CitizenCaine Review of Everybody Sing

Everybody Sing (1938)

Judy Sings In Early Feature Role About Wacky Theatrical Family

[6/10 · 6 May 2004]

Unlike her usual sing between scenes roles from her early period, Judy Garland has more of a featured role in this early film. It's about a wacky theatrical family going broke that's shown up by the servants and their expelled daughter, Judy. It's a typical corny plot for a 1930's musical, but it's made bearable by the outstanding host of talented supporting players. Reginald Owen and the delightfully dizzy Billie Burke are hilarious as the theatrical couple. Reginald Gardiner, Lynne Carver, and Allan Jones play the straight romantic parts. Allan Jones and Fanny Brice, in a rare film appearance, are the servants. Jones' operatic singing is not always endearing in his films, and Brice's Baby Snooks routine looks less appealing on stage than it probably sounded on the radio. The first half of the film moves by at a quick pace with witty dialog and general zaniness; however, the film,oddly enough, drags somewhat in the second half when the film turns to more of a musical focus. A few songs are repeated throughout the film in one form or another, giving us the idea that MGM's budget wasn't large enough. Judy Garland, as the young girl that wants to be on stage, is full of energy and bounce. This is fluffy, madcap entertainment from the Great Depression years. **1/2 of 4 stars.