Summer Stock (1950)

We Love Judy! And after this we Love Gene, too!

My 4 yr old son is in love with Judy Garland. She is immortal & ageless in films. He also Loves Elvis. We rented this film from our library soo many times that I decided it was time to purchase it! I love encouraging my children to see old films like this one. They don't make movie stars like they used to! April 7, 2008

"Forget your troubles come on, GET HAPPY!"

In her last musical for MGM and her final film with Gene Kelly, Judy Garland plays Jane Falbury, a struggling farmer. Originally intended as a vehicle to re-team Judy Garland with Mickey Rooney, the studio decided, instead, to use Gene Kelly in the role of Joe Ross, as Mickey Rooney was no longer the box-office draw he had been. Of course, Gene was the perfect choice to replace Mickey Rooney, as he and Judy had been good friends since their first movie together in 1942's "For Me and My Gal."
When Jane Falbury's (Judy Garland) younger sister Abigail (Gloria DeHaven) invites her boyfriend Joe Ross (Gene Kelly) to rehearse the Broadway show he is producing in their barn, Jane isn't thrilled! Especially after one of the cast members crashes her brand new tractor (oops)! However, she soon changes her mind and lets them use the barn if they help out with the farm chores. Well, Abigail ends up running away with an actor, Jane and Joe end up falling in love and she takes Abigail's place as the show's lead and turns it into a smash!

So watch "Summer Stock," listen to some "Heavenly Music" and "Get Happy"! February 26, 2008

"And then they dance."

Judy Garland and Gene Kelly star in this extravagantly entertaining backstage musical. Jane Falbury (Garland) is a simple farmer whose major worry is how she is going to make enough money to keep her family farm. Her younger sister Abigail (Gloria deHaven) isn't like the rest of her family; she's taken with show business, so much so, in fact, that she brings her acting troupe back home to perform in the barn. Jane isn't too happy about the decision, but is soon charmed by the ambitious bunch and agrees to let them stay on the condition that they earn their keep. Abigail's boyfriend Joe Ross (Kelly) leads the group and does his best to win Jane over, with extreme results.

Garland's appearance is a bit jarring here. For a girl who was given only chicken broth to eat for years, her physique is quite healthy here, but she is no less beautiful than in her early days. In fact there are times when she is even more beautiful because she looks happy and comfortable in this film. Some of that comes from her vulnerability, which indeed was real. She was suffering from severe drug addiction during the making of Summer Stock. The most memorable song is the famous "Get Happy" that she skillfully puts over; her weight is different here because it was filmed later than the rest of the movie. Garland's chemistry with Kelly is intense, and he looks more attractive here than in any other film I have seen him in. His easy smile and magnetic charm makes show business seem wonderfully worthwhile, and with this music and these characters, it is hard not to want to perform right along with the stars on the screen. January 2, 2008

Perfect musical confection

Much has been written about the troubles on this production; how Judy's illnesses forced delay after delay...so long that even the supporting dancers would move onto other projects. None of this shows on screen. Garland's vocals are strong, and the songs she sings are memorable. Her Portland Fancy dance duet with Gene Kelly makes you wish they had more opportunities to work together; it has to be one of the top dance duets filmed at MGM. She more than keeps up with him, and it is Judy that your eye is drawn to as you watch the two of them. Her solo song, "Friendly Star" is heartbreaking, especially the tearful closeup at the end. Sure, the plot is predictable, and a little hokey at times, but with a strong supporting cast and a witty script, this delightful movie could be enjoyed over and over again. The "Get Happy" number is a fantastic showstopper that is among the most memorable and sadly, her last filmed number at MGM. September 6, 2007

Newspaper headline: "There's no place like home." (recommended)

Despite the goofy plot of a Broadway-style production in a barnyard, SUMMER STOCK is the movie I have been searching for. This is the one where ever-animated Joe D. Ross (Gene Kelly) does his dance with the newspaper, neatly halving and quartering it with his toes. New England farmer Jane Falbury (Judy Garland) is all grown up as she taps her heels to prove there is no place like home. Herb Blake (Phil Silvers) provides supporting slapstick joke and dance routines to round out the hour and 49 minutes of musical romance.

This crisp and bright color film transfer immortalizes Garland's final film for MGM and the last onscreen pairing of her and Gene Kelly. SUMMER STOCK and COVER GIRL are two movies that really demonstrate the agility and creative genius of Gene Kelly. While the paper tearing in SUMMER STOCK is smooth, his power, rhythm, and balance during the song "Dig! Dig! Dig!" are electrifying.

Noticeably a few pounds lighter in her post-production shoot of the apparently prophetic "Judgment Day" lines in the "Get Happy" grand finale routine, Garland presents one of the most memorable performances of her career. In the same year, she was terminated from MGM.

Movie quote: "We're trying to tell a story with music, and song, and dance." February 25, 2007

More reviews at Amazon.com ...