GIRL CRAZY [1943 / 2020] [Warner Archive Collection] [Blu-ray] [USA Release]
The Big Musical with Broadway Flair and A Western Air!
Mickey Rooney, Judy Garland, Gershwin music, and Tommy Dorsey to play it. Who could ask for anything more? From Judy Garland’s rendition of “But Not for Me” to the grand finale of “I Got Rhythm” and “Girl Crazy” is one of the most buoyant tune fests ever put on-screen! Rich kid Danny Churchill Jr. [Mickey Rooney] has a taste for wine, women and song, but not for higher education.
So his father ships him to an all-male college out West where there’s not supposed to be a female for miles. But before Danny Churchill Jr. arrives, and he spies a pair of legs extending out from under a stalled roadster. They belong to the dean’s granddaughter, Ginger Gray [Judy Garland], who is more interested in keeping the financially strapped college open than falling for Danny Churchill Jr.’s romantic line. At least at first.
FILM FACT: ‘GIRL CRAZY’ choreography for the musical numbers is by Jack Donahue, with Charles Walters responsible for "Embraceable You." An additional production number, "Bronco Busters" which was sung by Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney and Nancy Walker, was cut from the film. The musical numbers were recorded in stereophonic sound but mixed into mono for the film’s release in the cinemas. Rhino Records released a compact disc featuring the original stereo recordings, which include probably the only stereo tracks of Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra performing.
Cast: Mickey Rooney, Judy Garland, Gil Stratton, Robert E. Strickland, “Rags” Ragland, June Allyson, Nancy Walker, Guy Kibbee, Frances Rafferty, Henry O'Neill, Howard Freeman, Tommy Dorsey, Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra, Six Hits and a Miss (Vocalists), The Music Maids, Ed Agresti (uncredited), Don Anderson (uncredited), Irving Bacon (uncredited), King Baggot (uncredited), Eleanor Bayley (uncredited), William Beaudine Jr. (uncredited), Vangie Beilby (uncredited), William Bishop (uncredited), Karin Booth (uncredited), Harry C. Bradley (uncredited), Hazel Brooks (uncredited), Jess Lee Brooks (uncredited), Jimmy Butler (uncredited), Sally Cairns (uncredited), Georgia Carroll (uncredited), Fred Coby (Radio Man) (uncredited), Charles Coleman (uncredited), Inez Cooper (uncredited), Jeanne Darrell (uncredited), Linda Deane (uncredited), Harry Depp (uncredited), Helen Dickson (uncredited), Natalie Draper (uncredited), Mary Elliott (uncredited), John Estes (uncredited), Mary Jane French (uncredited), Carole Gallagher (uncredited), Karen X. Gaylord (uncredited), Joe Geil (uncredited), Julia Griffith (uncredited), Aileen Haley (uncredited), Mahlon Hamilton (uncredited), Dick Haymes (Member of The Pied Pipers) (uncredited), Rose Higgins (uncredited), John Huddleston (Member of The Pied Pipers) (uncredited), Virginia Hunter (uncredited), Patt Hyatt (uncredited), Lois James (uncredited), Frank Jaquet (uncredited), Richard Kipling (uncredited), Peter Lawford (uncredited), Peggy Leon (uncredited), Bob Lowell (uncredited), Chuck Lowry (Member of The Pied Pipers) (uncredited), Alice Ludes (uncredited), Beverly Luff (uncredited), Frances MacInerney (uncredited), Chief Many Treaties (uncredited), Maurice Marks (uncredited), Roger Moore (uncredited), Sandra Morgan (uncredited), Evelyn Moriarty (uncredited), Aileen Morris (uncredited), Buddy Morrow (Musician with Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra) (uncredited), Noreen Nash (uncredited), Spec O'Donnell (uncredited), George Offerman Jr. (uncredited), The Pied Pipers (Vocalists) (uncredited), Victor Potel (uncredited), Henry Rackin (uncredited), Henry Roquemore (uncredited), Blanche Rose (uncredited), Bernard Sell (uncredited), The Stafford Sisters (Vocalists) (uncredited), Christine Stafford (one of the Stafford Sisters) (uncredited), Jo Stafford (one of the Stafford Sisters) (uncredited), Pauline Stafford (one of the Stafford Sisters) (uncredited), Ken Stewart (uncredited), Don Taylor (uncredited), Melissa Ten Eyck (uncredited), Mitzie Uehlien (uncredited), Charles Walters (uncredited), Frances Ward (uncredited), James Warren (Radio Man) (uncredited), Lillian West (uncredited), Eve Whitney (uncredited), Kay Williams (uncredited), Denny Wilson (uncredited) and Clark Yocum (uncredited)
