Customer Reviews

Summer Stock [VHS]

5 star:		(52)
4 star:		(22)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a wonderful film! Especially for people who live on farms (Like me). This wonderful film was directed by Charles Walters who two years before directed Easter Parade with Judy and Fred (Also a great film).

28 year old Judy Garland stars as the hard working, determined, Jane Falbury. Who really just wants to run her farm. Or does she...
Chaos ensues when Jane comes home one morning to find 24 (Though it looks more like 50 on screen) people loading props, lights, and costumes into her much loved barn. Angry, overwhelmed, and upset, Jane is dumbfounded when she finds out her beautiful, ambitious, sister (Gloria DeHaven), has invited her boyfriend's show, (Gene Kelly), to put on his show: 'Fall in Love,' in which her sister is to play the leading part. Jane angrily tells them to leave. But when Jane's sister, Abigail, tells Jane she is selfish, Jane changes her mind and says that the actors may stay - on one condition: they must help her with the farm chores!!!

This movie contiues as Jane falls head over heels with Joe Ross (Gene Kelly), and show business.
Other cast includes: Marjorie Main, Carleton Carpenter, Phil Silvers and Ray Collins.

Other songs include: If you fell like singing sing, Howdy Neighbor, Memory Island, You Wonderful You, Get Happy, Dig, There's a star, and the HILARIOUS, routine with Gene Kelly and Phil Silvers: It's Heavenly Music To ME!!

Overall, Summer Stock is a Wonderful movie the whole family can Love and Enjoy!!!!!

This movie was a treat to watch and I am so excited about this movie I am starting to write this review even as the VCR is rewinding the tape! GRIN Garland, Kelly, Silvers, DeHaven and fantastic other cast members give a strong, convincing performance in the movie Summer Stock. The script is well written; yes, though the plot is not the deepest, and to an extent predictable, the lines are thoughtfully written. The musical numbers are fantastic and include superb scenes where Kelly dances as well as Judy's infamous "Get Happy" number. (One exception is the number at the end with Silvers and Kelly dancing and singing as farmhands--not too special a musical number in my opinion.) It seems that Judy's character owns and runs a farm--in debt--and Kelly playing Joe brings his acting troupe to try out a new show and stake a claim in show business. Of course, after some complications--and romantic partner swapping--the show goes on and is a tremendous success. Happy Ending! Judy's great performance in her final completed film at MGM is truly remarkable in light of her poor health at the time. (However I must say that although it could just be my imagination, Judy looks a bit skinnier in some scenes in the film than she does in other scenes. Could this reflect her possibly losing or gaining weight during the time this movie was filmed?) In short, this film is a very fine addition to any serious movie buff's collection, especially if part of the collection includes musicals. Get this film--Amazon lists it as out of stock for a GOOD reason! Tons of people bought this movie and you'll GET HAPPY when you see this!

First of all I am so excitied that finally Summer Stock, (starring Judy Garland, and Gene Kelly) will now be appearing on DVD!! Now all us viewers have to do is wait. This was Judy Garland's last film at MGM under her contract before it was "canceled" her last big number was the unforgetable "Get Happy" in which she wore the top half of a tuxedo and a gorgeous black hat. Judy looks absolutely gorgeous and fit!!You might call this movie "let's put on a show theme" and it is!! One of my favorite Garland & Kelly films, believe me they are pure genius together in glorius technicolor; I give you Judy Garland, Gene Kelly, Gloria De Haven, and Phil Silvers in Metro Goldwyn Mayer's Production of.........Summer Stock 1950

This is a perfect movie to have around the house when nothing else seems watchable. This MGM diamond packed with and brimming over with fun is always a treat! And if you love Judy Garland and Gene Kelly, it's all the more so. Judy plays a country girl whose only interest is in running her debt-ridden farm.She returns home one day to find her barn full of cows, pigs, chickens...and actors, sets, and props. She learns that her sister has permitted a troupe of theater actors, headed by Gene and Phil Silvers, to perform a show in their barn. Judy complies on one condition: these theater folk also support themselves by doing chores around the farm. But picking eggs and milking cows aren't every man's fantasy, as Gene and Phil learn. But in spite of a madcap hullaballoo on the farm, a love story manages to intertwine itself between Judy and Gene... except for Judy being engaged... and her sister in love with Gene... This is a marvelous movie for anyone, young or old. Judy sings and struts the stuff that made her a legend, particularly shining in a memorable number called, "Get Happy". She croons "You Wonderful You" with Gene, who dances at the top of his form... on newspapers. Gene and Phil do a hilarious number called "Heavenly Music" in hillbilly attire, and the finale "Happy Harvest" will have you smiling long after the picture's over. With Judy Garland singing and Gene Kelly dancing, how can you go wrong with this priceless piece of MGM treasure? Buy it today and get happy with "Summer Stock"!

