Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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132 of 136 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great pair of musical talents take you back to a simpler time, June 14, 2007
This is the long awaited boxed set of four Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland musicals that includes a fifth bonus disc. The contents are as follows as described by a press release from Warner Home Video:
Babes in Arms (1939)
This is the first film the two did together and was adapted from the 1937 Rodgers and Hart Broadway hit of the same name. Busby Berkeley directed the film and also did the choreography. This film is being shown as it was in its initial release in 1939, complete with the minstrel numbers that might seem offensive today and a sequence involving the impersonation of FDR and Eleanor Roosevelt that was cut shortly after FDR's death since MGM didn't want to appear disrespectful under the circumstances. The plot is simple - Rooney plays a kid trying to prove his musical talent and therefore decides to put on a show. Garland plays another talented youngster who decides to help him do it.
DVD Special Features:
Introduction by Mickey Rooney
Commentary by historian John Fricke
Vintage Our Gang short Duel Personalities
Classic cartoon The Mad Maestro
1939 Newsreel with Mickey and Judy
Audio-only bonuses:
Leo Is on the Air radio promo
3 different radio shows with Rooney and Garland
Theatrical Trailer
Strike up the Band (1940)
This one has more of a plot than the first, plus some great music. Rooney plays self-involved musician Jimmy Conners who impresses bandleader Paul Whiteman so much that he offers him a job in New York City. However, a friend's medical emergency makes Rooney choose between his own plans and his friend's health, and he chooses his friend in the end. Rooney's character now has to come up with a way to replace the travel money. Busby Berkeley again provides the choreography and the direction in this film. Highlights include a big Busbv Berkeley production number called "Do The La Conga" and Rooney's "Drummer Boy" sequence. The film also features the Oscar-nominated song "Our Love Affair" and a rousing finale with the Gershwins' title tune.
DVD Special Features:
Introduction by Mickey Rooney
Pete Smith specialty comedy short Wedding Bills
Classic cartoon Romeo in Rhythm
"Do the La Conga" stereo remix version
Audio-only bonuses:
Leo Is on the Air radio promo
Millions for Defense radio special with Mickey and Judy
Additional radio show with Rooney and Garland
Theatrical Trailer
Babes on Broadway (1941)
Rooney plays Tommy Williams, a singer in a restaurant who wants a shot at Broadway. Garland plays Penny Morris, and Williams uses her interest in orphaned children to come up with the idea of "putting on a show" to send them on a vacation in the country. However, Williams really is only interested in self-promoting his talent, not the orphans. However, in the end, he learns his lesson. Musical highlights include the song "How About You', Rooney's impersonation of Carmen Miranda, and a massive Busby Berkeley finale which was featured in 1974's "That's Entertainment!".
DVD Special Features:
Introduction by Mickey Rooney
Pete Smith Specialty comedy short How to Hold Your Husband Back
Classic cartoon Dance of the Weed
Audio-only bonuses:
Two Leo Is on the Air Radio Promos
Radio Show Adaptation of Merton of the Movies with Rooney and Garland
Chin Up! Cheerio! Carry On Song Demo performed by composer Burton Lane
Theatrical Trailer
Girl Crazy (1943)
This is the strongest of the four included films. This time Norman Taurog shares direction duties with Busby Berkeley. Here Rooney plays Danny Churchill, a rich college kid that is partying more than he is studying. His father sends him to an all-male college in the middle of nowhere where he can regain his focus. However, Danny does fall for the one eligible female in the hundred mile radius of the school - the dean's granddaughter, Ginger Gray (Garland). Ginger, however, is more concerned that the college is in danger of closing than in Danny's advances. She enlists Danny's help to see that the school stays open. Songs include "Embraceable You," "Fascinating Rhythm," "Bidin' My Time," and a the Garland solo "But Not for Me." Of course there is a huge Busby Berkeley finale done to Gershwin's "I Got Rhythm", with Mickey, Judy, a large supporting cast, and Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra.
