Review of Summer Stock (1950) by Ben L — 13 Aug 2014

This is a film about a woman who is struggling to run her family's farm on her own, when out of nowhere her little sister shows up with the entire cast of a stage play who have plans to use the barn for rehearsals and test performances. Naturally this collision of 2 different worlds leads to a lot of arguing, and also a lot of romance. I love musicals like this even though the plots are somewhat predictable, and this one has enough twists and turns that it doesn't follow all the conventions of the genre. It might not shock you, but it is good at keeping you involved because you aren't 100% sure how it will end. With star talent like Judy Garland and Gene Kelly you just know you're in for top notch song and dance numbers. Judy Garland has that big impressive voice that is so amazing, and then Gene Kelly starts dancing and I sit there in awe. The most notable numbers are Judy Garland performing "Get Happy" for the first time, and a dance number by Gene Kelly with a newspaper and a squeaky floorboard that you won't soon forget. Two of the greats at the top of their game.

The story takes awhile to get going. There is some attempts at humor early in the film, but they seem to fall flat. Even Phil Silvers hamming it up fails to elicit a laugh from me. But once the movie hits its stride and gets me emotionally invested suddenly everything starts picking up. Somewhere around the midway point it went from humorless to being laugh-out-loud funny. So you have to have patience with this film, but it will reward you in the end. The other issue I found with the movie is the fact that the film suddenly sped up and slowed down at strange moments. I'm not sure what the technical term for this situation is, but something odd went on in the editing room (or perhaps the restoration room) so that a scene is taking place at normal speed, and then a pig runs by at double speed. It was extremely awkward, but not enough to be a detriment to my enjoyment of Summer Stock. I think most people know already if this is the type of film they will like. If you've enjoyed other Gene Kelly films, this is one I would recommend, but if all that singing and dancing isn't for you then let give this one a pass.