Search - Johnny Mercer :: The Harvey Girls: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Memories of M-G-M

Pope | 06/14/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This rare soundtrack recording from Rhino Records is an enjoyable archival listen for anyone interested in the American musical film. While not exactly a frontline classic, "The Harvey Girls" is a quintessential example of the MGM musical tradition. Several fine songs were deleted from the film, and these are included here. All of them, especially "March of the Doagies", leaves one wondering why they were dropped. It's true, you have to be a fan of this kind of stuff to get any pleasure out of it, but though from a dated genre, these songs and performances still hold interest. Garland was at her professional, if not personal, prime here, and her renditions of "Atchison Topeka..." and "It's a Great Big World" are superb. The arrangements are all "bells-and-whistles" in the MGM grand tradition (sophistication and understatement were not their forte) but that's what makes this CD a hoot. The sound quality, of course, is necessarily limited by the source material. The primitive recording techniques of 1945 mean that clarity and sonic beauty are compromised in a way modern recording would never allow. Still, the remastering has remedied some of the aging flaws, and this is about as good as "The Harvey Girls" will ever sound to the modern listener. A curio for sure, but just right for a certain audience."

Generally pretty good!

Pope | Wisconsin, United States | 09/25/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Made during the heyday of both MGM and Judy Garland, this is a prime example of Garland at her best. Though the movie is not really very popular today, it is a staple of the Garland library and is really a gem. Same goes for the soundtrack. Highly recommended."

One of Judy's Best!

B. Wells | Louisville, KY | 07/09/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Harvey Girls is one Judy Garland's most underrated motion pictures. This complete selection of the musical numbers is great. After having listened to the deleted numbers, one wonders what the criteria is for whether a number stays or goes. Especially for the number, "In the Valley (where the evenin' sun goes down)" in particular. This score, which is one of my favorites seems to have had a more prominent role in the movie until the editorial process. That however is one of the beauties of these soundtrack releases that has all the numbers. In my opinion this is some of Judy's best work."