Loco por ellas

I ignored this movie for years thinking it was just another over-exuberant essay in the over-abundant MGM collection of sappy adolescent musicals. I'm glad that listening to an English revival of the original musical finally motivated me to watch it, because some of the best musical numbers ever put on film are here. Busby Berkeley started as the director but was replaced for supposedly tyrannical behavior. His production numbers appear at the end and are quite amazing, choreographing "I've Got Rhythm" with guns and bullwhips. All the numbers on this movie are quite exceptional, in particular "Biding My Time" one of the Gershwin brothers' finest and most surprising tunes, but also "Treat Me Rough" and "Could You Use Me". And the arrangements are some of the best I've ever heard, anticipating the harmonies of the Hi-Los and the Four Freshmen by a decade and a half. Judy has never looked prettier nor sung as purely and Mickey pulls out all the stops without (well, almost) going over the top. He even plays a terrific piano solo, with Tommy Dorsey! I never get tired of watching this movie. It's an explosion of pure pleasure.

Talent like that, when not together in the same film, make any of their work worth seeing. When together in the same film, the results are unmissable. While Mickey Rooney is a take/leave performer dependent on the material to me, Judy Garland and the Gershwin Brothers are lifelong favourites and Busby Berkeley has done some of the most jaw-dropping routines in musicals.

If one is a fan of at least one of these people, 'Girl Crazy' is a must watch. As far as Rooney and Garland pairings go, it's one of their better efforts and as a musical it's incredible. People may find faults with it as an overall film, but it succeeds mostly brilliantly for what it is and what it aimed to do.

'Girl Crazy' is not quite flawless, but the cons are far outweighed by the pros and the pros are enormous. The story is thin and silly with parts being wrapped up too easily and a few of Rooney's antics are somewhat overdone and hammy.

However, even when not in Technicolor (imagine how even better "I Got Rhythm" would have been), 'Girl Crazy' still looks lovely in crisp black and white and with elegant production design. It particularly shines in Garland's "But Not For Me" which sees her at perhaps her most luminous. George and Ira Gershwin's songs are simply magnificent, especially "I Got Rhythm" (one of their most famous, iconic even, songs for a reason), "Bidin' My Time" and "Embraceable You". A big honourable mention is "But Not For Me", of which there has never been a more touching rendition of.

The songs are further benefited from being staged in a great mix of liveliness and tenderness. The big finale for "I Got Rhythm" is a little overblown but extraordinary in energy, charm and spectacle, though also loved the sophistication for "Could You Use Me?". In general too, they are phenomenally performed, the prime examples being "But Not For Me" and the dynamite contribution from Tommy Dorsey.

Scripting is suitably witty and there is tremendous energy and charm throughout. Rooney is more restrained than usual yet still has his boundless energy, even better is luminous and affecting Garland in magisterial voice. Their chemistry is wonderful and gels very well indeed and more. Rags Ragland and Nancy Walker are standouts in support.

Overall, hugely entertaining and while not quite a masterpiece 'Girl Crazy's' a must watch. 8/10 Bethany Cox

Put aside any preconceptions about "Mickey and Judy" movies. In fact, put aside the film entirely. It's watchable, but who cares? The reason to see this film is for the fantastic arrangements of some of Gershwin's best songs.

Hugh Martin and Ralph Blaine, soon to be famous for their score for "Meet Me in St. Louis," gave the Gershwins' score (their best show), the five-star treatment with fantastic vocal arrangements - though I'm sure Roger Edens also had a hand in there.

What you get are versions that make these great songs sound even better. "Bidin' My Time," which can be a sleeper if done badly, turns into a rich counterpoint between Judy and a male quartet. "Embraceable You" is given an easy, lightly swinging full choral arrangement after Judy has her turn, and "I Got Rhythm" is taken over the top with Tommy Dorsey and the "Six Hits and A Miss" backing Judy perfectly.

But the piece de resistance is Dorsey's arrangement of "Fascinatin' Rhythm," presented first as a typical swing arrangement (and a great one at that), and then with Mickey playing (appearing to play, actually), a piano solo a la Gershwin's "Variations on I Got Rhythm," complete with hand-crossing and all George's piano tricks - fantastic! Add to this Judy's painfully tender version of "But Not For Me," June Allyson's debut performance of "Treat Me Rough," and you have one of the best film scores ever. ("Bronco Busters," unfortunately cut from the film, is available on CD - in stereo, as are all the tracks.)

If you are a Gershwin fan, this film is a treasure. Thank god they didn't throw out the best songs, as was done a few years earlier when Rodgers & Hart's equally impressive score for "Babes In Arms" was butchered for that film. I guess you had to be dead before your work was treated with respect in Hollywood!

The plot's ridiculous. Garland and Rooney are young and magical. Seeing Tommy Dorsey's orchestra at work is wonderful.

The movie's finale is a musical number, "I Got Rhythm", directed by Busby Berkeley. As with all the great Berkeley musical scenes, it's a unique vision. The camera moves and staging are masterful. Transcendent, even. I'd love to be a fly on the wall while this scene was being thought up and worked on.

Something I haven't seen commented on: Rooney's radio impressions, given while he and Garland wait to see the governor. Kinda fun. Mickey channels his inner Robin Williams.

Despite the plot absence, put this on your must-see list if you're serious about developing cinematic literacy.

Mickey Rooney is hilarious, Judy Garland charms your socks off with her incredible talent, Busby Berkely adds his genius, Norman Taurog is in top form, and Tommy Dorsey swings the joint with his big band in this exceptional MGM wartime Musical. Top it off with a superb Gershwin's score, Rags Ragland, Nancy Walker and June Allyson in solid supporting roles and you have one helluva entertaining songfest.

What more can you ask for? If this one doesn't make you laugh and tap your toes nothing will. Sure it's fluff but oh what good fluff! Escapist fun in 1943 and just as good now. Judy and Mickey were always great together and made some decent musicals, but this is the best I've seen. A thorough delight from start to finish.

What talent Hollywood once had that is gone forever. There's more entertainment value in the first 25 minutes of this picture than in most current films I've seen lately combined.

See it. It's a gem.