Lily Mars vedette

Too bad that JUDY GARLAND was at her most attractive, photographed with great skill and looking fabulous--while coping with a script that had to be an insult to anyone's intelligence--even way back in 1943!

VAN HEFLIN proves that he had a certain comic flair (although a little exaggerated) and was certainly worthy of a better role than the one he copes with here. Supporting players Spring Byington and Fay Bainter lend solid support--but it's all just too weak in the story department for anyone to overcome the ridiculous script.

Judy manages to get through the material in good shape--showing comic skill in many scenes and emotional maturity in others. The ending is rather predictable and is followed by a show biz finale that seems to be tacked on to give the film a plush fade-out in which Garland has a change to dazzle us with her musical talent. Which she does.

But, all in all, lacks the charm and credibility it should have had to make it truly worth watching. Among the supporting players, Connie Gilchrist and Richard Carlson do some nice work. Carlson is surprisingly gifted at comedy and should have attempted more such roles.

Worth noting: the doorknob business is the only original touch in the whole show!

First of all, she never looked better... sort of the apotheosis of all that evil energy MGM spent in turning Frances Gumm into Judy Garland. Blondish (and not a wig), thin (but not too thin), energized and comic (working her mannerisms rather than the reverse), and she sounds great. Moreover, Hollywood and Tarkington were made for each other, and the payoff works here as well. Clever americana, with truly inspired set pieces surrounding Judy's attempts to get "discovered" by "local boy makes good" producer, Heflin.

The tacked-on, mega-production ending is a real clunker and can leave a bad aftertaste. Avoid the ending if you can pull yourself away. But for this grandiose, ill-fitting finale, an almost perfect Garland musical and as good as she gets (which is the best singing actress ever to grace the screen).

One more point in Garland's favor: she plays the perfect "straight man" in two comic scenes with her on screen younger sister. Given Garland's reputation, let alone the instincts of any actor not to be upstaged, one can't but admire her generosity. Her self-confidence and generosity in these scenes make the film that much funnier and stronger.

One of those Garland flicks that never comes up in a list of her good films,which is surprising considering how much fun it is.She plays an ambitious girl determined to make it to Broadway,and chases producer Van Heflin to do it.He's a local guy in her hometown.For a change,Garland is filled out and quite lovely.She's not the emaciated stick she had been in her previous roles.Also,she's not crying because the boy next door won't have her or singing a plaintive love song dealing with rejection! Garland had a fine comedy flair that was seldom exploited in her films.She interplays well with the cast,especially her siblings and Spring Byington as her mom.The music is good but the finale is just a bit out of place.Supposedly,the big brass thought she needed a big finish to show Lily was a big star after all. Wonder what ever happened to the original number, "Paging Mr. Greenback?"

Presenting Lily Mars is one of a genre of film that sadly seems to have disappeared with the studio system. Ok now that you know my bias, here are some reasons I think this movie does stand out.

1. Although the basic plot - Lily Mars (Judy Garland) goes to New York, becomes a star, and wins the heart of her director (Van Heflin) is a pretty stock Hollywood story of the period, the writers do vary the theme her a bit more than usual. Although Lily gets her big break when the star quits, she isn't successful and has to swallow her pride and go back to playing a minor role in the show.

2. Judy Garland (enough said!)

3. The supporting cast includes some really great performances. Spring Byington as Lily's mother is truely wonderful, as is Fay Bainter (the mother of the director - John Thornway (Van Heflin)). The standout supporting performance though goes to character actress Connie Gilchrist as Frankie, a one time actress turned theater custodian.

Worth a watch for sure. One of those movies that are designed to make you feel better about the world and your dreams.

almost every review of this movie I'd seen was pretty bad. It's not pretty bad, it's actually pretty good, though not great. The Judy Garland character could have gotten annoying, but she didn't allow it to. Somewhere along the line, i've become a fan of brooding, overbearing, overacting Van Heflin, at least in the early 40's. Judy's singing is great, but the film missed a great chance by not showing more of their relationship. I gave it a 7.