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A Date with Judy (film)

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A Date with Judy
Theatrical release poster
Directed byRichard Thorpe
Screenplay by
Based onA Date with Judy
radio series
by Aleen Leslie
Produced byJoe Pasternak
Starring
CinematographyRobert Surtees
Edited byHarold F. Kress
Music byErnesto Lecuona
Distributed byMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Release date
  • July 29, 1948 (1948-07-29)
Running time
113 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$1.3 million[1] or $2 million[2]
Box office$4.6 million[1]

A Date with Judy is a 1948 American Technicolor musical romantic comedy film directed by Richard Thorpe and starring Wallace Beery, Jane Powell and Elizabeth Taylor.[3][4] The film is based on the radio series of the same name.

The film features Powell's soprano singing voice and also features musical performances by Brazilian singer Carmen Miranda and Spanish bandleader Xavier Cugat. The songs "Judaline" and "It's a Most Unusual Day" also debuted in the film.

Plot

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In Santa Barbara, California, snobbish teenager Carol Pringle tells her best friend Judy Foster that famous bandleader Xavier Cugat will be the guest of honor at their high school dance that night. Carol convinces her younger brother Ogden "Oogie" Pringle to cancel his dance date with Judy, claiming that women are more drawn to men who ignore them. When Judy learns that Oogie has decided not to take her to the dance, she becomes infuriated and vows to end their friendship. Dejected, Judy visits "Pop" Sam Scully's drugstore, where she meets Pop's handsome nephew Stephen Andrews. He agrees to escort her to the dance as a favor to Pop. At the dance, Oogie sees Judy with Stephen and becomes jealous. While Oogie tries to divert Judy's attention away from Stephen, Stephen meets Carol and they dance together.

Realizing how much Judy means to Oogie, Carol schemes to reunite them by telling Judy that she has convinced her wealthy father to give Judy and Oogie a program on his radio station. At a dinner arranged by Carol, Oogie tries to make amends with Judy, but when Judy accidentally falls, she wrongly accuses him of pushing her. Although Stephen assures Oogie that he would never take Judy from him, she tells her father that she is in love with Stephen and intends to marry him.

After a circumstantial misunderstanding, Judy believes that her father Melvin is having an affair with rumba instructor Rosita Conchellas. Judy runs home and gives her mother a beauty makeover to make her more appealing to her father.

Upon learning that Carol is in love with Stephen, her widowed father Lucien performs a background check on Stephen. Stephen confronts Lucien, declaring that he now understands why Carol is spoiled and egotistical. Lucien pledges to be more attentive to Oogie and Carol. Oogie visits Judy's house and tries to serenade her, but they argue when he says that he is taking a fishing trip with his father and might not return in time for their radio show.

The next day, Judy and Carol see Melvin escorting Rosita to his car. That night, at Judy's parents' anniversary celebration, Judy and Carol accuse Rosita of having an affair with a married man. Rosita misunderstands the accusation and believes that they are talking about Cugat, her fiancé. Rosita explains that she was teaching Judy's father the rumba as a surprise for his wife and children. Judy and Carol realize their mistake and apologize to Rosita. Judy reconciles with Oogie after she learns that Carol is in love with Stephen, and Stephen agrees to resume his romance with Carol in a few years when she is older.

Cast

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Songs

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Production

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Original theatrical trailer

A Date with Judy was produced by Joe Pasternak. The film was a great success, particularly highlighted by the musical number "Cuanto Le Gusta," performed by Carmen Miranda.[5]

Thomas E. Breen was initially cast to co-star in the film alongside Jane Powell, while Leslie Kardos was assigned as director. Actress Selena Royle replaced Mary Astor, who withdrew due to health issues. Vincente Minnelli's biography mentions that a musical number titled "Mulligatawny," created by Stanley Donen, was cut from the final version of the film.

Robert Stack was almost twice as old as Elizabeth Taylor, who played his romantic interest. The last day of filming was January 27, 1948; at that time Stack was 29 and Taylor was 15.

