard of Oz" showing. (Yes, I do love "Meet Me In St. Louis.)Enough about me, though. The point is, I watched this only for the delightful Fannie Brice. She is funny and charming as the family maid, Olga. Maybe her personality is a little too large to work in a movie. The plot is overly familiar. Allan Jones is as annoying as always. Billie Burke and some of the players in smaller roles are fun but forgettable. But Her every line and facial gesture made me laugh. Would that she'd done more movies!
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As she sang in a Hardy Family movie, Judy was just an "in-between" when her first few movies were made: "too old for toys, not old enough for boys". What plot there is, is an excuse for the musical numbers, most of which are rather lifeless. MGM seemed to be trying to find some place for players under contract, such as Alan Jones and Fannie Brice. Jones is as wooden here as in every other one of his MGMs, this time without the Marx Brothers to detract attention. Fannie Brice was just not a film personality. For someone who remembers her Baby Snooks radio show as quite entertaining, the Snooks routine here is almost embarrassing. Judy was not given any songs in which she could reveal her personality. The last scene was (unintentionally, I suppose) comical, when the entire cast, including Reginald Owen and Billie Burke. simulate a group dance number. This one is only for Garland die-hards interested in her early work. (Actually, she is much more natural in her first feature: Pigskin Parade, since not all the weight is on her shoulders.
TrpleThreat22
This is very fun Judy Garland movie before "Oz". It's neat to see Judy in so much trouble! I enjoyed seeing Billie Burke in this before she became immortalized as Glinda in "Oz" also. All the actors give fine performances, and it's a rare treat for Fanny Brice to be in this film. She is hilarious as the Russian maid. Judy steals every scene she's in! Allan Jones also was superb. I am a big Judy Garland fan, so this might seem biased! Sure, the Baby Snooks number might seem a little corny, but overall, I give this 9/10, because I wanted it longer!
