This is a good, but in my view, not great, musical. In it, a group of "Harvey Girls" (of the real and quite famous Harvey House restaurants along the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad lines) get off at the New Mexican town of Sandrock to open a new Harvey House. Among them are mostly young beauties, but also Marjorie Main, who is a hoot in this film, and Selena Royale, a once possible flame of Spencer Tracy's in his theater days. They meet up with Judy Garland, who is on her way to meet and marry a man whose flowery love letters overwhelmed her after answering a "lonely hearts" ad. Of course, the man turns out to be rather unsuitable -- it's cowboy Chill Wills...who turns out perfect for Marjorie Main (of course). But, she falls in hate and love and hate and love (you get the picture) with John Hodiak, the owner of a saloon. Garland becomes a Harvey Girl, and their defacto leader in their fight to maintain the restaurant. Who's the bad guy? Well, primarily a bad girl -- Angela Lansbury, along with the local judge. In the end, Lansbury turns out to be rather sweet, and Garland and Hodiak get married in the flowering desert.
The problem with this film are some of the actors chosen for key roles. I've been impressed with John Hodiak in some films, but here...well, not quite. And, Ray Bolger was disappointing here. Virginia O'Brien, who is usually quite good, disappeared halfway through the film because she became noticeably pregnant.
That's not to say there are not some good performances, as well. Judy Garland is super, as is Angela Lansbury (though her singing is dubbed). Marjorie Main and Chill Wills do nicely, too.
As I indicated, this is a good MGM musical, but not one of its best. Worth a watch, but except for fans of Garland, probably not one to reserve a spot for on your DVD shelf. Although the color is fantastic!
The problem with this film are some of the actors chosen for key roles. I've been impressed with John Hodiak in some films, but here...well, not quite. And, Ray Bolger was disappointing here. Virginia O'Brien, who is usually quite good, disappeared halfway through the film because she became noticeably pregnant.
That's not to say there are not some good performances, as well. Judy Garland is super, as is Angela Lansbury (though her singing is dubbed). Marjorie Main and Chill Wills do nicely, too.
As I indicated, this is a good MGM musical, but not one of its best. Worth a watch, but except for fans of Garland, probably not one to reserve a spot for on your DVD shelf. Although the color is fantastic!