Rating: 
Summary: ANOTHER GREAT LOOKING TRANSFER OF A VINTAGE GARLAND FILM!
Review: "For Me And My Gal" is one of those almost forgotten favorites of the silver screen that once seen, you'll wonder why it took you so long to rediscover. Fresh from his Broadway success in Pal Joey, Gene Kelly makes his film debut opposite already veteran film star Judy Garland. The results are magical. A potpourri of standards belted out by Garland and company round out the multiple reasons why this musical is one of a handful of truly outstanding performances by both of these legendary entertainers. George Murphy is also in it as a possible, though not probably rival for Ms. Garland's affections. The plot: predictable - boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy tap dances, girl sings - all better. The war intervenes in the romance but hey, its vintage Hollywood - you know the ending already.
TRANSFER: Nothing new from Warner Brothers here. Their usual meticulous attention to remastering classic movies is evident in a solid print with rich, deep blacks, fine details realized throughout and some nice clean up work which has minimized a good many of the film's age related artifacts. The audio is MONO but nicely restored and cleaned up.
EXTRAS: Deleted musical numbers, a few vintage short subjects, the film's theatrical trailer, intro by Garland biographer, Jonathan Fricke and an audio commentary.
BOTTOM LINE: The bells continue to ring fcr this feel good masterpiece of song and dance. A must have!
Rating:
Summary: Garland, Murphy and Kelly join in the War effort
Review: "For Me and My Gal" was a collaboration between fabled director-choreographer Busby Berkeley and Arthur Freed, producer of many classic MGM musicals (e.g., "Singin' in the Rain"). This 1942 film also has the distinction of being the first to feature the top tapping talents of Gene Kelly, who plays Harry Palmer. To avoid being drafted during World War I, Palmer deliberately slams a trunk down on his hand. He then teams with Jo Hayden, played by Judy Garland, as a vaudeville act and eventually finds redemption, teaching one and all that duty to country is more important than the life or dreams of any one individual. George Murphy (Jimmy Metcalf) provides the other song and dance man in the show.Even though it was set during World War I, "For Me and My Gal" had an impact on American audiences during the first year of World War II (compare with "Yankee Doodle Dandy" and "This is the Army"). There are several scenes showing the impact on the war on show business and how entertainers rose to the occasion, entertaining the troops and such. Those expecting traditional Busby Berkely production numbers with dozens of chorines will be disappointed, but besides the title song we get to hear "Oh, You Beautiful Doll," "After You're Gone" and "Hincky Dinky Parly Vous." This is not a classic musical, just a very good one. Final Note: This was also the first American film for Marta Eggerth (Eve Minard), the star of German and Austrian musicals and operettas (think the Continental version of Jeanette McDonald), who had fled Nazi anti-Semitism.
Rating: 
Summary: A Musical Masterpiece
Review: "For Me And My Gal" was one of the first musicals I saw, and one of the first I bought on video. Judy Garland is great in her first "adult" role. This is also the splashy debut of Gene Kelly to movie audiences. Movie hoofer and later politican George Murphy rounds out the love triangle. It's interesting to note the difference in the stars ages though. Garlandwas 20 when the movie was made. Kelly was 30. And Murphy was 40. Most movies of the 1940s, let alone World War II movies, dealt with serious issues, but this musical is full of them. Some of the issues include draft dodging and the horrors of war among others. The music portion of the movie is the highpoint. My personal favorite is Garland's teary rendition of "After You've Gone". Reportedly, she filmed it the day after her divorce from bandleader David Rose. Another memorable scene is the famous Garland-Kelly duet of the title track. The musical numbers are countless and timeless and add to the movie's greatness. If you are looking for a great musical, with dramatic moments, and a tearjerking ending, then "For Me And My Gal" is for you...
Rating:
Summary: BLACK & WHITE....not color!