Directors: Norman Taurog and Busby Berkeley ("I Got Rhythm" number)
Producer: Arthur Freed
Screenplay: Fred F. Finklehoffe (screenplay), Guy Bolton (musical play), Jack McGowan (musical play), Dorothy Kingsley (contributing writer) (uncredited), William Ludwig (contributing writer) (uncredited) and Sid Silvers (uncredited)
Musical Adaptations: Roger Edens and Conrad Salinger (uncredited)
Musical Director: George Stoll
Cinematography: Robert H. Planck, A.S.C. (Director of Photography) and William H. Daniels, A.S.C. (Director of Photography)
Image Resolution: 1080p (Black-and White)
Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1
Audio: English: 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio Stereo
Subtitles: English SDH
Running Time: 99 minutes
Region: All Regions
Number of discs: 1
Studio: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer / Warner Archive Collection
Andrew’s Blu-ray Review: ‘GIRL CRAZY’ [1943] is one of the most celebrated of all the George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin’s musicals. Since its debut on Broadway in 1930, the show has had several film and stage adaptations.
The original stage production opened on the 14th October, 1930, starring Ginger Rogers and Ethel Merman in her Broadway debut. Ethel Merman introduced the song “I Got Rhythm,” stopping the show with every performance. Red Nichols’ pit band for the show is just as famous, including such future musical greats as Glenn Miller, Jimmy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, Gene Krupa, Jack Teagarden, and future M-G-M music arranger/associate producer and Judy Garland’s mentor Roger Edens.
This ‘GIRL CRAZY’ 1943 version is by far the best of the film versions, and in my opinion, it’s the best of the Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland “Let’s Put On A Show” musicals. It’s also the last. Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland Judy would not appear together on film again until Judy Garland’s short guest spot with the 1948 ‘Words And Music’ film performing a duet of “I Wish I Were In Love Again.”
Busby Berkeley did, in fact, wore everyone to a frazzle when filming “I Got Rhythm” while taking the film $60,000 over budget! It was the first sequence to be filmed, and as musical arranger Roger Edens later stated “We disagreed about the number’s presentation. I wanted it rhythmic and simply stage, but Busby Berkeley got his big ensembles and trick cameras into it again, plus a lot of girls in Western outfits with fringe skirts and people cracking whips, firing guns and cannons going off all over my arrangement and Judy Garland’s voice. Well, we shouted at each other, and I said, “There isn’t room on the lot for both of us.” Hedda Hopper visited the set at one point and reported: “I saw Busby Berkeley work her over and watched from the floor with a wild gleam in his eye while take after take Busby Berkeley drove her to the perfection he demanded. Judy Garland was close to hysteria; I was ready to scream myself. But the order was repeated again and again: “Cut. Let’s try it again Judy. Come on, move! Get the lead out.” Busby Berkeley was fired from the film, replaced by Norman Taurog with Charles Walters handling the musical numbers.
Despite ‘GIRL CRAZY’ was the last film musical Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney did together, in 1943. ‘GIRL CRAZY’ is a romantic comedy featuring Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney, and their ninth and final film together playing romantic partners. ‘GIRL CRAZY’ is about a young man, Danny Churchill Jr., a rich playboy who attends Yale University. Danny Churchill Jr. gets in trouble with his father for his playboy antics. During a showcase, Danny Churchill Jr. sings suggestive lyrics with some chorus girls and makes newspaper headlines. After seeing his son’s story in the paper, Danny Churchill Jr.’s father Danny Churchill, Sr. [Henry O'Neill] ships him off to an all- men’s college out west where there are supposedly no girls.
