For Me and My Gal is one of those early musicals that collects a bunch of songs not for any particular storytelling reason, but because they were the songs the producer decided to use. In this case, at least, a rationale is offered: We're witnessing a story of love and loss -- lots of loss; everything that can hurt somebody's feelings in this movie ends up happening -- on the World War I vaudeville circuit. George Murphy loves Judy Garland loves Gene Kelly who loves fame so much that he'll betray Garland -- and his country -- to achieve it.
This is Kelly's first film role, and he bursts onto the screen fully formed -- the smile, the charisma, the muscular style of dancing. He's a bit of a cad in this role, but you can't keep Gene Kelly down: His character finds his way to redemption.
Judy Garland is all glistening-eyed melodrama in this one -- her heart gets broken in a half a dozen different ways. And she oozes talent in this role, belting out her songs and dancing up a storm.
George Murphy is the actor whose star has dimmed a bit over time. He went on to be the US Senator from California -- he was elected even before Ronald Reagan -- and you can see why from this film: He doesn't have the talent of Kelly or Garland, but he does have an All-American gee-whiz earnestness that lets him function as the moral center of the picture.
The film was directed by Busby Berkeley, one of the most famous directors of early American musicals, so if you're looking for a first-rate example of the form, this is it.
Notable songs: 'For Me and My Gal,' 'Oh You, Beautiful Doll.'
Best dance: 'Ballin' the Jack.'
Best line of old-timey dialogue: Garland to Kelly: "You'll never be big time because you're small time in your heart."
See it? Yes.
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