Review: "For Me and My Gal" was released when Judy Garland was about to reach the pinnacle of her Hollywood career as an adult film actress/singer. Co-starring Gene Kelly, in his first film, it's a slightly more sophisticated -- and much more engaging -- version of the old Mickey-and-Judy behind the scenes musicals of the late 30s and 40s. The production values are exceptional, and were it not for the exceptional transfer to DVD (which is in beautiful black and white), you almost wish the film were in color. But the b-and-w cinematography is a good reminder of where the term "silver screen" came from, and it gives the film an interesting "vintage" feel that is somewhat different than the "glorious" technicolor musicals, like "Meet Me in St. Louis," that would ensure Judy Garland's status as an enduring musical legend. The commentary by John Fricke is fascinating (where does he find out all this stuff!?). The singing and dancing, and -- come to think of it -- the acting by Garland, Kelly as well as by future United States Senator George Murphy is exceptional. Interestingly, the best scene in film (in my humble opinion), the "For Me and My Gal" dance sequence with Garland and Kelly, seems to have been filmed in a complete, unedited single take. Very rare for an MGM musical number, and very impressive as well. With the DVD release of "For Me and My Gal" and "Meet Me in St. Louis," and with the earlier-released DVD versions of "The Wizard of Oz" and "The Harvey Girls," the only films missing from Garland's MGM "canon" seem to be "Easter Parade" and (perhaps) "The Pirate." I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Warner will release both on DVD sometime soon. (By the way, the DVD includes two very early MGM "shorts": "Every Sunday" and "The Fiesta of Santa Barbara." The former features Judy and Deanna Durbin, and although very dated, it's fascinating to see what a phenomenal talent Judy was even very early in her career. The latter features the Gumm Sisters, including Frances. Although also very, very dated, it's fun to watch.)
Rating:
Summary: Perfect. Charming. Perfectly Charming.
Review: "For Me and My Gal" was released when Judy Garland was about to reach the pinnacle of her Hollywood career as an adult film actress/singer. Co-starring Gene Kelly, in his first film, it's a slightly more sophisticated -- and much more engaging -- version of the old Mickey-and-Judy behind the scenes musicals of the late 30s and 40s. The production values are exceptional, and were it not for the exceptional transfer to DVD (which is in beautiful black and white), you almost wish the film were in color. But the b-and-w photography is a good reminder of where the term "silver screen" came from, and it gives the film an interesting "vintage" feel that is somewhat different than the "glorious" technicolor musicals, like "Meet Me in St. Louis," that would ensure Judy Garland's status as an enduring musical legend. The commentary by John Fricke is fascinating (where does he find out all this stuff!?). The singing and dancing, and -- come to think of it -- the acting by Garland, Kelly as well as by future United States Senator George Murphy is exceptional. Interestingly, the best scene in film (in my humble opinion), the "For Me and My Gal" dance sequence with Garland and Kelly, seems to have been filmed in a complete, unedited single take. Very rare for an MGM musical number, and very impressive as well. With the DVD release of "For Me and My Gal" and "Meet Me in St. Louis," and with the earlier-released DVD versions of "The Wizard of Oz" and "The Harvey Girls," the only films missing from Garland's MGM "canon" seem to be "Easter Parade" and (perhaps) "The Pirate." I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Warner will release both on DVD sometime soon. (By the way, the DVD includes two very early MGM "shorts": "Every Sunday" and "The Fiesta of Santa Barbara." The former features Judy and Deanna Durbin, and although very dated, it's fascinating to see what a phenomenal talent Judy was even very early in her career. The latter features the Gumm Sisters, including Frances. Although also very, very dated, it's fun to watch.)
Rating:
Summary: Garland, Murphy and Kelly join in the War effort
Review: "For Me and My Gal" was a collaboration between fabled director-choreographer Busby Berkeley and Arthur Freed, producer of many classic MGM musicals (e.g., "Singin' in the Rain"). This 1942 film also has the distinction of being the first to feature the top tapping talents of Gene Kelly, who plays Harry Palmer. To avoid being drafted during World War I, Palmer deliberately slams a trunk down on his hand. He then teams with Jo Hayden, played by Judy Garland, as a vaudeville act and eventually finds redemption, teaching one and all that duty to country is more important than the life or dreams of any one individual. George Murphy (Jimmy Metcalf) provides the other song and dance man in the show. Even though it was set during World War I, "For Me and My Gal" had an impact on American audiences during the first year of World War II (compare with "Yankee Doodle Dandy" and "This is the Army"). There are several scenes showing the impact on the war on show business and how entertainers rose to the occasion, entertaining the troops and such. Those expecting traditional Busby Berkely production numbers with dozens of chorines will be disappointed, but besides the title song we get to hear "Oh, You Beautiful Doll," "After You're Gone" and "Hincky Dinky Parly Vous." This is not a classic musical, just a very good one. Final Note: This was also the first American film for Marta Eggerth (Eve Minard), the star of German and Austrian musicals and operettas (think the Continental version of Jeanette McDonald), who had fled Nazi anti-Semitism.
