Not even bad in a good way

Boring

I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.

but since I am one of those who would be happy to watch Van Heflin while he reads the telephone book, I had to rate it an 8. He's always stylish, solid, sincere, sexy, and here he is even young and handsome! I am used to seeing him in slightly later films. Maybe it is the mood I was in when I watched the film, but it struck me that Judy wasn't a totally sympathetic character, at least until the end. She seemed opportunistic and disingenuous at times. Kind of pushy even. And then to be upset because she can't be the star her first time performing: hey, she's got a successful producer/director in love with her. She's got a part in a big show, and she's on her way. But she is pouting about not being the lead her first time out. Only at the end does she redeem herself. No criticism of her singing and dancing, both are wonderful. And Judy looks terrific though she is VERY short. Without Van in the film, I'd have rated this a 6.

I love Judy Garland and she's great in all of her films such as all of the backyard musicals with Mickey Rooney. Those films are wonderful. This one is great too as Judy as Lily Mars who really wanted to get the attention of Van Heflin, major Broadway producer who is from the same town Judy is from. Judy kept hounding him, as she was an ambitious young girl who really wanted to be a star, and she wouldn't give up. It got Van irritated and him not too fond of Judy, since he also stated he had no time for amateurs. He screamed at Judy and her little sister, calling her grubby. It's OK though, every film needs a character or two who's not all sweet and nice. "Babes on Broadway" had that miserable uptight director, the husband of that pleasant lady who loved Mickey and his friends when meeting at that small spaghetti restaurant. One thing I didn't get in this film was with Van suddenly unexplainably changing from disliking Judy to almost loving her in a heartbeat, without any particular reason. He explained that it was because he knew her mom and dad and that they were from the same town, but he'd already known that from the beginning. It didn't quite make sense. I quite enjoyed at the party Judy's climbing over the fence gesture while telling Van about how she went over the fence to get inside. Then Van repeating the gesture in an amusing way. I loved how Judy told Van about how he needs to boost her over that fence if he's really wanting her to go, and Van says "yes, I really am", then Judy says "that's why you treat me that way, because you're afraid to think of me as a woman". Van: "you need a spanking young lady". Judy: "just like a naughty little girl (in soft seductive voice)...OK, boost (in regular voice)". I loved that. I also loved how Van is so taken aback by that that he backs into a lawn chair saying "pardon me madam" before seeing he said that to an empty chair. That was where you could see how Van maybe actually fancied Judy. I also loved Judy singin "Tom the Piper son". Her singing "When I look at you" is also beautiful. She sings "When I look at you, I look at an angel". When I look at Judy, I look at an angel. In all of her films looking at her sing almost every song of hers. I liked a lot of the other characters in this film also. Mickey Rooney's father played a theater security guard. I found amusing how when Judy told the guard "Van's father brought me into the world" and the guard replied "if you bother his son during rehearsals, he'll do just the opposite for you". Judy had 3 little kid sisters and a brother (who collected doorknobs and often asked Judy to bring him back some whenever she went out). Some reviewers called the kids bratty. I disagree. I think her siblings all really cared about their big sister. They even cried when Judy cried, which I guess were sympathy pains. Families back then were more genuinely loving and caring towards each other than they are today. Who today would cry just because of sympathy pains? I liked the other stage girls at the theater and the Russian song they sang and danced to. The finale number in this film is amazing wonderful, with the heavenly girls, the same girls from the Russian number, and Judy beautifully dancing and singing. I've read a couple of reviews where people were totally complaining about the finale. I don't understand that. The finale was beautiful.

In "Presenting Lily Mars," Judy Garland is an aspiring actress and singer, who is trying to get an audition with Van Heflin. He's a successful Broadway producer and writer who hails from her home town. When he goes home to visit mom, played by Fay Bainter, who's a friend of Judy's, they both try to set it up for Van Heflin to see what she can do. But he has always insisted on not seeing another eager amateur with no talent. Even for his own mother, no more auditions. In fact, the whole first half of the movie is about her trying to get noticed, even getting one of her younger sisters in on the act of playacting. Her mother, played by Spring Byington, encourages her. I had reviewed this before a couple of years back, when I gave the movie a rougher review, but upon seeing again, I enjoyed it more. As usual Judy is in great voice and the film has an offbeat sense of humor with a brother of hers collecting doorknobs. But what will happen? This movie may be predictable but it makes up for it by being very pleasant and having good supporting actors, and a madcap pace keeps the viewers' interest. "Lily Mars" is another good vehicle for Judy Garland, showcasing her versatility in comedic acting along with some very upbeat songs. Not much is mentioned about the movies she made in this time period between "The Wizard of Oz" and her more well-known MGM musicals like "Easter Parade" and "The Harvey Girls;" but watch "Presenting Lily Mars" and see just how great Judy Garland was whenever she was on screen, even in lesser-known films. She always lit up the screen.

almost every review of this movie I'd seen was pretty bad. It's not pretty bad, it's actually pretty good, though not great. The Judy Garland character could have gotten annoying, but she didn't allow it to. Somewhere along the line, i've become a fan of brooding, overbearing, overacting Van Heflin, at least in the early 40's. Judy's singing is great, but the film missed a great chance by not showing more of their relationship. I gave it a 7.