The film musical follows Danny Churchill Jr. in his adventures in Codyville, the college out west. At first, Danny Churchill Jr. hates and detests his time in Codyville. The school is out in the middle of nowhere, he has to wake up at the crack of dawn, his peers rope him into riding a wild horse and on top of all that, and there are no girls for him to run wild with at night. Besides that, everyone in the dorm turns in for the night at nine thirty. Danny Churchill Jr. is constantly complaining about his circumstances, and he gives up very easily. Danny Churchill Jr. is also very fickle because he wants to leave the school, but he keeps being pulled back. There is only one reason for Danny Churchill Jr. being unsure if he really wants to leave or not… and that reason is a girl.
When Danny Churchill Jr. arrived in the town of Codyville, he finds out that there are no taxis, and he has to walk eight miles to the school and starts on the long hike until he spots a car and excitedly runs to it. Danny Churchill Jr. sees someone working underneath the car and automatically assumes it’s a man. However, much to his surprise, it actually turns out to be a young woman named Ginger Gray played by Judy Garland who he later finds out is Dean Phineas Armour [Guy Kibbee] granddaughter. Danny Churchill Jr. is very taken with Ginger Gray as he is with all the pretty girls, and he makes advances towards her, but Ginger Gray isn’t having any of his playboy mannerisms, and she pushes him aside. After Danny Churchill Jr. fixes Ginger Gray’s car, she starts the car and leaves him stranded.
Danny Churchill Jr. changes throughout the course of the film musical. At first, Danny Churchill Jr. is frolicking with all the girls he finds attractive. However, when he sees Ginger Gray, he realizes that he wants her and only her. Although he still has some moments where he flirts with other girls, Ginger Gray changes his heart. Ginger Gray gets Danny Churchill Jr. to see that his lifestyle will not make him happy but staying faithful to the one person he truly loves will.
Ginger Gray, unlike Danny Churchill Jr., has very many, admirable characteristics and is very innocent and wants to stay true to just one man. Ginger Gray at first rejects Danny Churchill Jr. when he comes on to her, because she wants to maintain her innocence. In addition to her purity, Ginger Gray is also a hard worker and works at college to deliver the mail, and Ginger Gray is very diligent at her tasks. Ginger Gray loves everyone and even if multiple men at the college have a crush on her, Ginger Gray’s still very kind to all of them.
‘GIRL CRAZY’ is a very humorous, well-made film musical, with great songs by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin. Judy Garland’s emotional performance with songs like “But Not for Me” is clearly a highlight. The music score includes other great George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin tunes, including “Embraceable You,” “I Got Rhythm” and “Fascinating Rhythm.”
‘GIRL CRAZY’ contains strong moral themes of its time in 1943, like staying true to your beloved and working hard. The message of faithfulness is very straightforward and commendable. The film musical has an excellent depiction of what love really is all about. However, there are also some slightly negative elements, what they are you will have to watch the film. Although ‘GIRL CRAZY’ was intended for all audiences, Danny Churchill Jr.’s playboy mannerisms in the film’s first part are not very child friendly. There are some suggestive lyrics during the song Danny Churchill Jr. and a few chorus girls sing in the beginning of the film musical about Danny Churchill Jr. wanting to be with every beautiful woman. ‘GIRL CRAZY’ also contains some slapstick violence and would advise caution for younger children and best to watch with their parents.
I’m always rather in awe of Judy Garland’s dancing. It’s not that she’s Cyd Charisse or even Eleanor Powell, but she always gives the appearance of total ease and rightness. It’s a joy to watch her dance and she always makes it look good. So often, now, I feel like singing and dancing is all about making it look like the performer is working hard, but Judy Garland looked as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland were amazing and seem to be able to do pretty much anything. Mickey Rooney sings and dances and plays the piano with Tommy Dorsey and does physical comedy and is a wonder to behold and also has a sweet chemistry with Judy Garland. It seems like in so many of Judy Garland’s films, is always pining away for her wayward man, it is nice to see things reversed with Mickey Rooney trying to win her over.
But of course with this film musical ‘GIRL CRAZY,’ it shows best of all, all the wonderful and magical songs by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin, a brilliant and fantastic dance routine that was choreographed by Busby Berkeley, and an appearance of the legendary Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra, and also an early appearance from June Allyson, and we see Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland doing what they do best? Who could ask for anything more!
