broadway melody of 1938

the year: 1937

the genre: musical


the cast: Robert Taylor (Steve Raleigh); Eleanor Powell (Sally Lee); George Murphy (Sonny Ledford); Buddy Ebsen (Peter Trot); Sophie Tucker (Alice Clayton); Judy Garland (Betty Clayton)


the plot: Steve Raleigh wants to produce a show on Broadway. He finds a backer, Herman Whipple and a leading lady, Sally Lee. But Caroline Whipple forces Steve to use a known star, not a newcomer. Sally purchases a horse she used to train when her parents had a farm before the depression and with two ex-vaudevillians, she trains it to win a race, providing the money Steve needs for his show.


don't miss: Peter Trot, the jockey.

listen for: "Is he deaf?" "Well, he was the last time when I asked him for a raise."



did you know: The song "Dear Mr. Gable" was a birthday present for Clark Gable's 36th birthday. Composer and arranger Roger Edens adapted the old song "You Made Me Love You" by James V. Monaco. It was sung at Gable's birthday party by a young Judy Garland. Producer Louis B. Mayer was so impressed by it, that he gave order to let Garland sing it again in the next great musical MGM was going to produce.

the wizard of oz

the year: 1939

the genre: musical


the cast: Judy Garland (Dorothy); Frank Morgan (The Wizard of Oz + others); Ray Bolger (The Scarecrow / Hunk); Bert Lahr (The Cowardly Lion / Zeke); Jack Haley (The Tin Man / Hickory); Billie Burke (Glinda); Margaret Hamilton (WWotW / Miss Gultch)


the plot: Transported to a surreal landscape, a young girl kills the first person she meets and then teams up with three strangers to kill again.

Just kidding, I laughed when I read that and thought I'd share. :)

You know the plot: Dorothy Gale is swept away by a tornado to a magical land and embarks on a quest to see the Wizard who can help her return home.


don't miss: the horse of a different color. (They used Jell-o to do it.)




watch for: Toto being scared by the steam shooting from the Tin Man's cap - the dog runs out of the shot.




count: how many characters Frank Morgan played - and extra bonus points if you can name them all.



listen for: "Oh please, Professor, why can't we go with you and see all the Crowned Heads of Europe?" "Do you know any? Oh, you mean the... thing. Yes."



did you know: Margaret Hamilton said that whenever she saw the scene where Frank Morgan as the Wizard is giving Dorothy's friends gifts from his "black bag" (a diploma for the Scarecrow, a ticking heart for the Tin Man, and a medal for the Cowardly Lion), she got teary eyed, because "Frank Morgan was just like that in real life - very generous".




also listen for: "Almira Gulch, just because you own half the county doesn't mean that you have the power to run the rest of us. For twenty-three years, I've been dying to tell you what I thought of you! And now... well, being a Christian woman, I can't say it!"



did you also know: Nikko, the name of the head winged monkey, is the name of the Japanese town which houses the shrine featuring the famous Hear No Evil/See No Evil/Speak No Evil monkeys.



did you also also know: (because you all love Snow White so much) in the song "If I Only Had A Heart", the girl who says, "Wherefore art thou, Romeo?" is Adriana Caselotti, the voice of Snow White in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

summer stock

the year: 1950

the genre: musical



the cast: Judy Garland (Jane Falbury); Gene Kelly (Joe Ross); Eddie Bracken (Orville Wingait); Gloria DeHaven (Abigail Falbury); Marjorie Main (Esme); Phil Silvers (Herb Blake); Ray Collins (Jasper G. Wingait)



the plot: As a favor to her actress sister Abigail, New England farmer Jane Falbury allows a group of actors use her barn as a theater for their play. In return, the cast and crew have to help her with the farm chores. During rehearsals, Jane finds herself falling for the show's director, Joe Ross, who also happens to be engaged to the show's leading lady-- Abigail.



don't miss: Gene Kelly's "newspaper dance".


check out: "You, Wonderful You" is also a pretty good number - kinda sweet.

count: how many pieces/parts make up Jane's tractor.



listen for: "That actor! She's in love with that actor!"

did you know: On one particular day of fiming, Judy Garland was said to be "not in a fit state to work" so Gene Kelly feigned a fall so that she would be able to take the day off.

easter parade

the year: 1948

the genre: musical



the cast: Judy Garland (Hannah Brown); Fred Astaire (Don Hewes); Peter Lawford (Jonathan Harrow III); Ann Miller (Nadine Hale); Jules Munshin (Francios)



the plot: When Don Hewes' dancing partner (and object of his affection) Nadine Hale refuses to start a new contract with him, Don is crushed. To prove Nadine's not important to him, Don acquires innocent new protegee Hannah Brown, vowing to make her a star in time for next year's Easter parade.



did you know: Judy Garland and Fred Astaire had not met before filming this movie - although they were both big stars at the time.



check out: the shedding feathered gown worn by Judy Garland in one of their numbers. It's an inside joke referring to Ginger Rogers' problematic gown in Top Hat.


don't miss: Jules Munshin's film debut as Francios the waiter. (I'll have the salad, please.)




listen for: "Can you drown a brunette in this?" bartender: "How tall is she?" "Five foot six." (after filling the glass more) "Try this."


extra bonus points: if you know who was set to star in the movie instead of Astaire and Garland.