Judy Garland stars in this movie as her last film for MGM. Gene Kelly also stars. Basically the movie is about Gene Kelly's theatre troup taking over Judy's barn for a show. Well Judy eventually gets the urge to sing and dance as well. The other cast members are great which include, Gloria DeHaven, Eddie Bracken, Marjorie Main, and Phil Silvers. As for the numbers,

If You Feel Like Singing, Sing- Judy sings this right at the beginning of the movie.

Happy Harvest- Judy sings this number also.

Dig-Dig-Dig-Dig for Your Dinner- This is sung by Gene Kelly and Phil Silvers and the chorus.

Mem'ry Island- Gloria DeHaven sings this song with a guy as part of the show.

Country Barn Dance- Judy and Gene dance to this country barn dance music and then it heats up!

You Wonderful You- Gene sings this to Judy and then Judy joins him. Later on Gene dances to this song.

Friendly Star- Judy sings this song.

All for You- Gene and Judy sing this as song as part of their show with a chorus.

Heavenly Music- Gene and Phil sing and dance to this song. I heard Judy Garland was actually supposed to do this number also but she wasn't well at the time. A fun number.

Get Happy- The best number in the whole movie! One of Judy's signiture songs and looks. She looks so sexy in that man's fedora, suit jacket and black tights. See the movie just for this number!

As for DVD extras,

New featurette Summer Stock: Get Happy!
Classic MGM cartoon The Cuckoo Clock
Vintage Pete Smith Specialty Short Did'ja Know?
Audio-only bonus: outtake song Fall in Love
Theatrical trailer
Languages: English & Français
Subtitles: English, Français & Español (feature film only)


Summer Stock is an enjoyable movie and I recommend it if you love Judy Garland and Gene Kelly. The movie's plot is much like the movies Judy did with Mickey Rooney. Go see this movie!

Judy Garland was THEE entertainer of the 20th Century! Watching this fun-filled, tune-fest one can't believe that it was her last MGM picture (she was fired after this due to consitent tardiness and personal problems). Its amazing to watch Judy here as by this time her life was riddled with severe emotional problems. It seems impossible to be true when you see the energy, joy and love she puts into everything she does on screen. She's just marvelous!! The "Get Happy" number is a show-stopper as is her wonderful "tractor number Howdy Neighbor"! No less sensational is Gene Kelly who does some of the best dancing of his career! There's a marvelous dance with bits of newspaper that is unbelievable! The supporting cast can't be bettered with talents like Marjorie Main, Phil Silvers, Carleton Carpenter, Eddie Bracken and Gloria DeHaven. This is first rate MGM entertainment filmed at the time of the beginning of the demise of the studio system. Pure escapism at its finest, "Summer Stock" is one for the ages. Shine on Judy and Gene! I love it!

Without much of a storyline to support them, Gene Kelly and Judy Garland do wonders to an otherwise weak show. Being their last on-screen partnership, and Garland's last MGM film, this musical holds a special place in our hearts. Garland's spectacular number "Get Happy" blows the mind and reminds us that this is how we want to remember her and her career, and not her heartaches. Knowing that 1950 is a difficult point in Garland's life and career, watching Kelly handle her with loving care in this film is a delight to watch. His dance numbers are fantastic, as usual; and as always, he has his Kelly charm. Kelly's incomparable dancing and Garland's incomparable singing are what hold this film together. If you're a Garland and/or Kelly fan, this is a must watch!

Other reviewers have mentioned how lucky Judy was to have Gene for a friend. I agree. Looking at the two of them you could see the trust and friendship in their eyes. Gene holding her gently with caring hands. Judy warbling beautifully with a hint of sadness, an almost knowing in her eyes. I feel they were lucky to have each other. It was Judy Garland who lobbied hard 10 years earlier for Gene to co-star in " For Me And My Gal".

