Review of For Me and My Gal (1942) by Jess L — 04 May 2009

It was in this film the world first laid eyes on Gene Kelly - and what an introduction it was! Yes, it is a blatant pro war/USA propaganda film - 'what are you doing for the boys?' - the shame bestowed upon Kelly's Harry after intentionally injuring himself to avoid being drafted - the heroic reconciliation after he returns home with a medal - there's no denying the underlying tones here.

From the point of view of someone so far removed from WW2, the war and what it involved for Americans is romanticised to the extreme here - but it's still a solid film, with wonderful turns from Kelly and Garland and the happy, romantic ending that makes the rocky trip worthwhile.

The title song 'For me and my gal' sang as the pair unite for the first time and reunite in the closing scene, acts as the perfect bookend to a beautiful (and patriotic) story.