For Me and My Gal

MGM, 1942
Starring Judy Garland, Gene Kelly, George Murphy, and Ben Blue
Directed by Busby Berkeley
Music and Lyrics by various

After making a splash on Broadway in Pal Joey, MGM signed Gene Kelly as their latest dancing star. Judy Garland was more than happy to encourage Arthur Freed to take a chance on him. It would become the first of three times the two starred together. How does this tribute to vaudeville, the variety showcase of the early 20th century, look now? Let's head to a small-town train station where several actors are about to disembark and find out...

The Story: Harry Palmer (Kelly) is an ambitious hoofer in 1917 who desperately wants to make the big-time. He hooks up with talented singer and dancer Jo Hayden (Garland), despite her already being part of girls-and-singer act with Jimmy Metcalf (Murphy). She breaks with Metcalf when she realizes how much chemistry they have and how well they dance together. Despite their talent and dedication, the act doesn't seem to make it very far. At one point, Harry even gets an offer from a beautiful French singer (Martha Eggerth) and Jimmy asks Jo to come back, but they both decide to stick it out when they realize they're in love with each other.

Jo tells Harry she'll marry him after they get a booking at the top theater in vaudeville, the Palace in New York. They do finally make the Palace, just as the US enters World War I. Harry is drafted, but he wants so badly to play the Palace and get Jo to that wedding, he breaks his hand in his trunk. He couldn't have picked a worse time to do it. Jo's beloved brother Danny (Richard Quine) died in battle, and now she thinks he's a coward. Harry enlists in the ambulance corps to prove to one and all that he can be courageous about something besides dancing.

The Song and Dance: I can fully understand why Garland wanted Kelly for the role. Their chemistry was off the charts from the get-go. Kelly may be abrasive and egotistical, but he's also a charmer who realizes right away how well he and Jo fit together. The two of them really elevate the nostalgic melodrama. I also like the sets, costumes, and authentic-looking routines that really take you back to the vaudeville of baggy-pants clowns and beautiful singers that the opening paragraphs mention.

Favorite Number: The movie's at it's best when it showcases Garland and Kelly's dancing talents. Their version of the title song is a delight, graceful and energetic. "Ballin' the Jack" later gets as sexy as an MGM musical was allowed to at this time, with their swaying hips and briefer costumes. "When You Wore a Tulip and I Wore a Red Rose" is a brief satire of early 20th century courtship that's too adorable for words. The closest thing to a big number is the opening "Oh You Beautiful Doll" routine, with Garland posing as a life-sized doll who badly wants Murphy to buy her. In other hands, it would probably be a little creepy, but Garland's intense charm makes it seem almost oddly sweet.

Trivia: This was Garland's first adult role.

There really was a Harry Palmer who had a double act with a Jo Hayden in early 20th century vaudeville. He did, indeed, break his hand to stay out of World War I, play the Palace, and marry her, and she dropped him briefly after a friend died in the war. He did serve with distinction in the ambulance corps, and they were married after he came back. Jo's friend was separated into her brother and Jimmy Metcalf.

Evidently, the film's ending was reshot after test audiences found Kelly to be too unsympathetic and thought Jo should end up with Jimmy Metcalf. Murphy was originally supposed to play Harry Palmer before MGM bought Kelly's contract from David O. Selznick. Busby Berkeley didn't want him, but Garland liked him and asked for him.

What I Don't Like: This is mostly Garland and Kelly's show. Anyone else barely registers, including Murphy and Keenan Wynn as a theatrical agent. It's also not for anyone expecting the kaleidoscopic routines associated with Berkeley. The numbers are subdued for him with no playing with the camera. I'm also a bit surprised this is in black and white. The vaudeville era practically screams for Technicolor.

The Big Finale: The numbers alone make this a must-see if you're a fan of Garland, Kelly, Berkeley's later career, or the MGM musicals of the 1940's and 50's.

Home Media: The solo DVD is out of print, but it can be found on streaming and bundled with three other Garland movies in the Silver Screen Icons set.

DVD - Silver Screen Icons: Judy Garland
Amazon Prime