She was born Francis Ethel Gumm, he was born Joseph Yule Jr, but the world knew them as Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney.
Above together for the first time in 1937's "Thoroughbreds Don't Cry".
At the age of six, Joseph became the character, "Mickey McGuire", in series of 78 comedy shorts between 1927 and 1936. During that period, Joseph Yule, Jr changed his name first to Mickey Yule, next to Mickey McGuire, and finally, the stage name of Mickey Rooney.
Above the 1927 Mickey McGuire short, "Mickey's Circus".
In 1934, Mickey Rooney portrayed "Blackie Gallagher" as a boy. The adult "Blackie" was played by Clark Gable in "Manhattan Melodrama", a movie remembered, because gangster John Dillinger watched it and as he left the movie theater was killed by FBI Agents.
Above, Clark Gable with 14-years-old Mickey Rooney. Below, Rooney as "Puck" in the "Warner Brothers", all-star, 1934 version of William Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Nights Dream".
The film would be followed by Mickey Rooney moving from "Warner Brothers" to "Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer".
On August 14, 1929, a short subject entitled "The Big Revue" was released and appearing on-screen for the first time were "The Gumm Sisters".
Above, "The Gumm Sisters", left to right, Francis Ethel, Dorothy Virginia, and Mary Jane performing the song, "That's the Good Old Sunny South".
In January 1930, the "Gumm Sisters" appeared in the short film "Bubbles".
Below, "Baby Gumm" aka: Francis Ethel doing a solo in "Bubbles".
The sisters also appeared in the 1930 shorts, "A Holiday in Storyland" with a solo by Francis, and, "The Wedding of Jack and Jill".
"The Gumm Sisters" toured the vaudeville circuit, but in 1934, appearing with comedian George "Georgie" Jessel, at the "Oriental Theater", in Chicago. Jessel suggested the girls get a more appealing last name and they became "The Garland Sisters".
Above, Mary Jane now known as Suzanne, Dorothy Virginia, and Francis Ethel.
Three main stories about the choice of their new last name exist. The first is that Jessel gave them the name "Garland", using the character actress Carol Lombard played, "Lily Garland", in the 1934 motion picture "Twentieth Century". Which was showing on the big screen, at the Oriental, with the vaudeville acts at the time.
Judy Garland's daughter Lorna Luft stated the last name did come from Jessel, but only after he said the three sisters looked:
Prettier than a garland of flowers.
While a third states, the sisters chose the name after drama critic Robert Garland.
Whichever of the three, or maybe yet another story. The fact remained that the girls were now "The Garland Sisters" and Francis changed her name to "Judy", after hearing the popular Hoagy Carmichael song of that name.
The "Garland" sisters only lasted until about August 1935, when Suzanne left to marry musician Lee Kahn. However, on December 7, 1935, an already filmed Technicolor short, entitled "La Fiesta de Santa Barbara", was released by "Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer". It became the last appearance of "The Garland Sisters" and they sang "La Cucaracha".
On March 12, 1937, the movie audiences first saw Mickey play "Andy Hardy" in "A Family Affair" starring Lionel Barrymore as "Judge James K. 'Jim' Hardy". "MGM" considered the story of the "Hardy Family" as a one-shot motion picture at the time.
Louis B. Mayer had overheard Judy singing at Clark Gable's Birthday Party, that the studio had given for the actor. He ordered that the small film role she was to shoot, be expanded to include the unknown Judy Garland singing the same song, but to a photo of Gable and not the real actor to keep costs down.
On August 20, 1937, American audiences saw "Judy Garland" as "Betty Clayton" sing "Dear Mr. Gable", in the "Broadway Melody of 1938", starring Robert Taylor, Eleanor Powell, and "George Murphy.
Garland sing the specially written "Dear Mr. Gable", as a lead-in to "You Made Me Love You (I Didn't Want to Do It)", turned seventh billed Judy Garland into an overnight fan favorite. Mayer rushed the 15-years old singer into a motion picture with "First Billing".
The following link, at the time of writing this article, will take my reader to "Dear Mr. Gable".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OrCar5qFsQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OrCar5qFsQ
THOROUGHBREDS DON'T CRY released on December 3, 1937
Mickey should have had first billing, but the overnight popularity from "Dear Mr. Gable", put Judy in first position. Two things started here, a life-long friendship and the first teaming of Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney.
Above, Judy Garland portraying "Cricket West", and Mickey Rooney portraying "Timmie Donovan".