The screenplay is based on a radio program that aired from 1941 to 1949 on NBC, and then from 1949 to 1950 on ABC. The character "Judy Foster" was portrayed on the radio by Dellie Ellis, Louise Erickson, and Ann Gillis. Later, actress Patricia Crowley played "Judy Foster" in the eponymous television series, which aired on ABC from 1951 to 1953.[6]

Release

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The film spent four weeks at the top of the U.S. box office,[7] earning theatrical rentals of $3,431,000 in the United States and Canada and $1,155,000 elsewhere, resulting in a profit of $1,495,000.[1][8]

Reception

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Craig Butler's review of A Date with Judy describes the film as a light and charming musical, typical of 1940s and 1950s Hollywood. He highlights the cheerful tone and simple structure of the plot, which is exaggerated and improbable, yet still manages to maintain a steady pace. Director Richard Thorpe ensures a light-hearted approach, while Stanley Donen's choreography is fast-paced and creative. Jane Powell is mentioned for her exaggerated energy, though her performance of "It's a Most Unusual Day" is praised. Elizabeth Taylor, while stunning, brings more depth to her role than is required, and Wallace Beery is described as captivating. Carmen Miranda is also noted for her energy, especially in her performance of "Cuanto Le Gusta." Despite being dated and superficial in its views on women, the film is still considered moderately enjoyable.[9]

Variety's review highlights the youthful enthusiasm and light entertainment of A Date with Judy, based on the characters created by Aleen Leslie. Jane Powell is praised for her attractive presence, with emphasis on her vocal performances in five numbers and her comedic antics that drive the plot forward. The song "It's a Most Unusual Day" by Jimmy McHugh and Harold Adamson is described as the highlight, being repeated at the end. Carmen Miranda is also mentioned for her usual energy in "Cooking with Glass" and "Cuanto Le Gusta," leaving a strong impression.[10]

Tony Sloman of Radio Times gives A Date with Judy a rating of 3 out of 5 stars, considering it a charming musical from MGM's golden age, though a bit long and corny by modern standards. He highlights sweet Jane Powell in the lead role and praises the opportunity for Elizabeth Taylor to shine. Wallace Beery, though at the end of his career, still stands out, despite Technicolor not being flattering to his appearance. Sloman also mentions that Beery manages to perform alongside Carmen Miranda, and emphasizes the success of the song "It's a Most Unusual Day".[11]

In his review for The New York Times, Thomas F. Brady notes that the film follows Hollywood's established conventions for teen comedies but remains pleasantly entertaining within that familiar format. He acknowledges that Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's formula for such comedies is effective, even though it has been worn out by years of repetition. Brady concludes that the film provides acceptable summer entertainment for those not overly tired of typical teen plots and their predictable attitudes.[12]

Andrea Passafiume of Turner Classic Movies discusses Elizabeth Taylor's transformation from a youthful actress to a sex symbol, portraying a "bad girl" in contrast to Jane Powell’s "good girl." She highlights the friendship between the two actresses and how Taylor seized the opportunity to change her on-screen image, a shift crucial to her career. The review also praises the film's musical numbers, such as "It's a Most Unusual Day" and "Judaline," with Carmen Miranda standing out as the rumba teacher Rosita, particularly in her performance of "Cuanto Le Gusta." Xavier Cugat is also mentioned for bringing his Latin energy to the film. Wallace Beery, as Judy's father, receives mixed reviews from Powell, who describes him as difficult to work with, though she respected him as an actor.[13]

References

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  1. ^ a b c The Eddie Mannix Ledger, Los Angeles: Margaret Herrick Library, Center for Motion Picture Study
  2. ^ "109-Million Investment by H'wood In Current Technicolor Features". Variety. Vol. 169, no. 11. February 18, 1948. p. 7.
  3. ^ "Film Reviews". Variety. Vol. 171, no. 3. June 23, 1948. p. 6.
  4. ^ Harrison's Reports film review. June 19, 1948. p. 99.
  5. ^ Edward Baron Turk (1998). "Hollywood Diva – A Biography of Jeanette MacDonald". Retrieved January 17, 2025.
  6. ^ "A Date with Judy (1948)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  7. ^ "National Boxoffice Survey". Variety. Vol. 172, no. 2. September 15, 1948. p. 3.
  8. ^ "Top Grossers of 1948". Variety. Vol. 173, no. 4. January 5, 1949. p. 46.
  9. ^ "Review A Date with Judy (1948) - Richard Thorpe". Allmovie. Retrieved January 17, 2025.
  10. ^ "A Date with Judy". Variety. Retrieved January 17, 2025.
  11. ^ "A Date with Judy (1948)". Radio Times. Retrieved January 17, 2025.
  12. ^ Brady, Thomas F. (1948-08-06). "The Screen: 'A Date With Judy' Arrives at the Music Hall—Carmen Miranda Provides Laughs". The New York Times. p. 22.
  13. ^ "ARTICLES: A Date with Judy (1948)". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved January 17, 2025.
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