Danny Churchill (Mickey Rooney) is a young playboy with a love for the ladies. After making headlines in all the national newspapers with his near drunken self put in the center of a floor show, Danny’s father takes him out of Yale and transfers him to the boys only Cody College. To Danny’s shock, Cody College is an old school western school with lots of studying, cow handling, and little free time. On his way to the school, Danny meets the lovely Ginger (Judy Garland) who is broken down on the road. He soon finds himself madly in love with Ginger. So when the time comes to save the college from dropping student applications, he and Ginger decide to throw a western-themed show.

Girl Crazy (1943) was the fourth and last vehicle developed for Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland from MGM producer Arthur Freed. It also happened to be the last of the nine movies the pair would appear together in. The production was a little worrisome when the original director Busby Berkely was getting carried away with musical numbers. So he was replaced by Norman Taurog, who had a more naturalist tone and down to earth style.

This was actually a sort of remake of the 1932 RKO movie of the same name that starred Bert Wheller and Robert Woolsey. I haven’t seen the 1932 movie, but I can see where the plot would be closer to the more lustful elements of the stage musical. Rooney’s girl-crazy feelings are hardly the source of comedy, but the finished film is a happy surprise.

This is after all a film centered around the duo of Garland and Rooney. The plot and even the western school setting aren’t really the focus. Some scenes get carried away and drift from the story just to focus on the pair’s chemistry. One of the most dramatically unnecessary but entertaining scenes is Rooney trying to cheer up Garland as they wait to speak to the governor. While it doesn’t move the plot, it is still moving and memorable. It’s one of the pleasures of revisiting the pair’s films together. Garland and Rooney are just endlessly loveable.  

Only one of Berkely’s musical numbers is left intact in the finished film. “I Got Rhythm” is a showstopping and incredible piece of filmmaking. It’s so outlandish and fun. But the clash in tone is so noticeable. It gives you an idea of what Berkely’s version of the film would’ve been like, but personally I think Norman Taurog’s direction is more ideal. He uses the musical numbers to add to the character and further the story. They don’t stop the film cold in its tracks. 

While not a perfect film, Girl Crazy is mountain of fun. 

Warner Archive brings this comic favorite to shiny life on Blu-ray. The print is near perfect with only a couple of moments of print damage and no DNR issues. The blacks are soft and the focus is clear. Garland’s close-ups are especially nice and detailed. The 2.0 English DTS-HD MA audio is also free of problems with no hiss or pops. English subtitles are included.

Extras included:

• Audio commentary with John Fricke. A good track with plenty of trivia and background on the Rooney and Garland movies.
• Hollywood Daredevils (Short subject)
• The Early Bird Dood It!, a fun MGM cartoon.
• I Got Rhythm stereo version.
• Bronco Busters audio outtake
• Theatrical Trailer

Warner Archives releases a stellar Blu-ray of this fun movie. An essential purchase for Rooney and Garland fans.Highly Recommended. 

Directed by: Norman Taurog

Cast- Mickey Rooney, Judy Garland

Country of Origin- US

Discs- 1

Distributor- Warner Archive

Reviewer- Tyler Miller