Main Cast: Judy Garland, Van Heflin, Fay Bainter, Marta Eggerth, Spring Byington, Richard Carlson
Release Year: 1943
Country: US
Run Time: 105 minutes
Plot
A Booth Tarkington novel was the source for the so-so Judy Garland musical Presenting Lily Mars. Garland plays the title character, a small-town girl with big-city ambitions. She heads to Broadway hoping for stardom, but after a series of disappointments the best she can manage is an understudy job. That's right, folks: the star walks out on opening night, Lily goes on in her place, and the audience boos and throws rotten tomatoes (just kidding: Lily's a sensation, of course). Van Heflin costars as a young producer who falls in love with Lily, but who avoids bestowing upon her instant stardom for fear of being accused of favoritism. Naturally, Judy Garland gets to sing a lot, and whenever she does the picture soars; other musical acts include the orchestras of Bob Crosby and Tommy Dorsey. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Review
Presenting Lily Mars is an example of the kind of standard-issue musical in which studios often stuck their brightest talents. Even in 1943, this kind of "understudy gets break at stardom" tale was becoming old hat, although at least this one acknowledges that talent and ambition must be fortified with experience to make a true star. There's little in the dialogue to make up for the deficiencies in the plot, which places a heavy burden on the score and the actors. The songs are fine, but culled from hither and yon rather than created by one team; the result is that they don't give the film a distinctive character. Fortunately, Judy Garland is on hand to provide the jolt of star power that this kind of enterprise needs. If Garland doesn't wholeheartedly believe in the words she has to say, she never lets on; she gives full attention and commitment to every line. In song, she's superb, whether clowning with Bob Crosby's orchestra in "When I Look at You" or leading a rousing "Broadway Rhythm" finale. And her charming duet with Connie Gilchrist on "Every Little Movement" is a real treat. Van Heflin brings a welcome intensity to his role, and Spring Byington is warm and appealing as Garland's mother. Garland's next starring film would be much more rewarding, the classic Meet Me in St. Louis. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
Connie Gilchrist - Frankie; Leonid Kinskey - Leo; Patricia Barker - Poppy; Janet Chapman - Rosie; Annabelle Logan - Violet; Douglas Croft - Davey; Ray McDonald - Charlie Potter; Bob Crosby & Orchestra; Bob Crosby - Himself; Marilyn Maxwell - Chorus Girl; Tommy Dorsey & His Band
Credit
Cedric Gibbons - Art Director, Harry McAfee - Art Director, Ernst Matray - Choreography, Howard Shoup - Costume Designer, Norman Taurog - Director, Albert Akst - Editor, George Stoll - Musical Direction/Supervision, Joseph Ruttenberg - Cinematographer, Joe Pasternak - Producer, Richard A. Pefferle - Set Designer, Edwin B. Willis - Set Designer, Warren Newcombe - Special Effects, Gladys Lehman - Screenwriter, Richard Connell - Screenwriter, Booth Tarkington - Book Author
Presenting Lily Mars is an Americanmusical motion picture produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and released in 1943. The film starred Judy Garland and Van Heflin and was based on the novel by Booth Tarkington. It is often cited as Garland's first film playing an adult type role (although For Me and My Gal, released the previous year, is also often credited thus).
The soundtrack includes "When I Look At You", "Tom, Tom The Piper's Son", "It's Three O'Clock in the Morning" and "Broadway Rhythm" featuring Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra. The finale, "Where There's Music", original included parts of "St. Louis Blues", "In The Shade of the Old Apple Tree", and "It's a Long Way to Tipperary", which were deleted from the final version.
