Better hope the fast forward on your remote is in good working order 'cause you're sure as hell gonna need it if you expect to make it through this very irksome musical. Basically, except for Tommy D and his orchestra, you can skip the first forty five minutes since that is how long it takes for Judy Garland to sing a solo number, (pretty much the textbook definition of "inexcusable"). Then, after the wonderful. "Embraceable You" you can ff till you get to Tommy D and his band again doing a stirring rendition of "Fascinating Rhythm" that is only partially screwed up by Mickey Rooney's lame piano antics. Press down once more on the ol forefinger till you get to Judy at her most sublime singing the Gershwins at their most sublime "But Not For Me". Then it's a short stint on the remote until you come to the Busby Berkeley directed finale, "I Got Rhythm", which is tame by Busby standards but towers above the half dead directorial style of Norman Taurog. Give it a generous C plus for Judy and Buzz.
Review of Girl Crazy
