IMDb RATING
7.0/10
4.9K
YOUR RATING
On a train trip West to become a mail-order bride, Susan Bradley (Judy Garland) meets a cheery crew of young women travelling out to open a "Harvey House" restaurant at a remote whistle-stop... Read allOn a train trip West to become a mail-order bride, Susan Bradley (Judy Garland) meets a cheery crew of young women travelling out to open a "Harvey House" restaurant at a remote whistle-stop.On a train trip West to become a mail-order bride, Susan Bradley (Judy Garland) meets a cheery crew of young women travelling out to open a "Harvey House" restaurant at a remote whistle-stop.
- Won 1 Oscar
- 1 win & 1 nomination total
William 'Bill' Phillips
- 1st Cowboy
- (as Wm. 'Bill' Phillips)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaIn the big production number "On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe," from Judy Garland's entrance until the conductor's "All aboard!" was done in one take. Legend has it that they shot it twice and Garland was dead-on move for move both times.
- GoofsIn the "Wild, Wild West" song, Alma is pounding a red-hot horseshoe. She then picks it up, caresses it, and throws it in the water barrel where it gives off steam. The horseshoe would have burned her hand if it were really hot. This is a sight gag in the film.
- ConnectionsFeatured in MGM Parade: Episode #1.25 (1955)
- SoundtracksIn the Valley (Where the Evenin' Sun Goes Down)
(uncredited)
Music by Harry Warren
Lyrics by Johnny Mercer
Performed by Judy Garland
Featured review
A fully-balanced musical film with something for everyone.
Even though the film starred Judy Garland, what I really enjoyed about The Harvey Girls is that it operates as an ensemble musical, giving features and spotlight numbers to just about everyone in the mammoth cast. This kind of thing is usually reserved for stage musicals only, but back in 1946 MGM's roster of talent was strong, if not yet infamous. Players like deadpan comic Virginia O'Brien and dancer Cyd Charisse were fairly new back then, but this film gives them individual spotlights: not only do they both sing with Garland in the nighttime ballad "It's A Great Big World," but O'Brien gets to sing "The Wild, Wild West" (while assisting blacksmith Ray Bolger in shoeing a horse) and Charisse gets to dance (briefly) opposite Kenny Baker singing "Wait And See." Marjorie Main leads the Harvey waitresses through "The Train Must Be Fed;" Angela Lansbury is featured in two saloon numbers, and Ray Bolger gets to do some of his rubber-legged clowning at the Harvey House party. And, of course, everyone on the planet is assembled for the big, eight minute production number "On The Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe." There's literally something for everyone- even the oil-and-water romance between Garland and John Hodiak. And they shine as well, even if Hodiak wasn't the most well-known leading man. Check out this wonderfully scored, written, acted, and costumed tribute to old-fashioned Americana.
helpful•131
- movibuf1962
- Aug 27, 2006
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $2,524,315 (estimated)
- Gross worldwide
- $1,417
- Runtime1 hour 42 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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