It's hard to see any effort in the film. There's no comedy to speak of, no real drama and, worst of all.

an ambitious but ultimately ineffective debut endeavor.

As somebody who had not heard any of this before, it became a curious phenomenon to sit and watch a film and slowly have the realities begin to click into place.

Close shines in drama with strong language, adult themes.

Mickey Rooney (Danny) is a college playboy – God knows how – and is sent to a rural college by his dad where there are no women students enrolled. What a totally stupid college. Anyway, there is one woman there – Judy Garland (Ginger), daughter of Guy Kibbee (the Dean) and she is responsible for the mail that comes into and out of the town via the railway station in the middle of nowhere. Does Mickey Rooney continue his lucky run with the ladies? Guess who he sets his sights on? This story of this film is irrelevant. Basically, Garland and Rooney meet up, sing songs, dance and put on a show. Apparently, this is viewed as the best of their collaborations so I'm glad I watched it. It saves me from what must be total dross in their other offerings. Both Garland and Rooney are larger than life personalities with one difference – Garland is likable whilst Rooney is detestable. I've even read that he plays down his usual energy-bomb character in this film. Good God! If this is him calmed down, I want no further interactions with this ghastly pipsqueak.All the characters are awful – even Judy Garland is particularly unpleasant on first meeting Rooney and leaving him stranded. However, what we do get is the talent of Judy Garland and the music. She is, of course, a great singer and this makes the film almost passable. The best song is "Bidin' My Time" near the beginning of the film. Nothing else is particularly memorable on the song front but Garland delivers them well. By contrast, Rooney's shtick is unbearable and the scene where he just keeps mimicking radio commentaries is agonizing. Not funny. Ever.A film with screen legends but you can skip it. Like I said – "Bidin' My Time" is the only reason to watch this film. Judy's performance during this is classic stuff.

Of the four musical comedies MGM made with Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland, "Girl Crazy" and "Strike Up the Band" stand out. This film may have a slight edge over the other. "Girl Crazy" is the only one of the four that isn't in a musical revue format. Instead of a story about young performers putting on a show with the musical numbers, this is a regular story in which the music is interspersed. Songs fit into the plot here and there. That's called a musical play format – the type that Rodgers and Hammerstein would perfect in their big blockbuster stage and then movie productions in the 1950s and 60s. (Think "Oklahoma," "South Pacific," "The King and I," "The Sound of Music," etc.)The entertainment industry often alludes to the talented Garland, and properly so for her great singing voice. Rooney doesn't usually get the same attention today, because his career took a down turn after his youthful years. Yet that young actor of short physical stature (5 feet, 2 inches) was a giant of talent. He could sing, dance, play excellent piano and other instruments, and act. He was particularly adept at impersonations and other comedic skills, though these were exhibited sparingly. Rooney has one such hilarious scene in "Girl Crazy" where he uses a standing microphone to rattle off several imitations of broadcasters and announcers one after another. This film also has some other great pluses. The full musical score was done by George and Ira Gershwin. It includes hit songs from their 1930s Broadway hit by the same name, including "Embraceable You," and "I Got Rhythm." Another plus is Tommy Dorsey and his orchestra doing the music. Rooney gets to showcase his considerable piano talent when he accompanies the Dorsey band on the ivories in "I Got Rhythm." The dance numbers are also excellent, with Busby Berkley's touch quite evident. A subtle humorous aside in the film has to do with Cheyenne and Wyoming, where much of the film takes place. The state's scant population and scarcity of buildings is carried to an exaggerated level. One scene has the stars heading for the capitol in an old jalopy. A sign points to Cheyenne just a few miles ahead. But they are still on a two-wheel track dirt road with sagebrush and treeless desert all around them. "Girl Crazy" holds up well with time, and anyone who enjoys great music, comedy or just plain entertainment should like this film.

This an upbeat, entertaining movie which showcases the talents of Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney and the rest of the cast. Mickey Rooney's performance is incredible. He sings, he dances, he acts, he is funny, he is serious, he does it all. Judy Garland was never better. She really could act - and dance too. The dance sequences are great. The story is transparent but so what? It's a musical and it delivers the goods. And of course, the music itself is great. This movie is in its own way a tribute to the music of George Gershwin. Where would this movie be without George Gershwin? The ubiquitous presence of Gershwin defines this movie. Sometimes are movie is character-driven, sometimes story-driven. This movie is music-driven, and it is driven quite well. There are some who may dismiss this movie as mere fluff, a Hollywood potboiler, a retreading of an old formula, but that would ignore the outstanding Gershwin music, the snappy dialog, the great acting and the wonderful cast. The fact is that this movie is entertaining and does the job, which is to entertain.

"Girl Crazy" was a Broadway hit in 1930. It had a superb Gershwin score that produced many standards. It also introduced two new stars - Ginger Rogers sang "But Not For Me" and "Embaceable You", and powerhouse singer Ethel Merman sang "I Got Rhythm". Unfortunately, the first film version was made in 1932, when people were staying away from musicals. The comedy of Wheeler and Woolsey, the stars, was built up at the exclusion of some of the songs.It was up to Busby Berkeley to put things right in this song filled 1943 version that used most of the Broadway score. Danny Churchill (Mickey Rooney) is a carefree playboy, whose headline making antics (he stops the show with June Allyson singing and dancing "Treat Me Rough") cause his father to send him to Cody College to toughen him up. On route he meets Ginger Gray, the postmistress - she is having car trouble. Judy Garland has never looked more radiant. Amazingly this was their 8th pairing and by far their best.Danny brings his "big city" ways to the ranch and puts most of the students off side. At an overnight mountain camp Ginger sings "Bidin' My Time" with a cowboy chorus. Danny decides to quit and wires his father he is coming home. On his way to the station, with Ginger driving he tries to romance her with the delightful "Could You Use Me" - she can't . She then sings a retaliation chorus. It is very entertaining.Danny rethinks his decision and returns for Ginger's birthday. Ginger, looking adorable sings "Embraceable You" while being wheeled around on a baby piano. Dean Armour (Guy Kibbee) gets word that the college is closing due to a fall in enrollments. Ginger and Danny decide to put on a Wild West show to get the school publicity. While trying to see the Governor, to get permission to put on the show, Mickey Rooney goes into a comic routine involving a tennis match, a boxing match and an electric leg (it must have been a riot in 1943!!!).While in town at Marjorie Tait's (Frances Rafferty) birthday party Danny promises most of the girls there that they will be crowned "Queen of the Rodeo" - he also does a wonderful turn at the piano with Tommy Dorsey's Orchestra for a rendition of "Fascinatin' Rhythmn". The contest is between Ginger Gray and Marjorie Tait (the Governor's daughter) who, surprise surprise!!! wins. Ginger is devastated, especially when she sees Marjorie wearing a pendant that she had given Danny for good luck. Ginger sings the plaintive "But Not For Me". They make up for the finale with a rousing routine for "I Got Rhythmn". It is nothing like the Busby Berkeley staged dances for "42nd Street", "Dames" and "Footlight Parade" but as a showcase for the talents of Garland and Rooney it is pretty spectacular.Judy certainly keeps up with Mickey and her acting style had matured heaps since their first pairing. It is wonderful to watch this movie and see her at her peak before her sad life caught up with her.Highly Recommended.