Judy sang two songs, "Got A Pair of New Shoes", and "Sun Showers", the second was cut from the picture. The following link is a recording of the song from the movie.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yXYJqk_q6s
"Cricket West" wants to be an actress and lives at her eccentric aunt's, "Mother Ralph", played by Sophie Tucker, boarding house for jockey's. One of her aunt's boarders is "Timmie Donovan" and when Englishman "Roger Calveton", played by Ronald Sinclair, wants "Timmie" to ride for him in a very high stakes race.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yXYJqk_q6s
"Cricket West" wants to be an actress and lives at her eccentric aunt's, "Mother Ralph", played by Sophie Tucker, boarding house for jockey's. One of her aunt's boarders is "Timmie Donovan" and when Englishman "Roger Calveton", played by Ronald Sinclair, wants "Timmie" to ride for him in a very high stakes race.
Enter, "Timmie's" father, "Click Donovan", played by Charles D. Brown, who gets his son disqualified so that "Sinclair's" horse will lose the race. However, to the rescue come both "Cricket" and her aunt, the race is won by "Timmie", and his father ends up arrested.
Above, Ronald Sinclair, Judy Garland, and Mickey Rooney. I could not locate the horse's name. Below, Sinclair, Garland, and Sophie Tucker.
Above, Ronald Sinclair, Judy Garland, and Mickey Rooney. I could not locate the horse's name. Below, Sinclair, Garland, and Sophie Tucker.
Above, Judy singing "Got a Pair of New Shoes", below, as of this writing, is a link to the video of the song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykqqgrAxdBY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykqqgrAxdBY
Below a publicity shot of Mickey and Judy in the "MGM School".
That one shot "Hardy Family" movie only lasted through November 1937. As Mickey made two more "Andy Hardy" features with Lewis Stone now playing his father. The first was released on December 10, 1937 as "You're Only Young Once", and the second on, March 26, 1938 as "Judge Hardy's Children" and a extremely popular series of films was launched.
Below, Mickey with Lewis Stone in "You're Only Young Once".
Below, Mickey with Lewis Stone in "You're Only Young Once".
Judy only made one film after "Thoroughbreds Don't Cry", and that was the musical "Everybody Sing". However, her second billing came between popular male actor and singer, Allan Jones, directed James Whale's classic 1936 "Showboat" co-starring Irene Dunne, and Fanny Brice, the "Ziegfeld Follies" star.
Below left to right, Fanny Brice, Allan Jones, and Judy Garland.
Below left to right, Fanny Brice, Allan Jones, and Judy Garland.
LOVE FINDS ANDY HARDY released on July 22m 1938
Above, Mickey Rooney and his three girlfriends, Judy Garland, Ann Rutherford, and Lana Turner., Below, Ann Rutherford, Mickey Rooney, Judy Garland and Lana Turner.
The basic story line had "Andy's" girlfriend "Polly Benefict", Rutherford, going on a Christmas visit to her grandmother for the next three weeks. Staying with her grandparents, for Christmas, is Garland, in the first of three film in the series, as "Betsy Booth". Who develops a crush on "Andy", but adding to this mix is that "Andy's" best friend, "Beezy", played by George P. Breakston, is going out of town for Christmas and wants "Andy" to date his girlfriend "Cynthia", Turner, so no other boys will date her. All while "Andy" just made a down payment on a car making, him more attractive to "Cynthia" and "Betsy" jealous.
Judy sang in her first of three films in the series, "Meet the Beat of My Heart", "It Never Rains---But It Pours", and, "In-Between".
Ann Rutherford had been appearing in motion picture since 1934, and her primary career would be playing "Andy's" girlfriend "Polly Benedict" through the entire series. However, her other films included having sixth billing in the Greer Garson and Laurence Olivier, 1940 version of Jane Auston's "Pride and Prejudice" from a screenplay by author Aldous Huxley, playing "Carreen" one of Vivian Leigh's sisters in 1939's "Gone with the Wind", co-starring with comedian Red Skelton in 1943's "Whistling in Brooklyn", and in 1950, Ann Rutherford switched to television roles for the next twenty-six years.
This was Lana Turner's fifth on-screen role and two had been without credited and one as a maid. Her break-through role was 1939's "Dancing Co-Ed" with first billing, but it was the 1940 musical "Two Girls on Broadway" billed over Joan Blondell and George Murphy that made her an "MGM" star and led to third billing in the Spencer Tracy and Ingrid Bergman 1941 "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde".
