Taraparain
Tells a fascinating and unsettling true story, and does so well, without pretending to have all the answers.
Rio Hayward
All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.
Tayyab Torres
Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.
gkeith_1
Spoilers. Observations. Opinions.Mickey. Judy. Put on a show. Make us happy. We are going to be crying a lot, soon, with entering a world war that was already existing.Out of the barn, right off the bat, I hate black and white. Still, this is what we have. I do love the great Technicolor musical film extravaganzas, but this was not to be had, here.Mickey and Judy were childhood entertainers. They are leads in this film. Everyone else looks like they have been thrown under the bus, in today's parlance. They are so much wallpaper. Mickey and Judy were not the handsomest, prettiest or cutest, but somehow they made it to the top. They could sing and dance, but so could a lot of people. I keep harping on the casting couch. Just consider it.I like the villain vaudeville section, but I think that the latter part of the conga extravaganza is way too long. The long and drawn out dance group scene is tiring to look at. Of course, the parts where Mickey and Judy double dance together are quite excellent. Busby Berkeley did something right, here.I think that the fruit and nut orchestra has stolen the picture. They are so cute. The black tuxedos that they wear are just adorable. Some of the orchestra members are walnuts; are they playing pieces of chocolate and white layer cake, shaped like grand pianos? Hmmmm, it dazzles the senses.Look for Joe Yule, Sr., selling tickets at the fair. A quick eye will catch him. He was the real life father of Mickey Rooney.Finally, don't say that the U.S. thought a world war would happen soon. It already was happening. Herr Hitler invaded Poland in 1939. The U.S. joined the war. It happened after this film was released. It WAS the Great Depression, but the U.S. economy was growing due to manufacture and sales of war materiels to the European war effort in the later 1930s. World War Two ended the Great Depression.Mickey Rooney would join that war, and his later career would suffer because of his absence.Films like this one soon would be helping a war-weary America find some kind of happiness, in a growing dark and dreary time period. 1941 was war time for the U.S., not ending until 1945.You know that song and dance films are my utmost favorite, but I despise black and white -- ugh!! Still, it is what is, again in today's parlance.I am a degreed historian, actress, singer, dancer, film critic and movie reviewer.
edwagreen
Mickey and Judy. The combination of stars couldn't be better. In this one, they're high school teenagers who change their high school band to a dance band and then want to go to Chicago to enter a contest sponsored by Paul Whiteman.The directing by Busby Berkeley couldn't be better. The dance routine during the Conga is memorable with Berkeley's long-line of dancers ever apparent.Rooney steals the picture. His discussions with movie mother, Ann Shoemaker, are memorable as well as poignant as they discuss the meaning of life, what's right and all that other stuff of the times.Garland looks and sounds like she just came out of Oz in 1940 clothing. Her whining is there and all that was needed was Toto and Auntie Em. Nevertheless, her singing is terrific.The gentleman who portrayed the school principal sounded just like Ed Wynn.The film is highly entertaining and an absolute joy to watch.
stimpy25
By Far MY FAVORITE MR movie that he's done in his Career surpassing "The Black Stallion which is an OK film i think. NOT GREAT but an OKfilm. but as for MR other than this film "Mad World" & "Boys Town" this is my Favorite Rooney Film! & As Another Reader has said this IS JG & MR BEST Film BY FAR & i think it has the BEST Soundtrack as well. & The BEST ENDING I LOVE seeing Mickey playing the Drums, i wish THAT he would have done it MORE often than in this film & in (1951)'s B-Movie "The Strip" which isn't a bad movie in itself either. A Great Film & one can see Why MR was at this time the #1 attraction in the world surpassing Even The Great "Clark Gable"! :) among other actors & actress's of that era. & i can't wait till MR's NEW movie that he's doing with Dick Van Dyke to come out. the two haven't done a film since (1969)'s "The Comic" WHICH i have yet to see for myself either. :( BUT IF one wants to start with a MR movie & becoming a fan of his early work or maybe even his later work such as (1981)'s (TVM) "Bill" than They Should start with this one IF they want to start with his Early work. My Rate of this WONDERFUL FILM 10/10
jost-1
A delightful high-energy romp. I think Mickey Rooney outshines Judy Garland in this one (but that might be like comparing apples to oranges, which incidentally play a not incidental role in this movie). Mickey plays the piano, the drums, sings, dances, pitches baseballs and jumps over fences and hedgerows....plus he's good to his widowed mother and turns up the "life's a gas" charm at the drop of a hat. Judy is more serious, reflective, and tender, all of which works well in the songs she performs. I could have done without the extended "Snidely Whiplash" melodrama routine, but hey, what's perfect in this world. The teenagers in this movie, however, look like miniature adults, and moreover, some of Mickey's band members look a little long in the tooth. Was there really a time when jazz was the most shocking thing a kid could be interested in?
