Customer Reviews

Girl Crazy [VHS]

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This was not the first film version of this great George and Ira Gershwin musical, but it was the best. It had been a huge hit on Broadway, with Ginger Rogers in the lead role (a fact nodded at by changing the female lead from Molly Gray to Ginger Gray). It was the final and best of a half dozen or so musicals that Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney made together in a very short period of time. It isn't that the production was so much more lavish than the previous films, but the blending of several absolutely stellar Gershwin songs with the combined talents of Judy, Mickey, and Tommy Dorsey and his orchestra.

We have to be honest here: the plot is nothing to write home about, like a host of other musicals (until the late 1940s and early 1950s, the majority of film musicals were rather thin on plot). The story, such as it is, is a frame upon which to hang songs, and luckily there are a host of songs. This is not exactly the original songs as performed in the stage version of the show; some of the weaker numbers being replaced by stronger Gershwin numbers. At worse, the numbers are highly entertaining, but a few of them completely transcend the typical productions in most of the Garland-Rooney MGM musicals. Judy Garland had few moments in her career as splendid as when she sang "But Not for Me," and almost the same thing could be said for "Embraceable You." "I Got Rhythm" is one of the finest numbers that Judy and Mickey ever did together. I am not a fan of the big bands ( I mean the swing bands, not jazz orchestras such as Duke Ellington's), but I make a bit of an exception for Tommy Dorsey, and the numbers his orchestra covers in this film show why. "Fascinatin' Rhythm" features a marvelous arrangement, and gives wonderful moments for many of the wonderful soloists that filled his band. My lone complaint is that Dorsey himself doesn't do as much playing as I would have liked. Though he wasn't a great jazz innovator, his technique on trombone was simply amazing, and he managed to transform the instrument from a bleating horn to a subtle, beautiful, and lyrical instrument.

This film is also an important transition film in the careers of both Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney. It was the last film that they would ever do together, after having starred together in a host of youth musicals in the previous few years. It signaled the beginning of the decline of Rooney's career. He would go on to make a huge number of films in his career, most of them rather minor parts, and he would from time to time score a very fine role, but from this point on his and Judy Garland's careers would be moving in opposite directions. In their first film together, Rooney was the big star and Garland the newcomer, but immediately after this film Garland would be catapulted to stardom in a host of great MGM films throughout the 1940s. But this also signaled the end of a period for Judy Garland. She is so pure and innocent looking in this film that it almost breaks your heart. It was essentially her last film as a teen (though she was 21 at the time). Her next film would be MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS, and it was during this film that people began giving her the drugs that would play such a large role in the rest of her life. She would remain fresh and beautiful looking in her next several films such as THE CLOCK and THE HARVEY GIRLS, but eventually the strain would take its toll. But not in GIRL CRAZY. Her face is a marvel of innocence and loveliness. I'm not sure she was ever more beautiful than in this one.

This CD just came in the mail today. Just popped it in the player and I love it already! Judy's major numbers on this disc are featured on several of her Decca studio recordings, which is where I heard them first. But the original soundtrack performances, as heard here, are the best yet! This is, without a doubt, the best recording of the fabulous Gershwin score (although the 1952 Mary Martin cast album, now the only version in print, is good too). Garland and Rooney always worked so well together. The sound on the disc is wonderful - you'd never know it was made in 1943! All selections are in STEREO (except the Main Title, in monaural), thanks to the (as always) wonderful remastering and remixing job by Rhino/Turner. Unfortunately this disc is out of print, and its a shame that it is (I got my copy via Ebay). Keep an eye open for it, though. No faults with this one; it's great! As another reviewer states, these are quite possibly some of the greatest numbers ever put on film and disc!

The last significant appearance of Garland and Rooney on screen is a delight. Garland, often subordinated to Rooney in previous efforts, sparkles as the unexpectedly sophistocated daughter of a western university's dean; Rooney's manic energy, which is often well-over the top in most of his films, is neatly subdued to the demands of the story. The score, which includes such favorites as "Not For Me," "Embraceable You," "I Got Rythmn," and "Bidin' My Time," is a classic; the script is charming; and the stars are expertly supported. Who could ask for anything more?

I'm giving this film 5 stars based on one particular song in the film: "Bidin' my time". This performance by Judy just knocked my socks off when I caught it some time ago on late-night television. The rest of the film is fine too, but I'm a nut about music (all music from classical to rock) and after hearing this particular rendition I just had to own it. There's something different about how she and her group perform this song. I don't quite know how to describe it but it caught my interest immediately. It seems somehow ahead of its time. Anyway, that particular performance is just a joy to watch. I noticed that the commercial review had also picked up on this particular song.

