Select language, opens an overlay

Comment

Apr 24, 2016ThomasJWhiting rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
WOW!!! OUTSTANDING!!! New top of the list for me as I explore classic film musicals from before I was born. I had never even previously heard of 'The Harvey Girls' (or Fred Harvey and his restaurants, for that matter) and only discovered it because I am researching/viewing so much Judy Garland material. The Harvey Girls is a fabulous technicolor 1945 film set in the west (Arizona) before the railroad expansion went as far as California. The trailer (included on the DVD) touts the film as 'Gay and Lusty Musical Romance' and also 'Girls and Gals Who Battle For their Men'. There is a big saloon fight between the two groups of ladies (the saloon gals and the Harvey restaurant girls). Never seen something like that before. Every aspect of the production is superb - staging, dancing, costumes, etc. Judy Garland is terrific in her early 20's, with excellent acting, singing, dancing. Angela Lansbury is a beautiful blonde saloon gal. I particularly enjoyed seeing Virginia O'Brien in that fabulous dress with HUGE shoulder pads while she listens to the piano player and then does a great twirl dance. And Ray Bolger is amusing doing his comic schtick/dancing. Marjorie Mains was fun, too. Film is so good I might have to buy my own copy to share with my friends!