Ann Rutherford had been appearing in motion picture since 1934, and her primary career would be playing "Andy's" girlfriend "Polly Benedict" through the entire series. However, her other films included having sixth billing in the Greer Garson and Laurence Olivier, 1940 version of Jane Auston's "Pride and Prejudice" from a screenplay by author Aldous Huxley, playing "Carreen" one of Vivian Leigh's sisters in 1939's "Gone with the Wind", co-starring with comedian Red Skelton in 1943's "Whistling in Brooklyn", and in 1950, Ann Rutherford switched to television roles for the next twenty-six years.
This was Lana Turner's fifth on-screen role and two had been without credited and one as a maid. Her break-through role was 1939's "Dancing Co-Ed" with first billing, but it was the 1940 musical "Two Girls on Broadway" billed over Joan Blondell and George Murphy that made her an "MGM" star and led to third billing in the Spencer Tracy and Ingrid Bergman 1941 "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde".
Below, a cast "Family Picture".
Back row left to right, Cecila Parker as "Marian Hardy", "Andy's" older sister, Ann Rutherford as "Polly Benedict", Judy Garland as "Betsy Booth", Gene Reynolds as "Jimmy MacMahon, Jr", a friend of "Andy's", Lana Turner as "Cynthia", and Mickey Rooney.
Front row, left to right, Betsy Rose Clarke as "Aunt Milly", Lewis Stone as "Judge James K. 'Jim' Hardy" and Fay Holden as "Mrs. Emily Hardy".
Front row, left to right, Betsy Rose Clarke as "Aunt Milly", Lewis Stone as "Judge James K. 'Jim' Hardy" and Fay Holden as "Mrs. Emily Hardy".
Mickey's next motion picture was 1938's "Boys Town" co-starring with Spence Tracy as the real-life "Father Flanagan". They would reunite for 1941's "Men of Boys Town".
Judy made two pictures after "Love Finds Andy Hardy", the second became a classic she would forever be known for, 1939's "The Wizard of Oz".
Above, a scene with the original cast of "The Wizard of Oz", that's Buddy Ebsen before the make-up caused him to be hospitalized and replaced by Jack Haley as the "Tin Man", seen below, in a different make-up base. Note the change to Judy Garland's "Dorothy Gale" between the two shoots.
Judy made two pictures after "Love Finds Andy Hardy", the second became a classic she would forever be known for, 1939's "The Wizard of Oz".
Above, a scene with the original cast of "The Wizard of Oz", that's Buddy Ebsen before the make-up caused him to be hospitalized and replaced by Jack Haley as the "Tin Man", seen below, in a different make-up base. Note the change to Judy Garland's "Dorothy Gale" between the two shoots.
My article, 'BUDDY EBSEN: From the 'Baby Astaire's' to 'Davy Crockett" will be found at:
The following picture was the next film for Judy, but the sixth for Mickey since "Boys Town", including three "Andy Hardy's".
BABES IN ARMS premiered in Houston, Texas, on September 15, 1939
"Babes in Arms" was a Broadway musical by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart, but with the exception of two songs, the entire score was thrown out by "Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer". The two songs left were "The Lady is a Tramp", but only the music and not the lyrics remained as a background piece during a dinner scene. The other song was "Where or When" and would be performed by Judy Garland.
The new musical score was written by Arthur Freed and Nacio Herb Brown, Harold Allen and E.Y. Harburg, and Rodger Edens.
"MGM" tossed out the original book (the play's script) by Richard Rodgers and had eight writers, Jack MacGowan, Kay Van Riper, Anita Loos, Noel Langley, John Meehan, Florence Ryerson, Annalee Whitmore, and Edgar Allan Woof work on it to get final approval.
MacGowan and Van Ripper got the only on-screen credit.
This was the first musical entirely directed and choregraphed by Busby Berkeley. My article, "Busby Berkeley: Imagination In Dance On The Silver Screen", will be found at:
http://www.bewaretheblog.com/2022/04/busby-berkeley-imagination-in-dance-on.html
Mickey Rooney portrayed "Mickey Moran". Mickey had just been seen in 1939's "Andy Hardy Gets Spring Fever". He would follow this picture with 1939's "Judge Hardy and Son".
http://www.bewaretheblog.com/2022/04/busby-berkeley-imagination-in-dance-on.html
Mickey Rooney portrayed "Mickey Moran". Mickey had just been seen in 1939's "Andy Hardy Gets Spring Fever". He would follow this picture with 1939's "Judge Hardy and Son".
Judy Garland portrayed "Patsy Barton". Judy followed this feature with a 1940, eight-minute short film tribute to Will Rodgers, entitled "If I Forget You". It opens with Garland singing the title song for three-minutes of this tribute and featured Bette Davis.
