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Summer Stock (1950) was Judy Garland's final film for M-G-M, and it is a must-see for every Garland fan. This movie also marks the third of three pairings of Judy and Gene Kelly. They starred together in Kelly's first picture, For Me and My Gal (1942), and Garland helped him out with lots of tips and encouragement then. This time, Kelly would be providing the support, as Judy was suffering from her drug addiction and consequent emotional and weight issues throughout filming. Despite Garland's sad situation, she turns in one of her best performances in the "Get Happy" number, which all fans of musicals ought to see. Judy plays Jane, who is struggling to keep the family farm running, and who has a long-standing engagement to Orville (Eddie Bracken), the son of the other important family in town. Jane's sister Abigail (Gloria DeHaven) is a flighty actress who is dating Joe (Kelly), an actor and director of low-budget musical revues. When Joe's theater company needs a stage to open its new show, Abigail offers him use of Jane's barn, unbeknownst to Jane. Joe's wild theater gang, including the humorous Phil Silvers as Joe's right-hand man, wreak havoc on Jane's farm, throwing her life into disarray. When Abigail abandons the show for a role in New York, Joe's left without a leading lady and an opening night quickly approaching. That's when he notices Jane can sing and dance, and after watching their rehearsals, she even knows Abigail's part. All she needs is the confidence to break out of her conservative life and take the stage, but her decision to do this will cause upheaval among the tradition-obsessed locals and Orville. Added to that, Jane no longer loves her fiance; she's falling for Joe. Summer Stock has several great musical numbers, including "Dig, Dig, Dig for Your Dinner," "Get Happy," "You Wonderful You," and another of Kelly's more imaginative dances, in which he uses a creaky board and an old newspaper with amazing results. It's worth watching the movie just to see this performance by Kelly. Although the film doesn't rise above the genre of the "let's put on a show" musicals of Judy's younger days with Mickey Rooney, Summer Stock is still a very enjoyable picture that will keep you entertained.Read full review
Garland's last film with MGM finds her in fine fettle (albeit a little heavy). Perhaps the finest all around talent of the 20th century, she spars delightfully with Gene Kelly and his group of actors who are putting on a show in her barn, courtesy of her sister, Gloria DeHaven. Fun supporting performances by Marjorie Main, Phil Silvers and Carleton Carpenter. After completing the film, a final "big" number was needed for Garland, who had already lost several pounds after completing filming. She was brought back to film the movies' best known number, "Get Happy", 20 pounds lighter and in the same costume used in a "cut-out" number from Easter Parade (Mr. Monotony). The effort resulted in one of the great moments in MGM musicals and it alone makes the film an absolute must-see. Other great moments include Gene Kelly's newspaper dance (a classic innovative prop dance that Astaire was so admired for)and a "challange dance" featuring Garland and Kelly. While Kelly was clearly the more accomplished dancer, It's impossible not to focus on Garland during the number, or anytime she appears on the screen. Not a great film, but like so many of the MGM musicals from the period, a fun, slick escape fantasy where a tube of greasepaint and two weeks of hard work can turn an ordinary person (in this case a farmer) into a star. Ah, the wonders of the dream factory. Personally, I think we still need it. The DVD starts with a fogetable little short (Judy Garland and Deana Durbin's first film effort for MGM - "Every Sunday" - Durbin was dropped only to go on to Universal)that can be skipped, but it does show the amazing raw talent and potential of these two remarkable children.Read full review
An innocent, completely "feel good" film. The musical numbers are worth watching again and again; some of them are "laugh out loud" material. [Listen for the classic line, 'See your dentist twice a year!' 'WHAT?!'} The dance routines are superb. Gene Kelly fans won't be disappointed. One sweet duet "You Wonderful You" was so popular it was used by Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore in the first season of "The Dick Van Dyke Show". The short at the beginning of the film is quite cute- an interesting combo of opera and "pop" of the day. As a big fan of musicals from this time period, "Summer Stock" remains one of my favorites. I believe it is Judy Garland and Gene Kelly's best film together.
A great movie featuring Gene Kelly and Phil Silvers and Judy Garland!!!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Great classic musical for those who like either Judy Garland or Gene Kelly, or even both. I love older movies like this though a lot of my generation probably have never heard of Gene Kelly (more than likely they know who Judy Garland is though from the Wizard of Oz). I'm a big fan of Doris Day, Judy Garland, Gene Kelly, Howard Keel, Frank Sinatra, among others. This is just more movie to add to my love of classic musicals
If you are as deep into Judy Garland as i am you can't be without this one, too.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
I had a copy of this DVD which got destroyed and needed another copy. Seen it many times.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Love this movie. Plays great.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Amazing movie! Just what I need it. No scratches. A crystal clear dvd.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned