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The Harvey Girls

Play trailer Poster for The Harvey Girls 1946 1h 41m Musical Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 10 Reviews 82% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
When Susan Bradley (Judy Garland) responded to an ad in New Mexico for a mail-order bride, she had no idea that her would-be husband was a broken-down cowhand. Instead of returning back home, she takes a job at the local Harvey House restaurant. But the new establishment faces tough resistance from the local saloon owner (John Hodiak) and the town's streetwise showgirl, Em (Angela Lansbury). As Susan works with the Harvey girls to win over the townsfolk, she also searches for a new love.
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The Harvey Girls

Critics Reviews

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Matt Brunson Film Frenzy 01/21/2021
3/4
An ebullient musical with a unique premise. Go to Full Review
Mattie Lucas From the Front Row 01/08/2021
3/4
Garland shines as always, but it's Lansbury who steals the show, bringing emotional shading to a character that could have easily been one dimensional. Go to Full Review
Josh Larsen LarsenOnFilm 08/30/2019
2/4
A Western fantasia... Go to Full Review
Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews 07/19/2017
B
A lively MGM Western musical. Go to Full Review
Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com 04/22/2012
B
George Sidney's musical western is a joyous, fictionalized tribute to the New England femmes who went out West to bring culture and food; best song is On the Atchison, Topeka, Santa Fe, which won an Oscar. Go to Full Review
Nathaniel Rogers The Film Experience 08/12/2011
B-
Though this creaky musical hasn't aged well, its peak moments are delightful: Dorothy and her Scarecrow reunited, "On the Atchison Topeka and the Santa Fe" and Garland's gift for physical comedy. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Tim M 09/20/2024 Featuring another iconic performance from Judy Garland, The Harvey Girls gets the best out of both the Western and musical genres. See more Jarrod R 04/05/2024 I have been screening dozens of movies from the Golden age of cinema, and most times I go into them almost completely cold without any expectations. other than knowing it, starred, Judy Garland and her Wizard of Oz, costar Ray Bolger, I didn't really know much else about it, other than a passing knowledge of Harvey Houses, thanks to my strong interest history. This musical could easily be placed in my top 10 in that category, and one of the most entertaining movies I've seen from the golden age. Harvey Girls has an embarrassment of riches with respect to the cast. Some favorite moments? When Judy Garland, with a determined gait and two six shooters, goes across to the saloon to take back a storehouse of stolen beefsteaks. Some incredible physical comedy. Unflinching. And then there is the beloved Ray Bolger, with a dance number that is hypnotic and delightful. From top to bottom everyone in this cast is giving their all. See more Alec B 01/09/2024 One of the few musicals from this era that was written for the screen that stays consistently within the genre, never going too long without a song. "On the Atchison Topeka and the Santa Fe" is a truly great number. See more Cole T 04/19/2023 An instant classic! Fun musical numbers, drama, and hardly a dull moment. This is perhaps one of Judy Garland's best performances, as well as Angela Lansbury's. Just generally an amazing movie in every way. Acting is phenomenal, music and dance numbers great, and the plot and storyline are great as well. One of my favorite older movies of all time! 100% recommend! See more CodyZamboni Z 01/24/2023 Fun MGM musical, with one great song. Stunning color cinematography, Charming story, Empathetic characters, See more 07/26/2022 Ok so the plot, not the most complex. And the music is great but it's really that one song that really is thrilling. Mostly it's about two performers still early in their careers showing their muscles as movie stars and, yes, actors. Landsbury is just fantastic chewing the scenery in this plum role. It is the granddaughter of her first role as the cheeky maid in Gaslight lol. Total camp. Total commitment. The bad girl with a heart of gold at its peak. More subtle but no less artful, Garland in a more grownup role is beautiful, delicate, and yet makes what could be a cardboard character one of depth and humor. And then there is THAT song. It will never leave your brain. See more Read all reviews
The Harvey Girls

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Movie Info

Synopsis When Susan Bradley (Judy Garland) responded to an ad in New Mexico for a mail-order bride, she had no idea that her would-be husband was a broken-down cowhand. Instead of returning back home, she takes a job at the local Harvey House restaurant. But the new establishment faces tough resistance from the local saloon owner (John Hodiak) and the town's streetwise showgirl, Em (Angela Lansbury). As Susan works with the Harvey girls to win over the townsfolk, she also searches for a new love.
Director
George Sidney
Producer
Arthur Freed
Screenwriter
Samuel Hopkins Adams, Edmund Beloin, Harry Crane, Nathaniel Curtis, Eleanore Griffin, James O'Hanlon, William Rankin, Samson Raphaelson, Kay Van Riper
Distributor
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Distributing Corp.
Production Co
Metro Goldwyn Mayer
Genre
Musical, Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jan 18, 1946, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 1, 2009
Runtime
1h 41m
Sound Mix
Mono
Aspect Ratio
35mm
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