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Sadly Over-hyped

Far from Perfect, Far from Terrible

Don't listen to the negative reviews

I really enjoyed this one, perfect hot lazy Saturday afternoon entertainment for me. Judy Garland as always is a treat to watch. This time the songbook isn't too memorable (apart from that great ensemble number near the beginning), and John Hodiak is sort of creepy as her leading man (his teeth and moustache look weird--he has none of the earthy sexuality of "Lifeboat"), but nevertheless I thought it was pretty good. It had enough humour, spots of melodrama and light musical numbers to keep me interested throughout. Plus, the colour is gorgeous, looking fantastic there on my HD TV. A young Cyd Charisse plays one of the "Harvey Girls", and she doesn't really get much of a chance to display her dancing talents, but she's still lovely to watch. Hard to believe Angela Lansbury was so young when she made this movie (early 20's I believe). Why did they turn her into a madam before her time? George Sidney, reliable MGM hand, directs and it's some of the best work I've seen from him yet. Apart from the ballads, the musical numbers are very fluid.

Even though the film starred Judy Garland, what I really enjoyed about The Harvey Girls is that it operates as an ensemble musical, giving features and spotlight numbers to just about everyone in the mammoth cast. This kind of thing is usually reserved for stage musicals only, but back in 1946 MGM's roster of talent was strong, if not yet infamous. Players like deadpan comic Virginia O'Brien and dancer Cyd Charisse were fairly new back then, but this film gives them individual spotlights: not only do they both sing with Garland in the nighttime ballad "It's A Great Big World," but O'Brien gets to sing "The Wild, Wild West" (while assisting blacksmith Ray Bolger in shoeing a horse) and Charisse gets to dance (briefly) opposite Kenny Baker singing "Wait And See." Marjorie Main leads the Harvey waitresses through "The Train Must Be Fed;" Angela Lansbury is featured in two saloon numbers, and Ray Bolger gets to do some of his rubber-legged clowning at the Harvey House party. And, of course, everyone on the planet is assembled for the big, eight minute production number "On The Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe." There's literally something for everyone- even the oil-and-water romance between Garland and John Hodiak. And they shine as well, even if Hodiak wasn't the most well-known leading man. Check out this wonderfully scored, written, acted, and costumed tribute to old-fashioned Americana.

Susan Bradley( Judy garland) goes out on an adventure with hope that her new husband is and wonderful and gorgeous as his letters. On the train going to Sandrock a little mining town, she meets the "Harvey Girls", girls who leave home to be waitresses at "The Harvey House". And how they meet is when they see Susan has nothing to eat except literally a couple of crumbs. They offer her a sandwich, which she accepts and while she's eating it, they all ask her why she's going to Sandrock. She tells them all about her new husband Mr H.H. Hartsey "esquire" (Chill Wills) She reads them the letters which she finds out soon that are fake. When the get off the train Mr. Hartsey mistakes the Harvey House cook for Susan. He kisses her and she gives him a beating while the whole train station laughs. But Before this happens they all sing for literally I think about half an hour. (I fast-forwarded it. Warning: never watch this with someone who remembers this when it came out! I watched it with my grandma who thought the singing was good and wouldn't let me skip it!) After they leave the train station and Susan finds out Who's letters they are actually written by, She confronts Mr. Ned Trent about it. She tells him "Oh I'm just someone who doesn't like you Mr.Trent. I don't know if you're a thief or a murderer but I know one thing,you're worse! You're a yellow dog Mr.Trent, Good-day!" And when he goes after her out side she says "You mean I've come 2 thousand miles for a joke?! wouldn't you just love it if I went back home?! Me and all the other nice girls that came out here today! If I have anything to say about it you're going to have to eat all those pretty letters you wrote and yes I hope you choke on them too!" Thus the western romance begins. So Watch this movie girls! you'll adore it!

Very appealing MGM musical with wonderful songs, colorful production, Judy Garland at the peak of her feisty charms. In the burgeoning days of train transportation, women are needed to work the eateries scattered throughout the Southwest; in a small New Mexico town, Judy decides to ditch her mail-order marriage for a waitressing job, but she soon finds love again. "On The Atchinson, Topeka and The Santa Fe" won a Best Song Oscar, and deservedly so; this grand number gets the full treatment, and is so exuberantly staged it becomes a classic by itself. The picture does runs short of ideas and inspiration near the end, leading to a poorly-staged romantic finale, yet the supporting cast is excellent, particularly Angela Lansbury as a jealous showgirl. *** from ****