As old-fashioned as it is charming, this hymn to the American home, in the vein of Little women but substituting the civil war for the universal exhibition, is one of Minnelli's first musicals. Christmas movie paradigm, exalting the virtues of traditional life and the American family, I guess it was never more necessary than in 1944, and the movie was an immense success. It is a sample of musical numbers and their different integration into the plot: from nice children's dances to amuse the audience, musical evenings at the piano, but also numbers that imply the suspension of belief typical of musicals, as in Trolley song number (and well...bordering on cheesy... or falling into corniness).
The film is structured following the rhythm of the seasons: and adapting the plot and style to each of them. But always with an exuberant Technicolor and luxuriant decors.
In the cast, the girl Margaret O'Brien stands out, almost too cute, and Judy Garland who sings the classic Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas. Judy is fun, impulsive, brave and not as tense as on other occasions. Lucille Bremer as the older sister is suitably bored. The youngsters are frankly forgettable characters: the brother is as healthy and promising as he is supposed to be , and naturally Judy Garland falls for the neighbor, another unremarkable young rugby player from a very good family. The parents are Leon Ames and Mary Astor, they will regain their father and mother roles a couple of years later for Little Women.
There is of course a grandfather and a grumpy cook (the unforgettable Marjorie Main).
A certain nerdiness is unavoidable, but the film is still brilliant and a lot of fun, and contains some great moments, especially those relating to the Fall Halloween scenes, with magnificent use of the most sinister shadows Technicolor can afford.
A very good and entertaining film. Vincente met Judy here.
The film is structured following the rhythm of the seasons: and adapting the plot and style to each of them. But always with an exuberant Technicolor and luxuriant decors.
In the cast, the girl Margaret O'Brien stands out, almost too cute, and Judy Garland who sings the classic Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas. Judy is fun, impulsive, brave and not as tense as on other occasions. Lucille Bremer as the older sister is suitably bored. The youngsters are frankly forgettable characters: the brother is as healthy and promising as he is supposed to be , and naturally Judy Garland falls for the neighbor, another unremarkable young rugby player from a very good family. The parents are Leon Ames and Mary Astor, they will regain their father and mother roles a couple of years later for Little Women.
There is of course a grandfather and a grumpy cook (the unforgettable Marjorie Main).
A certain nerdiness is unavoidable, but the film is still brilliant and a lot of fun, and contains some great moments, especially those relating to the Fall Halloween scenes, with magnificent use of the most sinister shadows Technicolor can afford.
A very good and entertaining film. Vincente met Judy here.