Below, Mickey and Judy do a lampoon of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and his wife, First Lady Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. After FDR's death in 1945, the routine was removed from the motion picture and thought lost, but a 16 mm print of it was found and restored in the motion picture during the 1990's.
The screenplay has the famous child star, who isn't a child anymore, but is still called "Baby' Rosalie Essex" played by June Preisser. Preisser was best known as Judy Garland's competition in this picture and 1940's "Strike Up the Band". She was an acrobatic dancer, a contortionist, and had that Shirley Temple dimpled look and blonde hair. June Preisser would follow this picture, without Judy, in 1939's "Judge Hardy and Son" as "Eurphrasia 'Phrasie' Daisy Clarke".
Above, Mickey Rooney and June Preisser
The screenplay was about the parents as much as the kids and the impact of the end of vaudeville on families.
Charles Winninger portrayed "Joe Moran". Winninger was actually a veteran vaudevillian who made the transition to motion picture. In 1936 he portrayed "Captain Andy" in director James Whale's, previously mentioned, classic version of the Rodgers and Hart musical "Show Boat". That starred Irene Dunne, Allan Jones, Paul Robeson, Hattie McDaniel and the great Helen Morgan. He followed this picture with the Marlene Dietrich and James Stewart 1939 classic Western "Destry Rides Again".
My article, "James Whale: Jean Harlow to Louis Hayward", that includes "Showboat", can be read at:
http://www.bewaretheblog.com/2020/07/james-whale-jean-harlow-to-louis-hayward.html
My article, "James Whale: Jean Harlow to Louis Hayward", that includes "Showboat", can be read at:
http://www.bewaretheblog.com/2020/07/james-whale-jean-harlow-to-louis-hayward.html
Grace Hayes portrayed "Florrie Morgan". Her career consisted of only eleven motion pictures and shorts combined.
Above left to right, Mickey Rooney, Grace Hayes, Charles Winninger, and Judy Garland.
Betty Jaynes portrayed "Molly Moran". Opera singer Jaynes' career totaled 14 roles, eight without credit, and her last was a 1952 episode of "I Love Lucy" entitled "The Operetta".
Douglas McPhail portrayed "Don Brice" and the baritone sang the rousing "Babes in Arms".
Above, Betty Jaynes and Douglas McPhail, the two was secretly married in 1938, had a daughter, and then in 1941 divorced with Jaynes being given sole custody of their daughter. A distraught McPhail took poison, but had called his mother and she sent medical assistance to save her son.
In 1943 Douglas McPhail volunteered for the army, during basic training he fell and spent eight-months bedridden, and was medically discharged. Now 30-years of age, the up-and-coming singer became a gardener to raise money for his musical schooling. On either December 4th, 6th, or 7th, 1944, depending on the biography and having been diagnosed with acute nervous exhaustion, Douglas McPhail took poison once more and passed away.
Betty Jaynes portrayed "Molly Moran". Opera singer Jaynes' career totaled 14 roles, eight without credit, and her last was a 1952 episode of "I Love Lucy" entitled "The Operetta".
Douglas McPhail portrayed "Don Brice" and the baritone sang the rousing "Babes in Arms".
Above, Betty Jaynes and Douglas McPhail, the two was secretly married in 1938, had a daughter, and then in 1941 divorced with Jaynes being given sole custody of their daughter. A distraught McPhail took poison, but had called his mother and she sent medical assistance to save her son.
In 1943 Douglas McPhail volunteered for the army, during basic training he fell and spent eight-months bedridden, and was medically discharged. Now 30-years of age, the up-and-coming singer became a gardener to raise money for his musical schooling. On either December 4th, 6th, or 7th, 1944, depending on the biography and having been diagnosed with acute nervous exhaustion, Douglas McPhail took poison once more and passed away.
"Joe Moran's" vaudeville career is over with the coming of talking pictures and like many of the ex-vaudeville parents, is going nowhere. While their children are facing being sent into an institution, because the parents can't support them. "Mickey" writes music and when he learns his father and the other parents plan to go on the road to raise money to keep their children with them. He suggests they take their children with them, but his idea is turned down.
With the parents on the road, "Martha Steele", played by the evil "Wicked Witch of the West" herself, Margaret Hamilton, and her military school nephew, "Jeff", played by Rand Brooks, complain to "Judge Black", played by Guy Kibbee, and want the vaudeville kids sent to the institution now, but the judge refuses their request.
With the parents on the road, "Martha Steele", played by the evil "Wicked Witch of the West" herself, Margaret Hamilton, and her military school nephew, "Jeff", played by Rand Brooks, complain to "Judge Black", played by Guy Kibbee, and want the vaudeville kids sent to the institution now, but the judge refuses their request.
