The Harvey Girls is a reminder that you don't always -- or ever -- watch musicals for the story. Because this movie has one of the shittiest love stories ever. Judy Garland plays a young woman who heads west, under what turn out to be false pretenses, to get married, only to have her plans fall apart when she arrives in Sandrock, Arizona. She goes to work for the local Harvey House. John Hodiak plays the pencil-mustached pimp with a heart of gold -- he runs the brothel across the street from the Harvey House, but the love of a good woman helps him see the error of his ways.
Yeah, they get together at the end. No, Hodiak's redemption story doesn't earn him Garland's love. But having created these characters, in this era -- 1946 -- of movie musical, it has no choice but to end up with them together anyway.
Ugh.
But like I say, we don't watch musicals for the stories. We watch them for the music! And the dancing. So let's talk about Ray Mothereffing Bolger.
Like me, your main exposure to Bolger may be from him playing the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz. In HG, Bolger's character has a lesser role -- but it's made of pure entertainment. It's no surprise to see the same guy who played the Scarecrow offer up the same style of loose-limbed dancing.
It's just a goddamned delight.
That's great. But he's also capable of great grace. (Start about four minutes in.)
The man is a wonder to behold.
Notable songs: "The Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe."
Best dance: See Bolger, above.
Best early youthful performance by Hall of Fame-level star: Cyd Charisse.
See it? Nah. Check out the YouTube clips of the highlights. You'll be happier.
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