Girl Crazy (1943)

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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… 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

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 39 min.
Directed By: Norman Taurog, Busby Berkeley
Written By: Fred F. Finklehoffe, Dorothy Kingsley, Sid Silvers, William Ludwig
Genres: Romance, Musical & Performing Arts, Classics, Comedy

In Theaters: Nov 26, 1943 Wide
On DVD: Sep 25, 2007

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
The highlight of the film is all the bouncy Gershwin brother tunes.
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)
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
The movie is helped by music and lyrics by George and Ira Gershwin.
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.

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Featured Audience Ratings

jay n

light and breezy, even mickey isn't too noxious

Cast

            Mickey Rooney as Danny Churchill Jr.

            Judy Garland as Ginger Gray

            June Allyson as Specialty

            Nancy Walker as Polly Williams

            Gil Stratton as Bud Livermore

            Robert E. Strickland as Henry Lathrop

            Rags Ragland as Rags

            Guy Kibbee as Dean Phineas Armour

            Frances Rafferty as Marjorie Tait

            Henry O'Neill as Mr. Churchill Sr.

            Howard Freeman as Gov. Tait

            Irving Bacon as Reception Clerk

            Barbara Bedford as Churchill's Secretary

            William Bishop as Radio Man

            Karin [Katharine] Booth as Girl

            Harry C. Bradley as Governor's Crony

            Hazel Brooks
            
            Jess Lee Brooks as Buckets

            Jimmy Butler
            
            Georgia Carroll
            
            Chief Many Treaties as Indian Chief

            Fred Coby as Radio Man

            Charles Coleman as Maitre d'Hotel

            Inez Cooper
            
            Harry Depp as Nervous Man

            Sarah Edwards as Governor's Secretary

            Mary Elliott as Southern Girl

            Bess Flowers as Committee Woman

            Carol Gallagher as Blonde

            Joe "Corky" Geil
            
            Bill Hazlett as Indian Chief

            Rose Higgins as Indian Squaw

            Peter Lawford as Bit Part

            Peggy Leon
            
            Alphonse Martell as Waiter

            Noreen Nash
            
            Spec O'Donnell as Fiddle Player

            Victor Potel as Stationmaster

            Henry Roquemore as Fat Man

            Tommy Dorsey & His Band as Themselves

            James Warren
            
            Lillian West
            
            Eve Whitney as Brunette/Showgirl

            Sidney Miller as Ed

            Don Taylor as Boy

            Ted Offenbecker as Messenger

            Ken Stewart as Student

            Vangie Beilby
            
            Sally Cairns as Checkroom Girl

            Helen Dickson
            
            Natalie Draper
            
            Richard Kipling as Dignified Man

            Sandra Morgan
            
            Kay Williams as Blonde

            William Beaudine Jr. as Tom

            Linda Deane as Showgirl

            John Estes
            
            Mary Jane French
            
            Julia Griffith
            
            Aileen Haley
            
            Bob Lowell as Boy

            Frances McInerney
            
            Blanche Rose
            
            Roger Moore as Cameraman
See full cast