Above, left to right, Guy Kibbee, Maragart Hamilton, and Rand Brooks
In a drug store, the couple "Mickey" and "Patsy", meet famous movie star "Baby Rosalie Essex", but "Jeff" enters and "Mickey" gets into a fight with him, causing damage. Brought before "Judge Black", "Mickey" tells him that their parents show flopped and the kindly Judge gives him 30-days to repay the damage he caused.
In a drug store, the couple "Mickey" and "Patsy", meet famous movie star "Baby Rosalie Essex", but "Jeff" enters and "Mickey" gets into a fight with him, causing damage. Brought before "Judge Black", "Mickey" tells him that their parents show flopped and the kindly Judge gives him 30-days to repay the damage he caused.
With the help of "Baby", "Mickey" gets the money to put on the show the kids have been working on, but he has to tell "Patsy", that because she paid the money, "Baby" now has the lead.
Above, June Preisser, Mickey Rooney, and Douglas McPhail.
However, "Baby's" father pulls her from the show, putting "Patsy" back as the lead. The show is performed to a sold-out audience including the vaudeville parents. As the fighting for their future, "Babes in Arms", prove they've got talent and stop the possibility of going into an institution. In the audience is Broadway producer "Madox", played by Henry Hull, who will produce "Mickey's" show. The movie ends with a big Busby Berkeley production number of the song "God's Country".
Above, Mickey Rooney doing Al Jolson and Judy Garland doing Lena Horne.
Mickey Rooney was nominated by the "Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences" for the "Best Actor Oscar", he was 19-years-old, but like the other nominees, Clark Gable for "Gone with the Wind", Laurence Olivier for "Wuthering Heights", and James Stewart for "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington", lost to Robert Donat for "Good-bye Mr. Chips".
"Babes in Arms" was followed by Judy's second appearance in an "Andy Hardy" feature.
ANDY HARDY MEETS DEBUTANTE released on July 6, 1940
The "Hardy Family" was back and so was Judy Garland as " Betsy Booth. Right before Judy's name on the above poster is Diana Lewis portraying "Daphne Fowler", the "Debutante" of the film's title. Lewis quit motion pictures and married actor William Powell in 1940 and stayed happily married until his death in 1984.
The plot has Mickey Rooney's "Andy Hardy" making up stories that he is romantically involved with socialite "Daphne Fowler", who lives in New York City, far away from "Andy's" hometown. However, "Judge Hardy" has to appear in a New York court and brings his family with him. It is then that "Andy" must face his lies and meet "Daphne". "Betsy Booth" is also in New York and "Andy" reveals the truth of his situation and it turns out that "Betsy" and "Daphne" are friends. The way out of his lies comes with "Daphne" going out and seen with "Andy"
ANDY HARDY MEETS DEBUTANTE released on July 6, 1940
The plot has Mickey Rooney's "Andy Hardy" making up stories that he is romantically involved with socialite "Daphne Fowler", who lives in New York City, far away from "Andy's" hometown. However, "Judge Hardy" has to appear in a New York court and brings his family with him. It is then that "Andy" must face his lies and meet "Daphne". "Betsy Booth" is also in New York and "Andy" reveals the truth of his situation and it turns out that "Betsy" and "Daphne" are friends. The way out of his lies comes with "Daphne" going out and seen with "Andy"
.
Above Mickey Rooney and Diana Lewis.
Judy does sing, two songs, "Alone", and "I'm Nobody's Baby".
STRIKE UP THE BAND released on September 27, 1940
As with "Babes in Arms", there was an original 1927 Broadway musical "Strike Up the Band" from a book (play) by Morrie Ryskind and lyrics by Ira Gershwin and music by George Gershwin. The only resemblance between the musical and this film is the title song.
Mickey Rooney portrayed "Jimmy Connors". Mickey followed this picture with two shorts and then another entry in the "Andy Hardy" series, 1941's "Andy Hardy's Private Secretary". not with Judy Garland, but 7th billed Kathryn Grayson in her first motion picture.
Judy Garland portrayed "Mary Holden". Judy followed this picture with, in first billing, a musical comedy 1940 "Little Nellie Kelly", co-starring George Murphy and Charles Winninger.
Popular band leader Paul Whiteman appeared as himself as both an actor and with his orchestra.
June Preisser portrayed "Barbara Francis Moran". She followed this picture with 1940's "Gallant Sons" starring Jackie Cooper and Bonita Granville.