DVD Special Features:
Introduction by Mickey Rooney
Commentary by historian John Fricke
Vintage short Hollywood Daredevils
Classic cartoon The Early Bird Dood It
I Got Rhythm stereo remix version
Audio-only bonus: Bronco Busters Outtake
Theatrical Trailer
Finally there is a bonus disc with over three hours of extras that include:
Private Screenings with Mickey Rooney - 1996 TCM special hosted by Robert Osborne
The Judy Garland Songbook- A superb collection of 21 complete, magical Judy Garland musical numbers spanning her many films from 1936-1954
Mickey and Judy Trailer Gallery
The bottom line on this set is that if you are looking for "Gone with the Wind" level serious drama and you don't like great music look elsewhere. However, if you are looking for charming escapist musical entertainment, these films fit the bill. After all, they were made so that troubled audiences could get away from it all during troubled times - the pre and early World War II era. Plus it looks like Warner Home Video has continued their "Film School in a Box" tradition with this set that I have grown to like so much.
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42 of 42 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gloriously packaged, September 27, 2007
So often, it seems to me, Judy Garland dvd box-sets raise the standard of excellence for all manufacturers of DVDs to aspire to. This newest Judy-Mickey collection is no exception, it is a stunningly satisfying experience to read the 48 page (hardback) guide, and the very generous collection of 20 high-quality large postcards in the portfolio binder takes you back almost 70 years to when these films were made.
The hardback book includes reproductions of what seem to be newspaper ads, lobby cards, miniature poster reproductions along with John Fricke's meticulous research and unparallaled knowledge of all-things-Garland lovingly stamped all over this collection before you even pop in the first DVD to watch. The 5th bonus DVD features more than 20 Garland performances spanning 1938 through 1954 as well as 10 trailers for the Garland-Rooney film collaborations & TCM's Robert Osbourne hosting his 'Private Screenings' interview with Rooney.
It just doesn't get any better for vintage film collectors, in terms of value and content. It's a total explosion for the senses to unwrap this package and take it all in; the extraordinary art design, layout, and such a brilliantly realized concept- from the fonts used; to the glossy, higher-quality paper than one would expect in the 'Bonus DVD & Guide' book, this is a first class product all-around that deserves to be a huge success.
Turner Entertainment Co./Warner Home Video and Mr. Fricke have all outdone themselves with this release. Easily the best value of any box-set DVD I have purchased in more than a year, which should be used as a blueprint for any (or every!) upcoming DVD release, which so often don't include so much as an insert.
Outstanding!
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28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
What a Team!, September 29, 2007
Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland are one of the best teams in movie history ranking with Laurel and Hardy, Irene Dunne and Cary Grant, and Doris Day and Rock Hudson in terms of chemistry. Each were bursting with talent both musical and theatrical, so their films together jumped from the screen. Here are their four most popular and profitable ventures featuring excellent musical scores and simple stories about show business.
Babes in Arms is notable as the first smash hit Garland and Rooney teaming. It was adapted from a stage play for the screen, and probably lost some appeal in the transition. What stands is an okay film with a great cast and some interesting musical numbers. A group of vaudevillians led by Joe Moran (Charles Winninger) are planning a big comeback to the stage, although vaudeville is losing its audience. Their kids want to help, but are brushed away. Moran's son Mickey (Mickey Rooney) brings the kids together to perform their own show and to prove to the adults that they can hold their own on a stage. Mickey's girl Patsy (Judy Garland) intends to play the lead, but Mickey thinks "Baby Rosalie" (June Preisser) might draw a bigger audience. And they have to battle Mrs. Steele (Margaret Hamilton) who wants to put them all into school.
With lots of notable songs like "Good Morning," in its best form here with the jazz stylings of Garland's vocals and Rooney's piano playing, it's the catchiest song of the film. Most of the others are medleys with good and bad parts. Betty Jaynes and Douglas McPhail sing a few songs in their operatic style, which will be less appealing to mass audiences. The blackface routine might offend some audiences today, but it is really a tribute to the minstrel shows that Mickey's father started his career in. Rooney does an impression of Eddie Cantor in blackface, and also his impersonation of Clark Gable and Lionel Barrymore. However, none of the medleys have the energy that most Garland/Rooney numbers have, so they disappoint, possibly because the spotlight is shared with the lesser talented members of the cast.
