Here at PEPS, this July is #CleanMovieMonth2020! In honor of this event, I am publishing reviews of twenty American Breen Era (1934-1954) movies which I have never seen before during this month. That includes the films I would normally review each week for 100 New Code Films. The additional films are receiving bite-sized reviews which just tell their high points.
#5 – Presenting Lily Mars (1943)
Cast:
Judy Garland, Van Heflin, and Richard Carlson
Production Notes:
Director: Norman Taurog, Producer: Joseph Pasternak, Production Company: MGM
Premise:
A small town from a family of five children with a widowed mother is determined to break into showbusiness by auditioning for a young Broadway producer from her hometown. Although he initially dislikes the persistent young lady, she follows him to New York, where she wears him down until he puts her in his show in a small role and eventually grows very fond of her.
Code Compliance:
Good Code Film
Recommendation:
Highly Recommended, Five Stars
My Thoughts:
I really enjoyed this movie. It is a charming musical, a great example of a Joe Pasternak production. It has that marvelous combination of classical and popular music, humor, sentiment, romance, conflict, and young talent. I love seeing the films he made with Judy Garland. She is delightful in this movie. Her singing sounds wonderful, and she is very humorous in this part. The supporting cast is wonderful. Van Heflin is amusingly disagreeable at first, although we know that he has a soft heart beneath his short temper. This movie also has some very heartwarming moments, such as when Lily (Garland) meets a theater cleaning lady (Connie Gilchrist) who used to be a performer after starting out as a young hopeful just like Lily. They sing her old hit, “Every Little Moment,” as a duet. It’s very sweet. I really loved this movie. If you are a fan of Judy Garland and old musicals, you will love this one!
Happy #CleanMovieMonth2020!
Click here to join our monthlong celebration of nothing but American Breen Era (1934-1954) movies in honor of the Production Code Administration’s anniversary, #CleanMovieMonth2020!
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