"Summer Stock" is that usual bit-o-MGM musical fluff. The same bit-o-fluff that Judy had spun into gold so many times before as in "Girl Crazy", "Easter Parade", and the like. It's every bit as good and wholesome family entertainment as Judy and MGM made before, but knowing it was to be her MGM swan song, and the cause of her ultimate rebirth, makes it that much more special and important.

Previous readers mentioned how Kelly would move on to more prestigious endeavors. I would like to mention, so too, Judy. She would only make a handful more precious pictures, but in them were some gems. She would recieve her only adult Oscar nominations for a supporting actress role in "Judgement at Nuremburg," and of course for her ultimate star turn as Esther Blodgett in "A Star Is Born." Isn't it funny how she could get such roles and recieve such recognition only away from MGM.

Post MGM Judy would continue to perform on radio including "The Bob Hope Show," and "The Bing Crosby Show." She would go on to record and sell millions of albums. Her guest starring on, and her own television specials were highly rated, and ultimately preluded her much revered and highly acclaimed "The Judy Garland Show." For you hipsters out there, she was an original member of the Holmby Hills "Rat Pack." But to me, it was her rebirth as a concert diva,artist/singer that showed she had the courage, talent and strength to leave her MGM years behind and forge new ground. She made over a thousand stage appearances. Here are some of her highlights:

*1951 A 4 week engagement at the London Palladium followed by a 6 week extended tour of the British Isles.
*1951 Her legendary record breaking 19 week 2-a-day engagement at New Yorks' famed Palace Theater.
*1952 4 week engagement at the Philharmonic Auditorium in Los Angeles.
*1961 Legendary Carnegie Hall performance remembered as the greatest single night in show business.(This concert was taped and later released as a double album. It was the first double album to sell a million copies. It stayed on the charts 94 weeks, 13 weeks at #1 and won 5 Grammy awards including best female vocalist and Album of the Year!)
*1967 Boston Common Concert performed before an estimated audience of 100,000 people.

In 1949, after being fired from "Annie Get Your Gun," top MGM management was ready to toss her to the wolves. Judy was broke, and LB Mayer took it upon himself to see Judy got proper medical treatment that ultimately MGM payed for. Hospitalized, Judy had to relearn how to eat and sleep properly without the use if pills and as a result she got well, but gained weight. Many viewers have harped on her appearance. I agree with a previous reviewer that @ a mere 105 pounds, on Judy, it looks healthy.

Judy, emotionally and physically well again wanted to work, and after the success of "In the Good Old Summertime," MGM was only too eager to oblige. The studio ordered her to lose weight thus restarting that vicious cycle of crash dieting, pill-popping, and all those insecurities and professional problems of the past started to creep back in again.

The MGM brass wasn't pleased with the final picture. Judy, vacationing in Carmel, was called back to bring in a show stopper. Judy agreed as long as it could be "Get Happy." It's obvious that the result was show business magic and that the "Get Happy" number a fitting swan song for Judy. Everyone thought that the "Get Happy" number was most likely filmed earlier on in her career. Wrong-o. On vacation, free from harassment from the studio and the press, the pounds had simply melted away on their own. Although Judy was actually terminated from MGM while filming "Royal Wedding," this was officially her last MGM picture. Goodbye MGM. Hello Mrs. Norman Maine?


FOR ALL GARLAND FANS:

The US Post Office has released the 12th stamp in their Legends of Hollywood series. The Judy Garland stamp is now on sale at your local Post Office. I think its beautifully done and that Judy Garland herself would be pleased. The stamps feature her head shot from an original "A Star Is Born" lobby card with her signature underneath. On the side is a large drawing of her from "The Wizard Of Oz." Its done in yellow and gold tones and will make lovely gifts for my nieces matted in a nice frame.

i loved this movie even though judy is obviously a little chubbier than her usual self she still sparkles in this 5 star movie. gene kelly's dancing and judy's beautifull voice will capture your heart as it did mine. i give this film a 10/10
i highly reccomend it to any judy or gene fan.

Just received my DVD copy. Warners have done it again. The Picture quality is magnificant and the sound superb. "Get Happy" looks as though it were filmed yesterday. Just glorious