Summer Stock (1950)

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The fact that Summer Stock was Judy Garland's last MGM musical belies the behind the scenes drama, and audiences who know her history might shake their heads a little sadly during the iconic "Get Happy" final number, shot months later so she could lose entirely too much weight to fit into the costume. And it's perhaps not helping keep the movie reality from crossing into our own when Gene Kelly's character proves to be a harsh taskmaster to his co-stars in the show within the show, y'know? But leaving all of the back stage stuff behind, Summer Stock is a very fun movie that no doubt helped cement Garland's status as a gay icon. She's a farmer in overalls and a boyish cut, dating an obvious beard for the previous four years, finding excuses not to seal the deal so she can sing her head off on a tractor. Then the show folk turn up to use her barn as a stage and she gets caught up in it, quite against her will, exposing that side of herself and making kissy face with Kelly. That's if Phil Silvers can keep from destroying the farm with his slapstick. Slave driver or not, Kelly plays a truly nice person - you can tell early on because he clears the dishes without being asked - and who can resist his newspaper dance? It's a highlight in a movie filled with fun numbers - Dig-Dig-Dig, Happy Harvest, You Wonderful You... - and I can ultimately forgive it its final silly romance switcheroo. 3 years 10 months ago