GIRL CRAZY MUSIC TRACK LIST
TREAT ME ROUGH (1930) (uncredited) (Music by George Gershwin) (Lyrics by Ira Gershwin) [Performed by June Allyson, Mickey Rooney, The Music Maids, The Stafford Sisters and Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra]
BIDIN’ MY TIME (1930) (uncredited) (Music by George Gershwin) (Lyrics by Ira Gershwin) [Performed by Judy Garland, The King's Men and chorus]
COULD YOU USE ME? (1930) (uncredited) (Music by George Gershwin) (Lyrics by Ira Gershwin) [Performed by Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney]
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU (1893) (uncredited) (Music by Mildred J. Hill) (Lyrics by Patty S. Hill) [Performed Rags Ragland and chorus]
EMBRACEABLE YOU (1930) (uncredited) (Music by George Gershwin) (Lyrics by Ira Gershwin) [Played during the opening credits] [Performed by Judy Garland and chorus] [Danced by Judy Garland and Charles Walters] [Played as dance music at the rodeo dance, and as background music]
FASCINATING RHYTHM (1924) (uncredited) From the stage musical "Lady, Be Good!" (Music by George Gershwin) (Lyrics by Ira Gershwin) [Performed by Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra, with Tommy Dorsey on trombone and Mickey Rooney on piano and dubbed by Arthur Schutt]
BUT NOT FOR ME (1930) (uncredited) (Music by George Gershwin) (Lyrics by Ira Gershwin) [Performed by Judy Garland] [Played also as background music]
I GOT RHYTHM (1930) (uncredited) (Music by George Gershwin) (Lyrics by Ira Gershwin) [Played during the opening credits] [Performed in the finale by Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney, Six Hits and a Miss, The Music Maids, Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra and chorus]
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Blu-ray Image Quality – Warner Archive Collection presents us ‘GIRL CRAZY’ and unveils another beautiful and stunning black-and-white 1080p image, and thanks to a brand new 4K restoration produced from the films best surviving elements. Sadly, the original ‘GIRL CRAZY’ negative no longer exists. Deep blacks, crisp whites, and nicely varied greys distinguish this bright, vibrant rendering of the films image, which maintains the film's natural grain structure and preserves the integrity of the cinematography by the great William Daniels and Robert Planck and much of what you see is a massive vast improvement over how ‘GIRL CRAZY’ has always looked on previous inferior home video formats. Though some softness creeps into the image from time to time, most likely the result of different sources, but the overall picture image bursts with excellent dynamic clarity and wonderful contrasts. Shadows are very good and close-ups are gloriously sharp and lush, showcasing fine facial features of the actors while still exuding old-fashioned Hollywood glamour. The image also flaunts much more vibrancy and consistency. The opening nightclub sequence on the inferior DVD release was maddeningly dark, but that's been corrected here, and all the nicks, marks, and scratches that plagued the previous inferior DVD release have been erased completely, leaving a wonderfully clean, detailed picture image. The night-and-day scenes improvements are guaranteed to dazzle Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland fans, who shouldn't hesitate to upgrade to the Blu-ray format. Warner Archive Collection has done their very best to preserve much of the image for future generations to study and admire and for me personally Warner Archive Collection gets a definite five star rating from me.
Blu-ray Audio Quality – Warner Archive Collection brings us the film ‘GIRL CRAZY’ in a one off one standard 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio experience. The audio performance easily outperforms the sound on the previous inferior DVD release. Not surprisingly, the most noticeable improvement in the audio quality comes during the musical numbers, which flaunt far more fidelity, tonal depth, and dynamic range than ever before. The best examples of this are the numbers that feature Tommy Dorsey's swinging big band. "Treat Me Rough," the "I Got Rhythm" finale, and especially the orchestra's breath-taking arrangement of "Fascinatin' Rhythm" really wow the senses with crystal clear tones that showcase individual instruments and make us appreciate the artistry and talent of these virtuoso, yet too often unsung musicians. Judy Garland's vocals sound richer and fuller than ever before, but her powerhouse pipes and all the screaming brass never once approach the brink of distortion. Even atmospherics like chirping birds and galloping horse hooves seem more pronounced. All the dialogue is very easy to comprehend, and you get no age-related hiss, pops, or crackle intrude. It is a must in upgrading to Blu-ray format on the strength of this brilliant audio track, which makes ‘GIRL CRAZY’ sing so sweet like never before. This is truly remarkable for a 1943 film release and even better than when it was first released in the cinema.
