Babes in Arms film on DVD

This was not the show that Rodgers and Hart wrote, but rather a hodge-podge of songs by many different writers put together into a show-with-in-a-show. It may be called Babes in Arms, but it clearly went through a lot of different hands, too. This film does not stand the test of time, even with Mickey Rooney, Judy Garland and that "Gosh, kids, let's put on a musical" spunk.

I saw the stage version in concert with orchestra, a la City Center Encores several years ago. The big numbers in the show are "My Funny Valentine" and "Johnny One-Note"; both are excised from the film. Included in the film is a strange version of the title song, during which the young cast wields torches and builds a big fire in the street--like they are villagers calling out the monster (which in this case is their parents). There is also an extended minstral show number with Rooney and Garland--along with the afore-mentioned young cast--in blackface.

One fun casting note--Margaret Hamilton (who played the Wicked Witch of the West) is the villian in Babes, too, although doesn't have a scene directly with Judy Garland.

Some nice numbers have been inserted, including "Good Morning" most well-known as sung by Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds in Singin' in the Rain. There is a fun duet for Garland and "legit" singer Betty Jaynes called "I like Opera/I Like Swing" that is a rip-off of the duet Garland did with Deanna Durbin in a short film earlier in her career. Babe's "legit" baritone is Douglas MacPhail, who sings "Where or When" which is from the original Broadway show.

I need to find a recording of the real Babes in Arms to remind myself that Rodgers and Hart created good shows.

Babes In Arms
Based on the musical by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart
With additional music by Roger Edens and Arthur Freed
Directed by Busby Berkeley
Released by MGM in 1939
Cast: Mickey Rooney, Judy Garland, Douglas MacPhail, Betty Jaynes, Charles Winniger, Margaret Hamilton