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June’s character: Specialty Mickey Rooney, Judy Garland, Gershwin music. And Tommy Dorsey to play it. Who could ask for anything more? From Garland's rendition of "But Not For Me" to the grand finale of " I Got Rhythm", Girl Crazy is one of the most buoyant tunefests ever put on screen. Rich kid Danny Churchill (Rooney) has a taste for wine, women and song but not for the higher education. So his father ships him to an all-male college out West where there's not supposed to be a female for miles. But before Danny arrives, he spies a pair of legs extending out from under a stalled roadster. They belong to the dean's granddaughter Ginger Gray (Garland), who is more interested in keeping the financially strapped college open than falling for Danny's romantic line. At least at first. George and Ira Gershwin's magical score (also featuring "Embraceable You" and "Bidin' My Time") will have you humming. Featured players June Allyson (in her screen debut, singing the song "Treat Me Rough") and Nancy Walker will leave you smiling. Dorsey and his band will keep you dancing. You won't require anything more: Go Girl Crazy and have a ball! Directed by Norman Taurog, produced by Arthur freed. 
BEST FOOT FORWARD – MGM - COLOR June’s character: Ethel (yet she played the part of Minerva on Broadway) Watch out! That dizzy, unpredictable redhead, Lucille Ball, is about to invade a military school. With a bright cast of rising young stars and a batch of bouncy tunes, Best Foot Forward is a joyful, light-hearted Technicolor musical. In this delightful version of the stage hit, Lucy plays a movie queen who, to boost her waning popularity, accepts the invitation of young cadet (Tommy Dix) at Winsocki Military Institute to be his date at the senior prom. Before long the trouble and the laughs are under way as Lucy, the cadets and their eager girlfriends converge on campus for the festivities. Of course, they often stop chasing each other long enough to sing and dance to some lively tunes, including "The Three B's," "Ev'ry Time" and the rousing "Buckle Down Winsocki," the song that had Broadway audiences cheering for months. June Allyson, Nancy Walker and Gloria DeHaven add to the merriment, and Harry James and his Music Makers keep toes tapping with their exhilarating music. A giddy, gaudy package of vintage entertainment, Best Foot Forward was hailed by the New York Times as "a rollicking musical film that pops with hilarious situations, sparkling dialogue and the spirit of youth." Directed by Edward Buzzell, produced by Arthur Freed. 
THOUSANDS CHEER – MGM - COLOR June’s character: Guest Star Thousands Cheer developed into a huge all-star extravaganza. Gene Kelly, Kathryn Grayson and John Boles played out the Paul Garrico-Richard Collins Story, aided by Mary Astor, pianist-conductor Jose Iturbi in his acting debut, Ben Blue, Frances Rafferty, Frank Jenks, Dick Simmons and Frank Sully. But the trimmings, in the form of an army camp concert, took over the screen, the publicity and the box office. There were numbers and sketches by Kelly, Miss Grayson, Iturbi, Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney, Eleanor Powell, Red Skelton, Ann Southern, Lucille Ball, Frank Morgan, Lena Horne, Margaret O’Brien, June Allyson, Gloria DeHaven, Virginia O’Brien, Marsha Hunt, Marilyn Maxwell, Donna Reed, John Conte, Sara Haden. Plus the bands of Kay Kyser, Bob Crosby, Benny Carter. Plus a symphony orchestra. Plus a military band. Music ranged from Judy’s "The Joint Is Really Jumpin" and June, Gloria, and Virginia's "In A Little Spanish Town" to "United Nations on the March," commissioned by MGM from Shostakovich. Directed by George Sydney, produced by Joe Pasternak. |
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