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Blu-ray Special Features and Extras:
Special Feature: Introduction by Mickey Rooney [2007] [1080p] [1.37:1] [4:10] Mickey Rooney was 87 years young when he recorded this introduction way back in 2007, who informs us that the film ‘GIRL CRAZY’ was the fourth and last finest films produced by Arthur Freed, especially in collaborations with Judy Garland. Mickey Rooney and cites the wonderful Gershwin music score as a major attraction in the film's success, as well as the lyrics for George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin and fondly recalls working with the Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra. 1943 marked the height of the Big Band era and this film musical provides a showcase for Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra. Mickey Rooney says the film also showcases other talented artist like June Allyson, Nancy Walker and choreographer Chuck Walters who dances in a scene with Judy Garland. Mickey Rooney also says it was a genuine pleasure to look back on the film ‘GORL CRAZY’ and there was one particular reason, and her name was of course, the wonderful Judy Garland, who told everyone that Mickey Rooney was her best dancing partner and ends with Mickey Rooney saying thanks us for sharing those happy times at M-G-M studios.
Audio Commentary with John Fricke: Here John Fricke [Historian/Author] welcomes us to this Warner Archive Collection audio commentary track for the film ‘GIRL CRAZY.’ Mickey Rooney, Judy Garland and George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin, the composited effect of those four talents made the film you have already seen and was one of the top box office film in 1943, and is the ninth or tenth film which of course made Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland shared the top billing and the fourth and final major musical that was produced specifically by M-G-M and Arthur Freed, and John Fricke feels it is the best of those four pictures. On top of all that, Judy Garland was 20 years of age, and Mickey Rooney was 22 years of age, and now with this film they have become more adult compared to their other three films and projected a much more mature outlook in their characters. The film ‘GIRL CRAZY’ is a much more musical comedy at its most traditional and the film was conceived, designed and realised as entertainment, pure and sweet, and it is also due to the wonderful songs in the film from the legendary Gershwin brothers. What is also wonderful is seeing and hearing the wonderful Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra. John Fricke says that both Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland had a very punishing schedule just before filming ‘GIRL CRAZY,’ but feels it does not show in their performance in the film, and especially with the heavy filming schedule. John Fricke talks about the old actor Henry O'Neill who plays Danny Churchill Sr., who was born in New Jersey in 1891, then after the Second World War made his debut on the Broadway stage, and between 1920 and 1949 was seen in 22 shows, but he is probably best known for appearing in 170 films from 1930 to 1957 and in 1930 appeared mainly in Warner Bros. films and the rest of the time in M-G-M films and sadly passed away at the age of 69. When we see Mickey Rooney arrive at the Codyville railway station and heads for the college, and this is where he first meets Judy Garland under the car, at this point in the making of the 1943 film, because it is 10 years before they knew each other when at the time Judy Garland was 10 years old and Mickey Rooney was 12 years old, and it was at the Marlow Professional Academy For Children. John Fricke says about the Judy Garland character of being the Postmistress and has to collect the mail, but on Saturday, 10 June, 2006, Judy Garland was honoured with the “Legends of Hollywood” where the U.S. Postal Service celebrated Judy Garland's birthday with a commemorative Judy Garland stamp, part of their “Legends of Hollywood” series. It would have been Judy Garland's 84th Birthday Anniversary and members of her family were present, Hollywood co-stars and of course her daughter Lorna Luft who sang a song, as well as Michael Feinstein, and Rufus Wainwright sang along with Diane Schuur [American jazz pianist], but what brought the house down at the start of the evening and throughout the ceremony was a montage of Judy Garland television clips, also intimate interviews with Judy Garland and it ran for about 13 minutes and of course the capacity crowd cheered and clapped with a great ovation. But the presenter for the