The threesome, Garland, Rooney, and Presser.
This is a great Busby Berkeley musical and really shows off the talents of his two leads.
"Jimmy Connors" is a student at Riverwood High School and plays the drums, but has a dream of having an orchestra of his own. With the help of his "Gal" "Mary Holden", the two sell the principle on creating a fund raising dance to pay for the instruments the music department is in debt over.
Paul Whiteman announces a contest in Chicago for the best High School Music Group and "Jimmy" wants to take the Riverwood Band there, but how to raise the money for the plane trip? In three weeks, the kids write, plan and put on a show, the musical melodrama "Nell from New Rochelle".
The threesome, Garland, Rooney, and Presser.
This is a great Busby Berkeley musical and really shows off the talents of his two leads.
"Jimmy Connors" is a student at Riverwood High School and plays the drums, but has a dream of having an orchestra of his own. With the help of his "Gal" "Mary Holden", the two sell the principle on creating a fund raising dance to pay for the instruments the music department is in debt over.
Paul Whiteman announces a contest in Chicago for the best High School Music Group and "Jimmy" wants to take the Riverwood Band there, but how to raise the money for the plane trip? In three weeks, the kids write, plan and put on a show, the musical melodrama "Nell from New Rochelle".
The nutty musical is a success, but they're still short some money. "Jimmy" goes to Paul Whiteman and is able to get the musician to loan him the remaining money for the band to compete. However, there is an accident and band member "Willie Brewster" is injured and needs an operation and the only doctor that can perform the surgery is in Chicago.
"Jimmy" gives "Willie's" parents the money to send him to Chicago. The band is given a last minute gift of a train ride to Chicago that will get the band there just in time, as the town turns out to send them off.
The Riverwood High School band wins the competition and Paul Whiteman lets "Jimmy Connors" conduct his orchestra. As Busby Berkeley puts together an excellent production number around the song "Strike Up the Band".
The following link takes my reader, at the time of this writing, to "The Drummer Boy" number that shows off another real talent of Mickey Rooney.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghj7XY5L87Y
"Jimmy" gives "Willie's" parents the money to send him to Chicago. The band is given a last minute gift of a train ride to Chicago that will get the band there just in time, as the town turns out to send them off.
The Riverwood High School band wins the competition and Paul Whiteman lets "Jimmy Connors" conduct his orchestra. As Busby Berkeley puts together an excellent production number around the song "Strike Up the Band".
The following link takes my reader, at the time of this writing, to "The Drummer Boy" number that shows off another real talent of Mickey Rooney.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghj7XY5L87Y
LIFE BEGINS FOR ANDY HARDY released on August 15, 1941
Above, Mickey Rooney as "Andy", Judy Garland as "Betsy", Ann Rutherford as "Polly", and Lewis Stone as "Judge Hardy".
About "Andy Hardy's Parents":
Throughout the "Andy Hardy Series", Lewis Stone had first billing as "Judge James K. 'Jim' Hardy". Stone has been a leading man in some classic 1930's motion pictures. He co-starred with Greta Garbo in 1933's "Queen Christina", portrayed "Captain Smollett" opposite Wallace Beery and Jackie Cooper in 1934's "Treasure Island", was one of the three outlaws in the 1936 realistic version of "The Three Godfathers", and was "Scotland Yard Inspector Nayland Smith" after Boris Karloff, in 1932's "Mask of Fu Manchu" co-starring with a sadistic Myrna Loy as "Fu's Daughter".
My article, "The Three Godfathers: A Christmas Allegory Interpreted By John Ford, William Wyler, Richard Boleslawski, and Edward Le Saint", can be read at:
http://www.bewaretheblog.com/2022/04/the-three-godfathers-christmas-allegory.html
My article, "The Three Godfathers: A Christmas Allegory Interpreted By John Ford, William Wyler, Richard Boleslawski, and Edward Le Saint", can be read at:
http://www.bewaretheblog.com/2022/04/the-three-godfathers-christmas-allegory.html
Fourth billed, British actress, Fay Holden, remained as "Mrs. Emily Hardy" throughout the entire series. She is primarily known for this role, but her other films included small roles in the Clark Gable, Spencer Tracy, and Myrna Loy's 1938 "Test Pilot", 1941's "Ziegfeld Girl" that would star both Judy Garland and Lana Turner, the 1948 Western "Whispering Smith" starring Alan Ladd and Robert Preston, and director Cecil B. DeMile's 1949 "Sampson and Delilah" starring Victor Mature and Hedy Lamarr.
