for me and my gal (1942, mgm)
|
Press the button below to download your Viewing Guide and questions that must be completed while viewing the film in class. If you lose your copy, or are not in class the day the film starts, you will want to get a copy to complete and turn in for a grade.
|
film notes
For Me and My Gal was notable as marking the first movie appearance by thirty year old Gene Kelly. He was already the acclaimed star of the stage musical Pal Joey and had just choreographed 'Best Foot Forward' but had yet to appear on the big screen. He was helped to adjust to movie acting from stage acting by nineteen year old Judy Garland who was already an experienced movie performer but who was appearing in her first non-juvenile role and for whom, dramatically, this was an ambitious step up. As with the majority of MGM's top musicals, 'For Me and My Gal' was made by Arthur Freed's production unit. It was Freed who persuaded MGM to cast Kelly in the leading man role, over the objections of studio executives who didn't want to take a chance on an unproven stage actor.
'For Me and My Gal' was an outstanding commercial success and was one of the biggest hits of 1942. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Scoring of a Musical Picture for Roger Edens and Georgie Stoll. It clearly established Gene Kelly as a top Hollywood star and paved the way for more ambitious roles for Judy Garland.
'For Me and My Gal' was an outstanding commercial success and was one of the biggest hits of 1942. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Scoring of a Musical Picture for Roger Edens and Georgie Stoll. It clearly established Gene Kelly as a top Hollywood star and paved the way for more ambitious roles for Judy Garland.