Put aside any preconceptions about "Mickey and Judy" movies. In fact, just put aside the film entirely. Buy this CD for the music and you'll be glad you did.

Hugh Martin and Ralph Blaine, soon to be famous for their score for "Meet Me in St. Louis," gave this Gershwin score (the best of all their shows), the five-star treatment with fantastic vocal arrangements - though I'm sure Roger Edens also had a hand in there.

What you get are versions that make these great songs sound even better. "Bidin' My Time," which can be a sleeper if done badly, turns into a rich counterpoint between Judy and a male quartet. "Embraceable You" is given an easy, lightly swinging full choral arrangement after Judy does the definitive solo version, and "I Got Rhythm" is taken over the top with Tommy Dorsey and the "Six Hits and A Miss" backing Judy perfectly.

But the piece de resistance is Dorsey's arrangement of "Fascinatin' Rhythm," presented first as a typical swing arrangement (and a great one at that), and then with Mickey miming Arthur Schutt's piano solo a la Gershwin's "Variations on I Got Rhythm," complete with hand-crossing and all George's piano tricks - fantastic!

Add to this Judy's painfully tender version of "But Not For Me," June Allyson's debut performance of "Treat Me Rough," and the happily restored "Bronco Busters," and you have one of the best film scores ever.

To top it all off, Rhino dicovered that all the tracks had been recorded in multichannel sound and then mixed down to mono for the film's release. Remix them to stereo and you have state-of-the-art sound, recorded on 35mm film, not on 79 rpm dics, for awesome sound quality - this does not sound like some tinny soundtrack, trust me.

If you are a Gershwin fan, this CD must be in your collection!

In GIRL CRAZY, Rooney and Garland finally grow up, despite the best intentions of a formula which saw them as kids on stage in film after film. Judy plays Ginger Gray, the daughter of a college president. The character Garland once described as "Dorothy Adorable", once given free rein in BABES ON BROADWAY (1941), BABES IN ARMS (1939) or the Andy Hardy movies, has, however, grown more complex. Ginger Gray shows the contradictory and ironic charm of the latter Garland characters, both vulnerable and quick to laugh at herself in a way that the roles as "Dorothy Adorable" hardly suggest. Berkeley films such as BABES IN ARMS & BABES ON BROADWAY had used the familiar "let's put a show on" theme as a glorious excuse for Garland, Rooney and dozens of other chorus folk to concoct variety shows. Although Norman Taurog's (he was Jackie Cooper's uncle) direction and staging of the musical numbers reflected the beginnings of a new style in film musicals, the plot of GIRL CRAZY is completely conventional. Not only are Rooney and Garland featured in virtually every scene, but they usually dominate the frame in Taurog's composition. Tommy Dorsey's orchestra provides the swingy ambience and the musical score is outstanding: "But Not for Me", "I Got Rhythm" "Embraceable You" "Fascinating Rhythm" and "Bidin' My Time" along with 7 others!

This is Mickey and Judy's best film together. They play off each other wonderfully and Judy's laughter is infectious. But it's the GREAT musical score that makes "Girl Crazy" a movie to go crazy about. This was their last starring feature together (she went on to bigger things in the years following) so get it, tuck it away and keep it for a rainy day when you need a reminder of how talented this screen duo was.

This film is one of my all time favorite Mickey and Judy films. Actually this film is one of the best musicals made of all time. It's up and moving with plenty of awesome Jazz music. Unlike a lot of musicals which put you to sleep this one is entertaining all the way through. Mickey Rooney is my favorite actor of all time. His energy and talent are unmatched by any. He is NEVER over the top, he always just puts his all into his work. That is not what I would call over the top. Mickey does have a more mature sense about him in this film which makes him simply charming as always. The songs are great and Judy sings her best. She also looked very pretty in this film. She was starting to look more like a young lady rather than a little girl like in previous pictures she had done. If you love good Jazz music, Mickey Rooney and or Judy Garland you will fall in love with Girl Crazy. One of my other favorite mickey/judy films is Strike Up The Band. Mickey does a Bang Up job on the drums.; Check them out!!

This is great for a fan of musical movies or Judy Garland. This is based on the stage show with new songs. Most is "mood music" played in the background of scenes and there is a solo song sung by june allyson (early on in here carrer) It has great show stoppers (I got Rythym, Embracable you, But not for me) and the Very funny "could you use me?" The quality is exellent because it was remastered by Rhino Records and is a great addition to any collection

These studios need to release these old musicals on DVD now! We want to enjoy them in all their glory and only remastered DVD will allow that! With a sound track like this its a shame that its not on Dolby Re-Mastered Digital !!!