evening event informed everyone that they had left out the most important clip with Judy Garland and the audience were very puzzled, and they were about to show the clip where Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney are sitting on the running board of the car, where Judy Garland informs Mickey Rooney that she is the Postmistress and Mickey Rooney says you ought to have your face on a U.S. Postage Stamp, and of course that specific scene brought the house down. John Fricke talks about the prolific career of Arthur Freed, who was a producer at M-G-M for four years, and enjoyed his decade, plus as the studio leading songwriter and because of the success of ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ where he was an assistant producer, but was also involved with films like ‘Babes in Arms’ (1939), ‘Strike Up the Band’ (1940), ‘Little Nellie Kelly’ (1940), ‘Babes on Broadway’ (1941), ‘Panama Hattie’ (1942), ‘For Me and My Gal’ (1942), ‘Cabin in the Sky’ (1943), ‘Best Foot Forward’ (1943), ‘Du Barry Was a Lady’ (1943) and of course ‘GIRL CRAZY’ (1943), plus loads of other famous films that are far too many to mention. Arthur Freed was launched as a prominent Hollywood Producer and was involved in the pre-production for such films as ‘Meet Me in St. Louis’ (1944), ‘Yolanda and the Thief’ (1945), ‘The Harvey Girls’ (1946), ‘Ziegfeld Follies’ (1946), ‘Till the Clouds Roll By’ (1946). Other famous films that Arthur Freed was involved in were ‘Summer Holiday’ (1948), ‘The Pirate’ (1948), ‘Easter Parade’ (1948), ‘Words and Music’ (1948), ‘Take Me Out to the Ball Game’ (1949), ‘The Barkleys of Broadway’ (1949), ‘On the Town’ (1949) and ‘Annie Get Your Gun’ (1950) and again this is just the tip of the iceberg and doing the films he did, he drew on the best talent around at the time. John Fricke talks about the fact that the about Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney films were a big box office success and of course a hit with the public, but people have asked why films like ‘GIRL CRAZY’ was not filmed in Technicolor and at the same time ‘GIRL CRAZY’ was being filmed, the film ‘Best Foot Forward’ (1943) was filmed in Technicolor, so why was the Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney ‘GIRL CRAZY’ film not filmed in Technicolor, well the simple reason was that the Technicolor film process was very expensive at that time to shoot, but black-and-white was not very expensive, and the M-G-M executives felt that the Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney films did not need any kind of gimmick of filming them in Technicolor, because their black-and-white films drew in the audiences to the cinema in droves. More than 20 years after the film ‘GIRL CRAZY,’ M-G-M remade that film a second time and was called ‘When the Boys Meet the Girls’ (1965) and was done for the vehicle for Connie Francis as Ginger Gray and Harve Presnell as Danny Churchill to turn her father's Nevada ranch into a haven for divorcees and they did new songs like "When the Boys Meet the Girls," "Monkey See, Monkey Do," "Listen People" and "Aruba Liberace" and also performing in the film was Sam the Sham and The Pharaohs, Louis Armstrong & Orchestra, Peter Noone and the Herman's Hermits and Liberace, and dived bombed without trace at the box office. When we see the actress Nancy Walker for the first time, John Fricke gives us some great information on her background and informs us that Nancy Walker was born in Pennsylvania in 1922 and gives us detailed information of all the films and television shows she has appeared in, as well as the Broadway stage, and sadly Nancy Walker passed away in California in 1992 at the age of 69. When we see Judy Garland driving Mickey Rooney back to the Codyville station, John Fricke talks about some of the serious problems they had with the film being partly filmed on location in the desert near Palm Springs, California, and particular incident was whenever the camera started rolling, an army plane would fly low over them and dip his wing and signalling with revving up his engine to make a loud raucous noise and this happened several times and of course causing total frustrating, and of course it was a complete mystery and wondering why this was happening on a regular basis, then suddenly Judy Garland remembered, by saying, “Do you suppose it could be those army pilots we met in the village and I asked them the promise to fly over the location and dip their wings to salute me as they left the air base.” When we get to the scene where the college men sing “Happy Birthday To You” to Judy Garland, we see that Ginger Gray has been given