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By
NICK ZEGARAC
"For Me And My Gal" is one of those almost forgotten favorites of the silver screen that once seen, you'll wonder why it took you so long to rediscover. Fresh from his Broadway success in "Pal Joey," Gene Kelly makes his film debut opposite veteran star Judy Garland. He plays Harry Palmer, a Vaudeville I'm-too-sexy-for-my-crew-cut ham that will do just about anything to make it into the big time. Garland is Jo Hayden, a Vaudeville performer in tow with Jimmy Metcalf (George Murphy). Jimmy hopes that Jo will marry him but she falls for Harry instead. However, when Jo learns that Harry has deliberately disfigured his hand to avoid going off to war, she shuns him in brokenhearted despair. A potpourri of standards belted out by Garland and company round out the multiple reasons that one should invest time in this film.
Nothing new from Warner Brothers in terms of the transfer. Their usual meticulous attention to remastering classic movies is evident in a solid print with rich, deep blacks, excellent balancing of the gray scale and an exceptional amount of fine details realized throughout. Film grain has been kept to a minimum. Some shimmering of fine details is present but does not distract. The audio is MONO but nicely restored.
Deleted musical numbers, a few vintage short subjects, the film's theatrical trailer, intro by Garland biographer Jonathan Fricke, and an audio commentary, comprise the extras.
The bells continue to ring for this feel good masterpiece of song and dance. A must have! |
