Girl Crazy (1943)
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76% of users liked it
(915 ratings)
This second film version of the George and Ira Gershwin's Broadway hit Girl Crazy stars reigning MGM musical prince and princess Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland. The 1932 version of Girl Crazy de-emphasized the main plot, building up the comic subplot involving a timorous temporary sheriff and a… More This second film version of the George and Ira Gershwin's Broadway hit Girl Crazy stars reigning MGM musical prince and princess Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland. The 1932 version of Girl Crazy de-emphasized the main plot, building up the comic subplot involving a timorous temporary sheriff and a city slicker con man -- the better to accommodate that film's stars, Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsey. The 1943 remake does without the comic relief, concentrating on Rooney, a teenaged playboy who is sent to a Western mining school by his father (Henry O'Neill), in the hopes that the Rooney will forsake his wastrel ways. Judy Garland is cast in the role originated on stage by Ginger Rogers: the feisty, lovelorn frontier postmistress Ginger Gray, who falls in love with the hero -- the difference being that Garland has been promoted from postmistress to the daughter of mining-school dean Phineas Armour (Guy Kibbee). The new plot involves a contest for rodeo queen, pitting Ginger against Marjorie Tait (Frances Rafferty), who is also her rival for Rooney's affections. The contest serves a double purpose: Rooney is hoping that the publicity engendered by the rivalry will attract students to the failing school, proof positive that for all of his bravado, he's a swell, altruistic guy underneath. These plot complications are merely prologue for a gargantuan musical finale built upon the Gershwin standard "I Got Rhythm," staged by the film's original director, Busby Berkeley. Other musical carryovers from the stage play include "Embraceable You," "Bidin' My Time," and "But Not for Me." Featured in the cast are June Allyson, Rags Ragland, and the Tommy Dorsey Band. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Norman Taurog, Busby Berkeley
- Written By
- Fred F. Finklehoffe, Dorothy Kingsley, Sid Silvers, William Ludwig
- Genres
- Romance, Musical & Performing Arts, Classics, Comedy
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Nov 26, 1943 Wide
Critic Reviews
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
The highlight of the film is all the bouncy Gershwin brother tunes.
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John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
The movie's plot may be slight and the characters silly, but the music is terrific. (Mickey Rooney & Judy Garland Collection)
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John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
The movie is helped by music and lyrics by George and Ira Gershwin.
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Michael W. Phillips, Jr., Goatdog's Movies
[Garland and Rooney] seem like old pros at making the plot machinations seem at least a little fresh.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
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Cast
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Mickey Rooney
as Danny Churchill Jr.
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Judy Garland
as Ginger Gray
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June Allyson
as Specialty
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Nancy Walker
as Polly Williams
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Gil Stratton
as Bud Livermore
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Robert E. Strickland
as Henry Lathrop
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Rags Ragland
as Rags
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Guy Kibbee
as Dean Phineas Armour
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Frances Rafferty
as Marjorie Tait
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Henry O'Neill
as Mr. Churchill Sr.
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Howard Freeman
as Gov. Tait
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Irving Bacon
as Reception Clerk
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Barbara Bedford
as Churchill's Secretary
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William Bishop
as Radio Man
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Karin [Katharine] Booth
as Girl
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Harry C. Bradley
as Governor's Crony
- Hazel Brooks
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Jess Lee Brooks
as Buckets
- Jimmy Butler
- Georgia Carroll
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Chief Many Treaties
as Indian Chief
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Fred Coby
as Radio Man
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Charles Coleman
as Maitre d'Hotel
- Inez Cooper
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Harry Depp
as Nervous Man
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Sarah Edwards
as Governor's Secretary
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Mary Elliott
as Southern Girl
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Bess Flowers
as Committee Woman
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Carol Gallagher
as Blonde
- Joe "Corky" Geil
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Bill Hazlett
as Indian Chief
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Rose Higgins
as Indian Squaw
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Peter Lawford
as Bit Part
- Peggy Leon
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Alphonse Martell
as Waiter
- Noreen Nash
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Spec O'Donnell
as Fiddle Player
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Victor Potel
as Stationmaster
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Henry Roquemore
as Fat Man
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Tommy Dorsey & His Band
as Themselves
- James Warren
- Lillian West
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Eve Whitney
as Brunette/Showgirl
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Sidney Miller
as Ed
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Don Taylor
as Boy
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Ted Offenbecker
as Messenger
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Ken Stewart
as Student
- Vangie Beilby
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Sally Cairns
as Checkroom Girl
- Helen Dickson
- Natalie Draper
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Richard Kipling
as Dignified Man
- Sandra Morgan
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Kay Williams
as Blonde
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William Beaudine Jr.
as Tom
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Linda Deane
as Showgirl
- John Estes
- Mary Jane French
- Julia Griffith
- Aileen Haley
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Bob Lowell
as Boy
- Frances McInerney
- Blanche Rose
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Roger Moore
as Cameraman
