For Me and My Gal

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Movie
Original title For Me and My Gal
Country of production United States
original language English
Publishing year 1942
length 104 minutes
Rod
Director Busby Berkeley
script Howard Emmett Rogers
Fred F. Finklehoffe
Sid Silvers
production Arthur Freed
music Roger Edens
camera William H. Daniels
cut Ben Lewis
occupation

For Me and My Gal is a 1942 American film musical by Busby Berkeley starring Judy Garland , George Murphy and Gene Kelly , which made its film debut with the film. The film is based on a story by Howard Emmett Rogers, who tells the true story of Harry Palmer and Jo Hayden, two vaudeville actors, before and during the First World War .

action

During the heyday of vaudeville and before the start of World War I , Jo Hayden and Harry Palmer met. Initially averse to Harry, Jo decides to join him in order to realize their dream of a performance at the Palace Theater on Broadway and then to get married.

Before they can realize their dreams, Harry is drafted into the military. To avoid compulsory military service, he deliberately breaks his hand. On the same day, Jo is informed of the death of her brother, who had also previously been drafted into the military. When she learns what Harry has done, she leaves him and the duo Palmer & Hayden . Humiliated and remorseful, Harry tries to volunteer with various troops, but is repeatedly rejected due to his permanent injury. Only the possibility of maintaining troops for the YMCA remains for him.

While he and his partner try unsuccessfully to stop an ambulance Convoy in a warehouse, dangerously close to the front, Harry makes his own way to warn him. He is wounded while protecting the convoy from ambush attacks. He is recognized for his courage.

After the war, Jo performs at a victory party at the Palace Theater and spots Harry in the audience. Packed by her emotions, she runs to him. Finally, they sing For Me and My Gal on stage.

background

For Me and My Gal was the first adult role for Judy Garland, which until then could only be seen in the role of teenagers, mostly alongside Mickey Rooney . Originally, Harry Palmer was supposed to be involved with two women: a singer and a dancer. However, Stella Adler suggested Arthur Freed combine the roles and give Garland the role. Adler also suggested Gene Kelly, who was 29 at the time and previously starred in Pal Joey on Broadway. Kelly's intention was to return to Broadway after the contract expired.

Judy Garland and Gene Kelly hit it off right away. She helped him adapt his stage acting for the camera and assisted him with disagreements with the director Busby Berkeley, whom she disliked. Kelly and Garland appeared together in two other films: The Pirate ( 1948 ) and Summer Stock ( 1950 ).

The film was estimated to cost an estimated $ 803,000 and was shot at MGM Studios in Culver City from April 3 to May 23, 1942. Additional scenes were shot in June.

At the first preview, the audience didn't like the ending as it was hoped that Jo (Garland) and Jimmy (Murphy) would reunite instead of Harry (Kelly). So Louis B. Mayer set three more weeks of shooting to adapt Harry's character to audience expectations and to reduce Murphy's presence.

Publication and reception

'For Me and My Gal' premiered in New York on October 21, 1942. On November 26, 1942, it started in Los Angeles. The film grossed $ 4,371,000, making it a huge hit that year.

The film received an Oscar nomination for “ Best Film Music ” for Roger Edens and Georgie Stoll. In addition, Gene Kelly received a National Board of Review Award for "Best Actor".

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