Having graduated from High School, "Andy" considers himself an adult, and won't listen to his father about going to college and becoming a lawyer. Instead, with his friend "Betsy Booth", he drives to New York City to find a job.
Of course, "Andy" finds life in the big city not what he imagined and will learn his lesson that life is not always easy.
In the end, "Andy" returns home to Carvel and becomes a mechanic working on automobiles and thinks of going to college.
BABES ON BROADWAY premiered in New York City on December 31, 1941
This was the third "Backyard Musical" about kids, led by Mickey and Judy, who decide to put on their own musical production.
The feature had two directors, one credited, Busby Berkeley, and one uncredited, Vincente Minnelli. Who would become Judy Garland's second husband on June 15, 1945.
It should be noted that 19-years-old Judy Garland stalled the production, when she eloped to Las Vegas to marry her first husband, composer David Rose, on July 28, 1941!
The feature had two directors, one credited, Busby Berkeley, and one uncredited, Vincente Minnelli. Who would become Judy Garland's second husband on June 15, 1945.
It should be noted that 19-years-old Judy Garland stalled the production, when she eloped to Las Vegas to marry her first husband, composer David Rose, on July 28, 1941!
Mickey Rooney portrayed "Tommy Williams". He would follow this picture with 1942's "The Courtship of Andy Hardy".
Judy Garland portrayed "Penny Morris". Judy followed this picture by starring in 1942's "For Me and My Gal" co-starring George Murphy and Gene Kelly, their first time together.
This was a formula production by now, "Tommy Williams" was performing at a spaghetti shop, loses his job, meets singer "Penny Morris", who has a similar Broadway dream. The two come up with the idea of putting on a show to raise money to send city orphans to the countryside for a short time.
However, the plot was not what the audience came to see, and Busby Berkeley, with Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland, provide uplifting, forget the entry of the United States, only 24 days earlier, into the Second World War, for the moment energy and perfectly timed escapism.
Below Judy Garland, to her left with Virginia Weider as "Barbara Josephine 'Jo' Conway", and to her right, Faye Bainter as "Miss 'Jonesy' Jones".
However, the plot was not what the audience came to see, and Busby Berkeley, with Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland, provide uplifting, forget the entry of the United States, only 24 days earlier, into the Second World War, for the moment energy and perfectly timed escapism.
Below Judy Garland, to her left with Virginia Weider as "Barbara Josephine 'Jo' Conway", and to her right, Faye Bainter as "Miss 'Jonesy' Jones".
Below Mickey Rooney as "Cyrano de Bergerac" and Judy Garland in one of the scenes from the "Ghost Theatre Sequence".
Following are images of one of Busby's production numbers:
Below, the minstrel production number:
There is a motion picture that appears on many listings as another Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney feature together. It is technically, but not in the way of the previous films.
THOUSANDS CHEER released on September 13, 1943
The motion picture actually stars Kathryn Grayson as "Kathryn Jones", Gene Kelley as "Army Private Eddie Marsh", Mary Astor as "Hyllary Jones", and John Boles as "Army Colonel Bill Jones".
As the above poster indicates, Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland are just two of the "Guest Stars" in the "Stage Show Sequence".
As the above poster indicates, Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland are just two of the "Guest Stars" in the "Stage Show Sequence".
Above, Judy Garland as herself, performing her one song appearance of "The Joint is Really Jumpin' in Carnegie Hall" with pianist Jose Iturbi as himself.
Below, in an unrelated scene, ts Mickey Rooney as himself, as the stage show's host.
GIRL CRAZY released on November 26, 1943
The motion picture started out as being directed by Busby Berkeley and he was replaced, because of disagreements with Judy Garland by Norman Taurog. However, Busby's filming of "Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra" playing George Gershwin's "Fascinating Rhythm" remains as a showpiece of the motion picture.
Below, as of this writing, are two links watch the complete song production and the excellent accompaniment by Mickey Rooney.
Part One
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g21XrVpqbgY
Part Two accompanied by Mickey Rooney on the piano.
Below, as of this writing, are two links watch the complete song production and the excellent accompaniment by Mickey Rooney.
Part One
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g21XrVpqbgY
Part Two accompanied by Mickey Rooney on the piano.
Mickey Rooney portrayed "Danny Churchill, Jr.". He would follow this motion picture with 1944's "Andy Hardy's Blonde Trouble".
Judy Garland portrayed "Ginger Gray". Judy would follow this motion picture with 1944's "Meet Me in St. Louis".
Once more the on-screen music was provided by Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra, seen below with Mickey and Judy.