a big surprise birthday present and when Ginger Gray unwraps the present it turns out to be a pure white baby piano, with signatures all over it from the college students, where Judy Garland actually plays the white piano, and it is something she learnt as a young child at 6 years old and would also play it at night when she could not sleep, which Judy Garland did for her own pleasure, and was asked why she did not play the piano in any of her other films, and Judy Garland replied, “No, this is something I do for myself, and anybody else knows about it, I would have to do this for everyone to.” When Judy Garland was on Broadway and sang with The Gumm Sisters group and wowed people with her sitting on a piano and at the time Judy Garland made a wish, that if ever she appeared in a film, she would like to be on a piano singing, and of course her wish was granted when filming ‘GIRL CRAZY’ with the song “Embraceable You” and being wheeled around the room on top of the piano with some of the college students. When Judy Garland is walked to the desert scene [in the studio] after the dance and Ginger Gray starts singing to herself and Mickey Rooney hiding behind a rock starts to whistle the tune, well in fact it is actually Roger Edens who is actually whistling. John Fricke goes into great detail about the extensive career of Roger Edens and feels he is one of those unsung careers that deserves a lot more examination and John Fricke goes into great details about his career, but Roger Edens was born in Hillsboro the City in Texas in November 1905, after college he went to study music in Paris, he then left to go to New York and got his first job in a theatre on Broadway with the recommendation of George Gershwin, after a time on Broadway decided to go to Los Angeles in 1934 and Arthur Freed observed his work and was offered a contract with M-G-M, and had a prolific career with M-G-M Studios, and also had a long collaboration with Judy Garland in her career, and won several Oscars® for the musical scores for ‘Easter Parade,’ ‘On The Town’ and ‘Annie Get Your Gun,’ and with his last film, got his final screen credit as an associate producer for the film ‘Hello, Dolly!’ and shortly after that sadly passed away in Los Angeles in July 1970. With the final big number “I Got Rhythm” that was specifically directed by Busby Berkeley and of course anted more extravagant effects, it had a schedule for four days shoot, but suddenly if telescoped to a nine day shoot, and the film was instantly and almost $100,000 over budget and in the words of Roger Edens, who musically adapted the whole film and said, “We designed about the numbers presentations, I wanted it rhythmic and simply staged, but Busby Berkeley had his big ensemble and trick camera’s into it again, plus lots of girls and western outfits with fringe skirts and people cracking whips and firing guns, cannons going off all over my arrangements and Judy’s voice.” Well he shouted at Busby Berkeley and said, “There is not a lot of room on the lot for both of us,” and at that point Busby Berkeley was removed and replaced by Norman Taurog, and at the same time Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney complained at his dictatorship attitude, and so Busby Berkeley was shipped off the 20th Century Fox for an Alice Faye film. Two decades later on Busby Berkeley praised both Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney who in his opinion never topped any other dance duo in Hollywood films. With Busby Berkeley gone, “I Got Rhythm” remains a lavish exercise in movie production, thus when you see the final production number, you see why it was transposed to the final scene in the film, but despite the troubles inherent in the staging, there were gleeful moments on the set. John Fricke says about the film ‘GIRL CRAZY,’ is that there is some dated aspect of these types of films, they are in many ways of their time, but as such, they can serve as a reminder of the innocents, self-position and joy, the teams can manifests in years before the problems and pressures of society and substance encroached on the American young, but none have stood the test of time as has Joseph Yule Jr. from Brooklyn, New York, and Frances Ethel Gumm from Grand Rapids, Minnesota, and finally signs off by saying, “This is John Fricke, thanks for listening.” Yes John Fricke, it was a total joy to hear your fascinating and informative audio commentary and definitely gets a five star rating from me and it was such a joy hearing John Fricke’s his knowledge on Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney and of course the amazing ‘GIRL CRAZY’ film.
