Our reviewers reviews of this film are all over the map, perhaps signifying that there are some good things about this film, as well as some major mistakes (at least in my view), a position supported by the film's tremendous flop at the box office.
For me, the biggest problem here is that this musical is a musical, with pretty bland music at that. If this had been done as a drama with some humor, it might have turned out very nicely.
The look of the film is quite lush with wonderful Technicolor, and most of the outdoor scenes were actually filmed outdoors, rather than on a set! It's very easy to criticize a 28 year old Mickey Rooney playing a graduating high school senior, but that was the problem with Rooney's ebbing career -- fine and ebullient actor who could ham it up when required (and it is required here), but only 5'2" tall. And if every film that has an actor or actress playing a role meant for a younger or older actor had never been made, half the films in Hollywood would have never been made. Other than knowing that he's too old for the part, his performance is fine for the age portrayed.
Gloria DeHaven was pretty; period. But then, also in the supporting cast are two of the finest character actors in the history of American cinema -- Walter Huston as the truly loving father, and Frank Morgan as the light alcoholic uncle; the film is worth watching for their performances. Marilyn Maxwell has a nice turn as a sleazy vaudeville performer. Agnes Moorehead has an unusually docile part (for her) as the love interest for Frank Morgan. Selena Royle, as the mother, is okay; more interesting to note that she was a long-time "special friend" to Spencer Tracy in his early years in show business.
Plot-wise, the films plods along through a series of vignettes, and then suddenly it was over...and I was left feeling like what was the point? The film had lots of potential, but wasted most of it. A rare disappointing MGM musical.
For me, the biggest problem here is that this musical is a musical, with pretty bland music at that. If this had been done as a drama with some humor, it might have turned out very nicely.
The look of the film is quite lush with wonderful Technicolor, and most of the outdoor scenes were actually filmed outdoors, rather than on a set! It's very easy to criticize a 28 year old Mickey Rooney playing a graduating high school senior, but that was the problem with Rooney's ebbing career -- fine and ebullient actor who could ham it up when required (and it is required here), but only 5'2" tall. And if every film that has an actor or actress playing a role meant for a younger or older actor had never been made, half the films in Hollywood would have never been made. Other than knowing that he's too old for the part, his performance is fine for the age portrayed.
Gloria DeHaven was pretty; period. But then, also in the supporting cast are two of the finest character actors in the history of American cinema -- Walter Huston as the truly loving father, and Frank Morgan as the light alcoholic uncle; the film is worth watching for their performances. Marilyn Maxwell has a nice turn as a sleazy vaudeville performer. Agnes Moorehead has an unusually docile part (for her) as the love interest for Frank Morgan. Selena Royle, as the mother, is okay; more interesting to note that she was a long-time "special friend" to Spencer Tracy in his early years in show business.
Plot-wise, the films plods along through a series of vignettes, and then suddenly it was over...and I was left feeling like what was the point? The film had lots of potential, but wasted most of it. A rare disappointing MGM musical.