It's another Mickey and Judy "Let's put on a show" film, this time set in the wild west and based on a 1930 stage musical by the Gershwins. The film of Girl Crazy was released in 1943 and uses all Gershwin tunes, but not all the songs from the stage version. I have downloaded a recording of songs from the stage version, but haven't listened to it yet. I do know that Ethel Merman was in the original stage cast and introduced "I Got Rythm" and another song that didn't make it to the film, "Sam and Delilah."
I was excited in the opening credits to see both June Allyson and Nancy Walker credited. These would have been early films for both these performers. Well both are underused in a score that is really heaped on Garland and Rooney. Ms. Allyson has the opening song of the film, but is an anonymous nightclub singer, not an actual character. Ms. Walker doesn't sing at all. I suspect something ended up on the cutting room floor.
Girl Crazy
Music by George Gershwin
Lyrics by Ira Gershwin
Stage version premiered in 1930
Film released by MGM in 1943
Cast: Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney, Nancy Walker, June Allyson, Tommy Dorsey and his orchestra
I was excited in the opening credits to see both June Allyson and Nancy Walker credited. These would have been early films for both these performers. Well both are underused in a score that is really heaped on Garland and Rooney. Ms. Allyson has the opening song of the film, but is an anonymous nightclub singer, not an actual character. Ms. Walker doesn't sing at all. I suspect something ended up on the cutting room floor.
Girl Crazy
Music by George Gershwin
Lyrics by Ira Gershwin
Stage version premiered in 1930
Film released by MGM in 1943
Cast: Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney, Nancy Walker, June Allyson, Tommy Dorsey and his orchestra
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