POST SCRIPT: It is a known fact that John Fricke knows more about Judy Garland and probably Mickey Rooney, because he has written several books about Judy Garland and especially the film ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ so he was the perfect choice to provide for ‘GIRL CRAZY’ audio commentary. In John Fricke’s typically bright and engaging manner, provides career information of the cast and crew, and chronicles the film's production history, and cites various script changes, but what really makes this audio commentary track noteworthy are the numerous personal anecdotes John Fricke relates about Mickey Rooney and especially Judy Garland from friends and colleagues, which allows us to better understand their personalities, appreciate their mutual devotion, and respect their inestimable talent. Finally, if you've got the time, then this delightful audio commentary of the film ‘GIRL CRAZY’ will greatly enhance your enjoyment of the film and is well worth a listening to.
Special Feature: Hollywood Daredevils [1943] [480i] [1.37:1] [9:21] This one-reel vintage short instalment of the popular “Pete Smith Specialty” take a looks at legendary movie stuntman Harry Woolman and also honours film industry stuntmen, who perform some impressive and dangerous stunts. Apart from a heart stopping scene with a vehicle crashing through a burning building and turning over in water to put out the flames (all presented with let's-not-get-too-serious jokes), there is a three part "running gag" involving a truck sporting a plane-propeller and wings that isn't trying to fly... but swim!... and can't quite make the ramp. The finale tops earlier clips of motorcycles leaping over each other with vehicles leaping from bridges with "you missed your ferry!" gag-lines. Narrated by Pete Smith.
Special Feature: Vintage M-G-M Cartoon: The Early Bird Dood It! [1942] [1080p] [1.37:1] [8:51] This Tex Avery cartoon chronicles a feisty worm's efforts to bump off a hungry bird. Every morning, the bird lies in wait to nab the worm, so far without success. To help protect himself, the worm enlists the help of a cat, albeit a somewhat dopey cat. As the bird chases the worm, and as the cat chases the bird, the worm thinks he's got the solution to all his problems, which may sacrifice his new relationship with the cat. But the cat's not quite as dopey as he first appears. Cast Voice: Frank Graham (Bird voice) (uncredited) and Dick Nelson (Worm / Cat voice) (uncredited). Director: Tex Avery. Producer: Fred Quimby. Screenplay: Rich Hogan (story). Composer: Scott Bradley.
Special Feature: “I Got Rhythm” Stereo Version [1943] [1080p] [1.37:1] [7:31] This special feature is promoting the fantastic musical “I Got Rhythm” number from the film ‘GIRL CRAZY’ and supposedly hearing it in a Stereo Remix Version. But to be honest, there was not in my opinion a lot of difference compared to hearing the actual audio presentation in the original final scene in the film, because you hear it exactly in the same 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio Stereo, which to me sounded exactly the same audio presentation in the same scene in the actual film, because it is much lower in volume and I had to crank up the volume quite considerably to hear it properly and to be honest I much preferred to hear the original 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio Stereo sound track in the actual film ‘GIRL CRAZY.’
Special Feature: “Bronco Busters” Audio Outtake [1943] [480i] [1.37:1] [2:13] This deleted song is a rousing salute to the Western spirit and features Mickey Rooney, Judy Garland, Nancy Walker, and chorus. It was such a shame it was not in the film.
Theatrical Trailer [1943] [1080p] [1.37:1] [2:13] This is the Original Theatrical Trailer for the film ‘GIRL CRAZY.’
BONUS: Song Selection: Here you can instantly go straight to each of the amazing eleven songs you see and hear in the film ‘GIRL CRAZY.’
Finally, with the film ‘GIRL CRAZY,’ Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland light up the screen in their final starring vehicle that features a dynamite magical songs by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin, and a top-notch cast, and a dazzling finale staged by the one-and-only Busby Berkeley. The story of a pampered playboy who is sent to a western mining college to become a man and falls in love with the Dean Phineas Armour's perky granddaughter Ginger Gray and is very amusing, but with it's memorable songs like "I Got Rhythm," "Embraceable You," and "But Not for Me" that really makes the film ‘GIRL CRAZY’ sing. A terrific transfer produced from the best surviving elements, upgraded audio, and all the extras from the 2007 inferior DVD release, which again beautifully showcases the captivating talents of Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland. Who could ask for anything more? Very Highly Recommended!
Andrew C. Miller – Your Ultimate No.1 Film Aficionado
Le Cinema Paradiso
United Kingdom
