SUMMER STOCK

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CREDITS

1950, 108 minutes, Technicolor.
Producer, Joe Pasternak; Director, Charles Walters; Screenplay, George Wells and Sy Gomberg; Cinematography, Robert Planck; Choreography, Nick Castle and Gene Kelly; Music Director, Johnny Green.

CAST

Jane Falbury, Judy Garland; Joe Ross, Gene Kelly; Orville Wingait, Eddie Bracken; Abigail Falbury, Gloria De Haven; Esme, Marjorie Main; Herb Blake, Phil Silvers; Jasper Wingait, Ray Collins; Artie, Carelton Carpenter; Sarah Higgins, Nita Bieber; Harrison Keath, Hans Conried.

SONGS

Friendly Star; Mem'ry Island; Dig-Dig-Dig For Your Dinner; If You Feel Like Singing, Sing; Happy Harvest; Blue Jean Polka; Portland Fancy by Harry Warren and Mack Gordon; Heavenly Music by Saul Chaplin; You Wonderful You by Warren, Chaplin and Jack Brooks; Get Happy by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler.

PLOT SYNOPSIS

"The plot is a bushel of corn in which Judy plays a New England farm girl who is besieged by a troupe of theater people when her stage-struck sister (Gloria DeHaven) invites them to use the barn as a summer theater. Gene Kelly is head of the troupe of would-be thespians, and it is his musical they are to stage. Judy takes a dim view of the project, however, and insists that they must also work for their supper. The cityfolk try hard, but succeed most in fouling things up and stepping on the toes of Judy's stuffed-shirt fiance (Eddie Bracken). Naturally, Judy, the little farm girl who has barely tolerated the venture, takes over, steals the show with her dazzling performance, and winds up with a sophisticated new boyfriend (Kelly) - and, presumably, a new career in the theater."
- Lawrence B. Thomas, The MGM Years

NOTES

"Judy Garland's last film for MGM was Summer Stock. . .an old-fashioned 'let's put on a show in a barn' yarn, but with adults rather than adolescents in the star parts. . .This juvenile scenario, unworthy of the talents of its two leading players, was redeemed by a series of splendidly staged musical numbers. . ."
- Clive Hirschhorn, The Hollywood Musical

"Whenever any of the youngsters in this venture give way to song or dance - and they are eagerly disposed in that direction - joy reigns and the barnyard jumps. . .'Get Happy' finds Miss Garland looking and performing her best."
Bosley Crowther, The New York Times

"Though Garland is overweight and obviously uncomfortable in much of the picture, she and Kelly bring conviction to their love scenes and make them naively fresh. . .For all the messiness, this a likable picture, with lots of good songs and dances. . ."
- Pauline Kael, 5001 Nights At The Movies


Hans Conried's vocals were dubbed by Pete Roberts.

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