Listen, Darling

This movie is pure unadulterated schmaltz. It was schmaltz before schmaltz was schmaltzy! But was one of the most enjoyable movies I've ever seen. It was great to see the three young actors (Judy Garland, right before her rise with the Wizard of Oz; Freddie Bartholomew, just as his star was starting to face; and Scotty Beckett, a former Our Gang star who played numerous supporting roles in the 30s), hold their own with three seasoned veterans (Mary Astor, Walter Pigeon and Alan Hale, Sr.).

The plot is contrived, the conclusion predictable, the setting a bit outdated (women were only trained to be homemakers, leaving widows with children in danger of poverty) and the situation completely contrived, but there is nothing to not enjoy in this pure piece of entertainment from Hollywood's Golden Age.

Enjoy it, try not to roll your eyes too much, and recommend it to your friends! They just don't make movies like they used to.

At a school ceremony, plucky Judy Garland (as "Pinkie" Wingate) sings after boyfriend Freddie Bartholomew (as Herbert "Buzz" Mitchell) delivers a speech. The teenagers fret about Ms. Garland's widowed mother Mary Astor (as Dorothy "Dottie" Wingate) deciding to marry a stuffy banker Gene Lockhart (as Arthur Drubbs), for financial security. To prevent the wedding, Mr. Bartholomew conspires with Garland to "kidnap" Ms. Astor and cute little Scotty Becket (as Billie Wingate).

The quartet ride around in a trailer. They meet distinguished Walter Pidgeon (as Richard Thurlow) and wealthy Alan Hale (as J.J. Slattery), both prospective husbands for mother Astor. An excellent studio version of Garland's "Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart" was recorded for Decca in 1939; for some reason, it was unreleased as a hit single until 1943. The tune is a highlight. The songs in "Listen, Darling" have more "Zing" than the script, but the young co-stars are engaging.

***** Listen, Darling (10/18/38) Edwin L. Marin ~ Judy Garland, Freddie Bartholomew, Mary Astor, Walter Pidgeon

Judy and Freddie team up and kidnap Judy's mom ( Mary Astor ) in a trailer in an effort to prevent her mother from marrying the town banker , which the mother does not love. In route they meet a photographer ( Walter Pigeon ) who falls in love with Judy's Mom. The scenes with her little brother are really funny coupled with Judy singing "Zing, Went the Strings of my Heart" made this a treat for my daughter and myself to watch. A great movie to watch on a quiet afternoon or late at night.

Judy Garland is concerned that mom Mary Astor might be marrying prim and proper banker Gene Lockhart for all the wrong reasons. She concocts a scheme with friend Freddie Bartholomew to kidnap mom and little brother Scotty Beckett in a motor home and head for the open road so she can see what's out there.

I know it sounds like a crazy plot, but it actually is both funny and charming. Judy gets to introduce one of her standards, Zing When the Strings of My Heart and later on during a thunderstorm she comforts Scotty Beckett with the song It's Raining Ten Pins in the Sky. Of course that is a total ripoff of what Bing Crosby sang in the exact same situation in Pennies from Heaven, but who cares.

On the road the family meets both Walter Pigeon and Alan Hale, both more acceptable choices for the widow Astor. Who does she choose. You'll have to sit through Judy Garland singing some really nice songs in her inimitable style to find out.

Not a bad trade, not a bad trade at all.

Yes, it's predictable and far-fetched, but utterly charming. What a pleasant way to while away an hour or so. It's my first time seeing Mary Astor in one of her mum roles & she radiated so much warmth. Walter Pidgeon is also very charming. Lovely to see a young Judy Garland - that voice - and an older Freddie Bartholomew. The low point was the youngest kid who was a real brat. Like a number of films of that era, the ending felt a bit rushed. It's almost as if they said: Oops, we've hit the hour mark. Let's wrap this up. I definitely recommend it. 😀