I could never rate this show as "awful." It's got all the typical 1930's elements, and almost all the Busby Berkley elements except the Thousand Tapdancing Toffs. What it doesn't have is the stunning music and the much more human story-line of the Broadway version. What happened to "My Funny Valentine" and "Where or When"? Why did MGM throw out both the score and the book to make the prototype, "Hey kids! Let's put on a show" show? Nobody knows.
In this movie, the normally high-energy Mickey Rooney acts like he's on amphetamines, and his near-manic performance is both wearing and wearying. Garland is ... well, Judy Garland, bless her. She's an anchor in Rooney's tempest. It's worth an hour or so of your time on a rainy day, but it's not a true Classic, in my estimation. I was disappointed.
In this movie, the normally high-energy Mickey Rooney acts like he's on amphetamines, and his near-manic performance is both wearing and wearying. Garland is ... well, Judy Garland, bless her. She's an anchor in Rooney's tempest. It's worth an hour or so of your time on a rainy day, but it's not a true Classic, in my estimation. I was disappointed.