Strike Up the Band is an outstanding musical about a group of kids who adore music. Jimmy Connors (Rooney) loves playing the drums, so much so that he scorns girls and goes against his mother's ambitions for him to become a doctor. He ropes a bunch of his friend into forming an orchestra, something more fun than just the school band, and recruits Mary for a singer (Garland). Mary is in love with Jimmy, but he has no time for women, even though a new girl in town (Preisser) tries to change his mind.
The music in this film is a lot of fun. "Our Love Affair" is a cute song, but it features an absolutely strange presentation of animated fruit playing instruments. This segment was done by uncredited animator George Pal. Very early in the movie is the famous "The Conga" number, a high energy exhibition of one of the eras dance crazes. No matter how many times you see clips of this number in documentaries, it never gets old, and that is thanks to the boundless energy of Rooney and Garland who just leap from the screen. The next best song is performed at a party; Garland sings "Let the Drummer Boy Play" while Rooney goes crazy on the drums. Some people might be a bit put off by how over the top Rooney is in these sorts of movies, but he's so lovable that even if he looks ridiculous, you can't help but laugh and enjoy it. The finale is somewhat of a letdown, though it does include medleys of the previously performed songs which saves it, but "Strike up the Band" is far too tame to end such a great film.
In Babes on Broadway, Rooney plays a guy who feels it is his destiny to make it big on Broadway. Although Garland has similar ambitions, she is not willing to step on other people to get what she wants. The two team up to start their own musical extravaganza to raise money for some poor children to visit the country, a dream that though promised has never materialized. With lots of talent in their hands but many problems to face, they unravel a simple but fun story.
Garland is at her most beautiful in this film, a true joy to watch. Seeing this film would make you think she'd be soon jumping into films as a romantic lead, not struggling to grow up on the screen. Her magical voice was both an asset and her downfall; it kept her typecast in sunny musicals. Rooney is a ball of energy as always, but somehow even moreso than ever. His impression of Carmen Miranda is very funny. His love for showing off is really catching, like a puppy doing tricks. Virginia Weidler does a good job as well as a secondary character and Ray McDonald does a great job dancing. Busby Berkeley directs the musical numbers, which is obvious by some of the overhead shots and the choreography.
Finally we have Girl Crazy, the story of a playboy Danny (Mickey Rooney) from New York whose father has had enough of his behavior. He is sent to an all boy's school out in the west where the boys get up promptly at 5:45, rarely shower, and find solace in riding horses all day. Danny certainly doesn't fit in, but he finds he can't complain too much thanks to the presence of Ginger (Judy Garland), the Dean's grand daughter and one of the prettiest girls he's ever seen. When the school is threatened to close, the two join up to find a way to save it.
Rooney is a barrel of fun in this film; his energy is contagious. He's hamming it up in every scene, especially in the "I Got Rhythm" finale. Although he isn't the most handsome of men, he really pulls off being a charming ladies' man, much like he was in life at this time. Garland is breathtakingly gorgeous throughout the film. Her natural charms, heartbreaking voice, and gentle sweetness add up for an amazing character and performance. June Allyson makes her first appearance in an opener that catches the attention quite well. She seems confident, but it is interesting to know that after each song she had to sing on a film, she threw up in the bathroom.
The songs in this film were later compiled for the musical Crazy For You. The lyrics were changed slightly to fit the altered plot, so if one is familiar with that show, it is interesting to see this film too.
There is a bonus disk of materials to supplement the commentaries, short subjects, and radio presentations on the movie disks. Here we find Rooney's interview with Robert Osbourne on TCM's Private Screenings, Rooney and Garland movie trailers, and Garland's songbook, a compilation of songs from Judy's career in films.
The packaging for this DVD is absolutely wonderful. There are three sections in the box. The first contains the disks for the four films. My only complaint is that they are stacked on top of each other, which can be mildly annoying. However, the booklet features great photo collages for each Rooney and Garland. The second section in the box is a folder of stills from the making of the films; it is an excellent bonus for fans. Each photo is interesting and most are uncommon. The third section contains the bonus features DVD with a booklet of information about each of the film including scene selections and supplemental materials.
This set is perfect for musical lovers, teens looking for more wholesome entertainment, or classic movie fans who can't get enough of Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland.
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