FeistyUpper If you don't like this, we can't be friends.

GrimPrecise I'll tell you why so serious

Megamind To all those who have watched it: I hope you enjoyed it as much as I do.

Humbersi The first must-see film of the year.

tortillachips-972-975637 I agree she looked thicker but goodness that determines a good movie or not? Hence, why she had many issues. They harassed actresses then about being skinny made folks crazy. I like the movie. Great singing and dancing. Did the plot have to be supreme? I had fun. She was a very...no extremely talented woman. I will watch anything she ever did in show business. Actresses are nit multi talented like that anymore. Very one dimensional. They are just skinny...big deal. Give me talent anytime. I would watch it again. Love Judy Garland. Besides doesn't help in real life come from unexpected places just like the movie. The farm got help from actors. Hey what a good idea!

funkyfry This picture suffers mostly by comparison to the stars' other films, from their great star turns in films like "Wizard of Oz" and "Singing in the Rain" to their more unconventional duo film "The Pirate." But expecting each MGM musical to hold up to the standards reached at their peak is a formula for disappointment. While it's true that this is the only Judy/Gene film that really has no more substance than a typical Judy/Mickey film would have, it does present the two classic performers in some charming and entertaining vignettes like Gene Kelly's solo dance on a newspaper and Judy's classic "Get Happy" jubilee stomp.The plot is beyond thin -- basically it's the return of the prototypical "let's put on a show in the barn" musical. And basically we're supposed to accept that Judy Garland is a farmer. The music provided, mostly by Harry Warren and Mack Gordon, is mostly enjoyable but not really memorable. The events in the film flow with an almost savage or sadistic determinism -- the instant you see that Garland has bought a brand new tractor and bumbling Phil Silvers comes within 10 feet of it you know there will be a disaster. It robs the supposedly humorous "accident" of any real zest or charm.This is an uninspired and uninspiring film but should please all of those who are fans of the amazing performers at the head of the cast. I feel that even with its trite plot, it could have been a much better film if the characters had been invested with some real feeling and complexity on any kind of level.

lzf0 Yes, this is Garland's last film for MGM. It is also the third Pasternak film with Garland. First there was the ho-hum "Presenting Lily Mars". After "Easter Parade", the Arthur Freed unit was finished with Judy. (Freed tried to star her in "Annie Get Your Gun", but that was never finished. He even tried to re-unite her with Astaire for "Royal Wedding", but she was too sick to work.) It is interesting to look at the differences in approach used to Arthur Freed and Joe Pasternak. Freed was interested in producing musical dramas where the musical numbers were integrated into the plot. Garland was used as a musical actress. Pasternak was more interested in light entertainments which featured the personalities and abilities of the stars. Artistically, the Freed product was superior, but Pasternak tailored his films to spotlight his performers. Garland's comedic skills were better showcased in both "Summer Stock" and "In the Good Old Summertime". While "In the Good Old Summertime" is a romantic comedy with musical and slapstick interludes, "Summer Stock" is a full blown musical comedy.While Judy Garland and Gene Kelly are the stars of the film, they share highlights with other performers. Phil Silvers is the top comic. Already a star after his triumph in "High Button Shoes", I only wish he was given even more to do. He does his trademark "Glad to See Ya" and "Funny, Funny" catchphrases, provides some slapsticky episodes, and is partnered with Kelly in a couple of comic musical numbers. Eddie Bracken is excellent as the second lead. He plays a variation on his Preston Sturges created character. I only wish he had been given a musical number to do with Gloria DeHaven. Miss DeHaven, as Garland's spoiled sister, is welcome and her singing is smooth and soothing. Marjorie Main plays a variation on her Ma Kettle character. Even Hans Conried shows up as a hammy actor. Although he doesn't have a good bit like his singing teacher sketch with Jerry Lewis in "The Patsy", he still brings a smile to your face. Unfortunately, Carlton Carpenter is not given a chance to show his dancing skills.Kelly plays the straight role, while Garland plays the exasperated farmer. Her comic frustration is brilliant. There's so much to analyze in her performance. The viewer can see that she is a nervous wreck. This makes the comedy that much funnier. She is in need of a good therapist and the Kelly character provides her with this. Her scenes with Bracken make you wonder, "Who is more nervous in this scene?" Of course, Bracken was playing nervous, while it's the real thing with Judy. Even in poor health, her singing is first rate and her dancing is terrific. She keeps up with Kelly in every step; there's no cheating. "Get Happy" is a classic, even if it doesn't really fit into the movie.The songs in the film are underrated. Harry Warren was a first rate song smith who had more hits in movies than even the great Broadway composers. "You, Wonderful, You" is a hidden gem that deserves more interpretations. The same is true of "Friendly Star". Garland used "Happy Harvest" and "If You Feel Like Singing" during her concert appearances. Saul Chaplin's "All for You" never made it to the original soundtrack album and got lost in the shuffle. Added after Harry Warren had moved on to his next assignment, it is a masterful opening number. The Skip Martin arrangement on "Happy Harvest" is excellent and it really swings at the end. Conrad Salinger's string arrangement on "Friendly Star" is sweet and restrained, without becoming saccharine.Although considered a minor film, "Summer Stock" is the best of the Garland-Kelly films. It avoids the uncomfortable plot complications of "For Me and My Gal" and is easier to take than the stylized and hit or miss comedy of "The Pirate". This is just a good, clean musical comedy that spotlights its players nicely.

bkoganbing Summer Stock was the third and last pairing of Gene Kelly and Judy Garland by MGM. It's sad to think that there were no others because of Judy's personal problems. She would have a breakdown and would not be before the cameras again until four year later with A Star Is Born.Judy barely got through Summer Stock. She had been replaced in Annie Get Your Gun by Betty Hutton and had not started Royal Wedding yet, but was also replaced there by Jane Powell. It was Gene Kelly's patience with her that got her through this film. Interesting also because Kelly was not known as the world's most patient man when working.It was worth it because Summer Stock contains some of Judy's best musical moments. Most of the score was written by Harry Warren and Mack Gordon, but someone was inspired at MGM to give Judy Get Happy by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler. That is half of the team that wrote Over the Rainbow for her. Get Happy became another song identified with Judy Garland the rest of her life and into her legend.But a favorite of mine is Howdy Neighbor. I do so love how that number is staged with Judy riding on a tractor through the fields and on the road near her farm. Catch her at the very end of the song and you can visibly see her breathing heavy. She was obviously under a strain doing this number and in fact the whole film.Kelly doesn't do too bad either with a song that became identified with him, You Wonderful You. I still remember him singing it to Miss Piggy when guesting on the Muppets.Summer Stock is another variation on a backstage romance and the discovery of hidden talent. Judy's sister Gloria DeHaven invites the cast and crew of her show to stay at their farm in Connecticut. But Judy's not happy with it. Of course Kelly charms her and discovers along the way who has the real talent in the family.The film holds up well today and the talent of Judy Garland and Gene Kelly is absolutely eternal.