Rating:
Summary: A Musical Masterpiece
Review: "For Me And My Gal" was one of the first musicals I saw, and one of the first I bought on video. Judy Garland is great in her first "adult" role. This is also the splashy debut of Gene Kelly to movie audiences. Movie hoofer and later politican George Murphy rounds out the love triangle. It's interesting to note the difference in the stars ages though. Garlandwas 20 when the movie was made. Kelly was 30. And Murphy was 40. Most movies of the 1940s, let alone World War II movies, dealt with serious issues, but this musical is full of them. Some of the issues include draft dodging and the horrors of war among others. The music portion of the movie is the highpoint. My personal favorite is Garland's teary rendition of "After You've Gone". Reportedly, she filmed it the day after her divorce from bandleader David Rose. Another memorable scene is the famous Garland-Kelly duet of the title track. The musical numbers are countless and timeless and add to the movie's greatness. If you are looking for a great musical, with dramatic moments, and a tearjerking ending, then "For Me And My Gal" is for you...
Rating:
Summary: Perfect. Charming. Perfectly Charming.
Review: "For Me and My Gal" was released when Judy Garland was about to reach the pinnacle of her Hollywood career as an adult film actress/singer. Co-starring Gene Kelly, in his first film, it's a slightly more sophisticated -- and much more engaging -- version of the old Mickey-and-Judy behind the scenes musicals of the late 30s and 40s. The production values are exceptional, and were it not for the exceptional transfer to DVD (which is in beautiful black and white), you almost wish the film were in color. But the b-and-w photography is a good reminder of where the term "silver screen" came from, and it gives the film an interesting "vintage" feel that is somewhat different than the "glorious" technicolor musicals, like "Meet Me in St. Louis," that would ensure Judy Garland's status as an enduring musical legend. The commentary by John Fricke is fascinating (where does he find out all this stuff!?). The singing and dancing, and -- come to think of it -- the acting by Garland, Kelly as well as by future United States Senator George Murphy is exceptional. Interestingly, the best scene in film (in my humble opinion), the "For Me and My Gal" dance sequence with Garland and Kelly, seems to have been filmed in a complete, unedited single take. Very rare for an MGM musical number, and very impressive as well. With the DVD release of "For Me and My Gal" and "Meet Me in St. Louis," and with the earlier-released DVD versions of "The Wizard of Oz" and "The Harvey Girls," the only films missing from Garland's MGM "canon" seem to be "Easter Parade" and (perhaps) "The Pirate." I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Warner will release both on DVD sometime soon. (By the way, the DVD includes two very early MGM "shorts": "Every Sunday" and "The Fiesta of Santa Barbara." The former features Judy and Deanna Durbin, and although very dated, it's fascinating to see what a phenomenal talent Judy was even very early in her career. The latter features the Gumm Sisters, including Frances. Although also very, very dated, it's fun to watch.)
Rating:
Summary: Garland and Kelly are magic!
Review: Being an avid fan of musicals, I have seen both Judy Garland and Gene Kelly in various movies-- but until I saw this movie, I had never seen them in a picture together. One word: wow. They are both wonderful in themselves, but they have a dynamic chemistry together which lights and the screen and snatches the viewer into thier romance.
I thought the plot, albeit used, was charming and moving. I loved how it was a more dramatic than comedic-- something hard to find in musicals. It was good to see some character development happening; I find in musicals the plot and characters play second fiddle to the music, but in " For Me and My Gal" emphasis was placed on both.
This is a marvelous movie and I would recommend it to everybody.
Rating:
Summary: A rare gem, featuring two of the finest actors of the 1900's
Review: For anyone who likes a good musical, this movie is a must see! In addition, if you, like me, are a big fan of the light-on-his-feet, gregarious Gene Kelly, and the bubbly, ever-energetic Judy Garland, this film turns out to be much more than that... It is a rare gem, featuring outstanding chemistry between two of the most engaging of MGM's "golden-age" screen personalities. The dance numbers between the two are fantastic, pure vintage Hollywood, and the chemistry between the two characters (both down-and-out vaudeville actors) as their relationship warms from hate, to like, to attraction, to love, is superb. I can only say that it is a pity that these two fine actors didn't make any more pictures together.
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