Summer Stock (1950)

Summer Stock was released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 1950, starring Judy Garland and Gene Kelly. Garland stars as

Jane Falbury, a farm owner whose actress sister, Abigail arrives with her theater troupe. They need a practice stage; Jane and her housekeeper, Esme agree to let them use the barn. The group including director, Joe Ross, repay her hospitality by helping out on the farm. Although Joe and Abigail are engaged, he begins to fall for Jane when Abigail leaves him after a fight. Jane is also engaged, but falls in love with Joe. Abigail returns before the group's first performance and demands Jane give up the role of leading lady. She refuses to give up the role. The film ends with Abigail deciding not to intefere in Jane's budding romance with Joe. He proposes to Jane before the show begins. She accepts and they take to the stage, ready to perform. Although Garland had her share of success with Summer Stock, trouble loomed behind the scenes. She was dealing with pressure in her personal life and begin to heavily rely on prescription meds. She also put on weight. Her weight fluctuation is clearly visible in the film's last musical performance "Get Happy". She is slimmer and looks fabulous in a pair of black nylons with a matching fedora and tuxedo jacket--knocking the song out of the ballpark! Before filming the number, Garland had taken a couple months off and had lost 20 lbs. After production had wrapped, she took a well-deserved vacation. It wasn't long after the studio came knocking and she was called back to the studio to start filming Royal Wedding with Fred Astaire after June Allison had bailed out. Again, she struggled to put on a happy face even though she was suffering from overworking and exhaustion. She was fired from the film and later reached a mutual agreement with MGM to terminate her contract. Summer Stock's cast also includes the delightful Marjorie Main, Phil Silvers, Eddie Bracken and Gloria DeHaven. You'll laugh, you'll dance, you'll wanna "get happy"!



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--Screen Siren 23