The Harvey Girls (1946)

100% of critics liked it
(8 reviews)
77% of users liked it
(5,499 ratings)

This glorified Technicolor commercial for the Fred Harvey restaurants stars Judy Garland as a 19th-century mail-order bride. Upon arriving in New Mexico, Garland discovers that her husband-to-be is the town drunk. She cuts her losses and takes a job at the local Harvey restaurant, an establishment… More This glorified Technicolor commercial for the Fred Harvey restaurants stars Judy Garland as a 19th-century mail-order bride. Upon arriving in New Mexico, Garland discovers that her husband-to-be is the town drunk. She cuts her losses and takes a job at the local Harvey restaurant, an establishment which endeavors to bring a little civilization and class to the wide open spaces. Harvey's operation is challenged by saloon-owner John Hodiak, corrupt-judge Preston S. Foster, and local-madam Angela Lansbury. With the help of tenderfoot Ray Bolger, Garland and her fellow waitresses foil the corrupt elements in town. Prominent in the supporting cast are Cyd Charisse, Marjorie Main, Chill Wills, Kenny Baker and Virginia O'Brien (whose musical numbers aren't quite as rambunctious as the contributions of the others, mainly because O'Brien was pregnant during filming). The songs are for the most part perfunctory, with the spectacular exception of the Harry Warren and Johnny Mercer's Oscar-winning "Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe." The Harvey Girls is tenuously based on a more sober-sided historical volume by Samuel Hopkins Adams. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 42 min.
Directed By: George Sidney II
Written By: Edmund Beloin, Nathaniel Curtis, Harry Crane, James O'Hanlon, Samson Raphaelson
Genres: Western, Musical & Performing Arts, Classics, Comedy

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1946 Wide
On DVD: Apr 30, 2001
Studio: MGM Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
George Sidney's musical western is a joyous, fictionalized tribute to the New England femmes who went out West to bring culture and food; best song is On the Atchison, Topeka, Santa Fe, which won an Oscar.
Nathaniel Rogers, Film Experience
Though this creaky musical hasn't aged well, its peak moments are delightful: Dorothy and her Scarecrow reunited, "On the Atchison Topeka and the Santa Fe" and Garland's gift for physical comedy.
Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
Not quite top line Garland, but very much fun with a good score.
Nick Davis, Nick's Flick Picks
Perhaps not a musical for the ages, but a larkish and exuberant joy all the same.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
One classic song does not a good musical make
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
...this musical-comedy Western holds a few delights of its own, not the least of which is its beautiful Technicolor transfer to DVD.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
The story and songs are reminders of a gentler, more innocent age that clearly never existed but was fun imagining in the movies.

Read all 7 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

A fun, but predictable musical comedy.
jay n

Even lower case Judy is better then most and this has a young Angela Lansbury as well
Leigh R

My love of life, JUDY!
Byron B

Glossy Hollywood musical where cowboys and waitresses wear Technicolor outfits that look like they rarely encounter dust. The great performances and musical numbers carry you away to this imaginary place for a couple hours of enjoyable entertainment though. Ray Bolger and Judy Garland… More
Glossy Hollywood musical where cowboys and waitresses wear Technicolor outfits that look like they rarely encounter dust. The great performances and musical numbers carry you away to this imaginary place for a couple hours of enjoyable entertainment though. Ray Bolger and Judy Garland re-team, though they don't share many scenes. Bolger provides comic relief, but especially captures the screen with his trademark style of dance. Garland commits to film more tunes that she enlivens with her unique voice and ability to add sensitivity.

Cast

            Judy Garland as Susan Bradley

            John Hodiak as Ned Trent

            Ray Bolger as Chris Maule

            Angela Lansbury as Em

            Marjorie Main as Sonora Cassidy

            Preston S. Foster as Judge Sam Purvis

            Cyd Charisse as Deborah

            Virginia O'Brien as Alma

            Kenny Baker as Terry O'Halloran

            Chill Wills as H.H. Hartsey

            Selena Royle as Miss Bliss

            Ruth Brady as Ethel

            Jack Lambert as Marty Peters

            Edward Earle as Jed Adams

            Morris Ankrum as Rev. Claggett

            William 'Bill' Phillips as First Cowboy

            Ben Carter as John Henry

            Norman Leavitt as Cowboy

            Horace McNally as Goldust McClean

            Hazel Brooks
            
            Vernon Dent as Engineer

            Mary Jo Ellis
            
            Dorothy Gilmore
            
            Gloria Hope as Harvey Girl

            Virginia Hunter as Jane

            Mitchell Lewis as Sandy

            Peggy Maley
            
            Catherine McLeod as Louise

            Robert E. O'Connor as Conductor

            Ray Teal as Conductor

            Jim Toney as Mule Skinner

            Bunny Waters
            
            Jacqueline White
            
            Eve Whitney
            
            Lucille Casey
            
            Kay English
            
            Mary Jane French
            
            Daphne Moore
            
            Erin O'Kelly
            
            Dorothy Tuttle
            
            Dallas Worth as Dance Hall Girl
See full cast