Little Nellie Kelly

1940
Approved
1h 38m

IMDb RATING

6.4/10

750

YOUR RATING

Judy Garland in Little Nellie Kelly (1940)

Irish colleen Nellie is in love with handsome Jerry Kelly, even though her father objects. Nellie and Jerry soon marry and announce plans to move to New York, which again angers Nellie's father. Still, fear of never seeing his daughter again convinces the old man to also head to the States. In New York, Jerry becomes a policeman, although fighting crime seems to be easier than fighting with his father-in-law. Tragedy strikes when Nellie dies in childbirth. Jerry and the meddling old man continue to live together and have constant battles over how to raise young Nellie, who grows up to look exactly like her mother.

Play trailer2:42

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39 Photos

Comedy Family Musical

Irish Nellie marries Jerry despite her father's objections. They move to NY, followed by her dad. Jerry becomes a cop. After Nellie dies in childbirth, Jerry and his father-in-law clash whil... Read allIrish Nellie marries Jerry despite her father's objections. They move to NY, followed by her dad. Jerry becomes a cop. After Nellie dies in childbirth, Jerry and his father-in-law clash while raising her namesake daughter.Irish Nellie marries Jerry despite her father's objections. They move to NY, followed by her dad. Jerry becomes a cop. After Nellie dies in childbirth, Jerry and his father-in-law clash while raising her namesake daughter.

Director
- Norman Taurog
Writers
- Jack McGowan
- George M. Cohan
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.4/10

750

YOUR RATING

Director
- Norman Taurog
Writers
- Jack McGowan
- George M. Cohan
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

Party Guest
(uncredited)

Henry Blair

Dennis Fogarty - as a Child
(uncredited)

Sven Hugo Borg

Immigrant at Citizenship Ceremony
(uncredited)

Robert Bradford

Singer in 'Nellie Kelly I Love You'
(uncredited)

Director
- Norman Taurog
Writers
- Jack McGowan
- George M. Cohan
All cast & crew
Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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9:57

Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
The photos shown of little Nellie Kelly growing up are photos of Judy Garland as a child.

Quotes
Nellie Kelly: There's nothing like a darn good cry, is there?
Michael 'Mike' Noonan: There's whiskey.

Connections
Featured in The Miracle of Sound (1940)

Soundtracks
The Irish Washerwoman
(uncredited)
Traditional Irish Jig
Played during the opening credits
Reprised by the band in the St. Patrick's Day parade

User reviews21

Featured review

4/10

Judy's Garland Briefly Slips

Judy Garland stars as the titular Nelly in this lackluster shell of a film. In fact, she plays two roles-mother and daughter. As such, she portrays both wife and daughter to her costar, George Murphy, which makes for a rather awkward transition.

The real problem is the plot, which has a one-note conceit-the stubbornness of her father (and grandfather). One reviewer called him a "lovable loafer", but I found him tiresome and annoying. I doubt anyone could tolerate such a boor in real life. Besides controlling his daughter/granddaughter in the name of love, his one goal in life is inebriation.

I have to mention the ending, which is unrealistic and contrary to the essence of the entire film, effectively undermining all that has gone before. When people criticize Hollywood endings, they are talking about endings like the one that was tacked on to this failure.

Fortunately, Judy Garland followed this film with many notable successes.