Some reviewers state this was actress June Allyson's first motion picture, obviously they didn't do their homework. Between 1937 and 1940 she appeared in ten short subjects as a singer. As to full length motion pictures, this was Allyson's third film, and in it, she performed a "Specialty Song Number" with Mickey Rooney, George and Ira Gershwin's "Treat Me Rough"!
As of this writing, the following link will take my reader to the song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZtFrbasUqM
"Danny Churchill. Sr." played by Henry O'Neil is concerned that his young playboy son isn't concentrating on his studies and is "Girl Crazy". He takes him out of Yale and sends him to the "All Male" "Cody College of Mines and Agriculture" in the cactus filled American West.
After the train arrives at the station, "Danny" finds he must walk several miles to this isolated college. As he is walking through the desert a car driven by "Postmistress Ginger Gray" comes along and he gets a ride.
"Danny Churchill. Sr." played by Henry O'Neil is concerned that his young playboy son isn't concentrating on his studies and is "Girl Crazy". He takes him out of Yale and sends him to the "All Male" "Cody College of Mines and Agriculture" in the cactus filled American West.
After the train arrives at the station, "Danny" finds he must walk several miles to this isolated college. As he is walking through the desert a car driven by "Postmistress Ginger Gray" comes along and he gets a ride.
Once at school, "Danny" dislikes the "primitive facilities" and the "joke loving students", but he finally settles in and "Danny" and "Ginger" become a couple.
However, the school is run by "Ginger's" grandfather and is do to close, because of lack of enrollment. "Danny", using his father's name, talks his way into the governor's office and gets a one-month reprise, before the college will be closed down.
"Danny" comes up with a plan to save the school, an Old West Show that will crown the "Queen of the Rodeo".
Above, Henry O'Neill, Mickey Rooney, Judy Garland, and Guy Kibbee as "Dean Phineas Armour", "Ginger's" grandfather.
The Old West Show will be a success and enrollment in the college will starts going up, but on the day of the show, "Danny", thinking for the good of the school, crowns the governor's daughter "Queen" instead of "Ginger".
After which, he has to explain why to her. The film ends in a celebration dance and "Ginger" and "Danny" together.
The Old West Show will be a success and enrollment in the college will starts going up, but on the day of the show, "Danny", thinking for the good of the school, crowns the governor's daughter "Queen" instead of "Ginger".
After which, he has to explain why to her. The film ends in a celebration dance and "Ginger" and "Danny" together.
Below, as of this writing, is a link to Judy Garland singing "Embraceable You" from "Girl Crazy".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5TrNfV5mXE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5TrNfV5mXE
Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland's last motion picture together, was:
WORDS AND MUSIC released on December 31, 1948
However, the fictional Lorenz Hart meets the real Judy Garland to perform the duet of "I Wish I Were in Love Again". Also in the sequence is Tom Drake as Richard Rodgers and Janet Leigh as his wife , "Dorothy Feiner Rodgers". Again as of this writing, the following link takes my reader to the song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tv2HQCkACyA
Above, Tom Drake, Judy Garland, and Janet Leigh in her fourth feature film, and below, Judy and Mickey.
"MGM" was turning out fictional all-star biographical music pictures. Back in 1946 Judy Garland portrayed "Marilyn Miller" in "Till the Clouds Roll By". Robert Walker, Sr. portrayed Jerome Kern in that fictional biography.
Now, in "Words and Music", Judy Garland was only a "Guest Star" as Judy Garland, and sang the Rodgers and Hart songs, "I Wish I Were in Love Again", and "Johnny One Note".
While, within this fictional musical biography of "Rodgers and Hart", Mickey Rooney portrayed Lorenz Hart and Tom Drake portrayed Richard Rodgers with Bill Lee providing Drake's singing voice.
Now, in "Words and Music", Judy Garland was only a "Guest Star" as Judy Garland, and sang the Rodgers and Hart songs, "I Wish I Were in Love Again", and "Johnny One Note".
While, within this fictional musical biography of "Rodgers and Hart", Mickey Rooney portrayed Lorenz Hart and Tom Drake portrayed Richard Rodgers with Bill Lee providing Drake's singing voice.
However, the fictional Lorenz Hart meets the real Judy Garland to perform the duet of "I Wish I Were in Love Again". Also in the sequence is Tom Drake as Richard Rodgers and Janet Leigh as his wife , "Dorothy Feiner Rodgers". Again as of this writing, the following link takes my reader to the song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tv2HQCkACyA
Above, Tom Drake, Judy Garland, and Janet Leigh in her fourth feature film, and below, Judy and Mickey.
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