I actually give this film a 7.5, but decided to round it off to an 8.This film is almost sorta sitcom like. The scenes in the family household has not too different of traits from those clean family 1980s sitcoms. But it still has some traits of a clean family film from the late 1940s-early 1950s. This was one of Elizabeth Taylor's early films at 16 years old before she moved on to her well known more adult films such as "Butterfield 8" and "Cat on a hot tin roof". And she was good in "Father of the bride" (1950s version, not Steve Martin's 1990s version). Jane Powell was OK here, but she wasn't my favorite female character. It's not because she sings opera though. I actually really like opera, and I don't understand why so many people today hate it and always feel the need to bash it. Opera is a type of singing that represented old fashioned beauty, class, and culture, and it was in many Golden Age films. Soprano singers like Jane MacDonald and Katheryn Grayson were absolutely beautiful with wonderful voices and well loved with Golden Age film audiences. People's tastes have changed so much since those days. I like the role of Wallace Beery as dad and of Goerge Cleveland as Grandpa, even though their ages looked too close together to be father and son. They both looked post retirement age, Grandpa looking maybe just 5 years older than Beery but that was it. There was a nice little reminiscing moment with Jane playing piano and Grandpa singing "Through the years". There were some nice family moments such as a scene at the breakfast table where Beery and his wife jokingly try to decide whether to keep Jane or her younger brother. Also the witty remarks from Beery after Jane saying to him for the third time about how he needs to learn to rhumba". Then Beery debating the idea again. Then Jane saying "I just want us to be civilized", then Beery responding "if you mention the rhumba once more, I'm gonna forget that I'm civilized", but he had no menace or deep meaning behind the remark. He presented a good lovable father role. I also liked comments such as Jane saying after dumping Ogie "I just gave him up forever for a little while". I also kinda like those soda fountain moments which were always big in films from that era (Mickey and Judy Garland films were big with them too, but I liked those films even better ). I enjoyed Beery's character, and his scenes learning to rhumba with Carmen Miranda (and her hiding in the closet when Jane showed up because his learning to rhumba was supposed to be a surprise). Carmen telling Beery "stomach in, chest out, head up" while slapping each of those places on Beery reminded me of the ballet teacher that did the same thing to Red Skelton during a funny scene in "Bathing beauty", except the way she did it there to Red was harsher and more comical. Jane's character was kinda nice, but she did act sort of over the top and dumb in some scenes. I did not care too much for "I'm Strickly on the corny side" and the way she made her voice high in that last verse. I really like opera, but her high voice there was not opera sounding, it sounded more like a poor imitation of cowboy-like yodeling and it just didn't agree with me. I did like her other songs though, especially "It's a most unusual time". And I really enjoyed her and the whole rest of the family joining in on the song at her parents' anniversary dinner, and I remember watching that scene also in 1974's "That's entertainment". This was another film that ended with the big night out, and the big night out here was the anniversary dinner. It was a good ending though to a good film.

This MGM film benefits from strong casting and sincere dialogue, especially in the parent-child scenes. Don't miss the younger actors (especially Elizabeth Taylor and Scotty Beckett) who put real honest emotion into their parts. If only all young performers did such a great job, most of our movies would be so much better today.Jane Powell is the female lead in this picture, and as always, she is appealing. Of course, so are the other leads, Wallace Beery and Carmen Miranda. In fact, Miss Miranda nearly steals the show with her rumba lessons. But most impressive is Leon Ames, as an out- of-touch dad who realizes before it is too late, that his kids need him. I think this is his best performance.

Jane Powell plays Judy--a kooky teenager who can sing like a bird but who has difficulty picking friends. That's because her best friend, Carol (Elizabeth Taylor) is a rich, meddling, spoiled jerk--yet Judy doesn't seem to recognize this. And throughout the film, Carol does her best to make Judy's life miserable. For no particular reason, Carol drives a wedge between her brother, Oogie, and Judy--who are sweethearts. However, this backfires when Judy ends up with a much handsomer and older man, Stephen (Robert Stack). Now, jealous, Carol is determined to take Stephen for herself. But Stephen is no dummy--he sees that Carol is gorgeous but also lets her know that he can see right through her and her wiles.In a smaller side story, Judy's father (Wallace Beery) is a nice guy--but a nice guy who is embarrassed that he doesn't know how to dance. With his anniversary coming up, he decides to secretly take dance lessons (with Carmen Miranda) but due to Carol's meddling, people begin to think that he and Carmen are in love! SO, Judy decides the best way to fight this is to make her father feel loved--and she and the family lay it on thick. Clearly this is Beery at his best--and he's easy to love (despite his very nasty personality off-screen).This is the sort of light family musical-comedy that MGM did best. Films like "On Moonlight Bay" and "Meet Me in St. Louis" are just a small sampling of the sort of genre that the studio made to perfection. They also made some non-musicals with similar plots that just can't be beat, such as "Life With Father", the Andy Hardy films and "Cheaper By the Dozen" (the original--not the new crappy version). These films aren't especially deep but are filled with pleasant plots, a bit of minor melodrama, some laughs and, most importantly, nice folks you'd like to meet. My only complaint is that although Powell has a good voice, her high-toned style and high pitch is NOT to my liking. It's far less simple and pleasant than Judy Garland ("Meet Me in St. Louis") or Doris Day ("By the Light of the Silvery Moon" and "On Moonlight Bay"). I am also not a huge Carmen Miranda fan, though when she wasn't singing, she was just fine. Overall, while not a great family musical comedy, it's a good one and well worth your time.

Jane Powell and company hit a home run with this sweet and fun outing from MGM with music courtesy of Xavier Cugat and Carmen Miranda. Miranda fans will have to wait for the last 30 minutes for her two numbers, but they're worth it.The movie centers on Judy's love life and steady boyfriend, Ogden "Oogie," played by Scotty Beckett. Because he doesn't pick her up for a school dance and sends a "mere child," she gets miffed and drops him cold. The rest of the film has "Oogie" miserable and wanting back in the fold, with "Judy" giving him a hard time. Meanwhile, soda-jerk-for-the-summer Robert Stack is on hand to escort her to the dance, allowing her to make "Oogie" jealous. Elizabeth Taylor is great as "Oogie"'s sister (they both come from a rich family), who is a spoiled brat and dominates everything, getting her way all the time and who of course takes an instant liking to Robert Stack.Also, Wallace Beery, in a musical-comedy of all places!, is Jane Powell's pop, who finally learns to rumba to please his wife of 20 years and wants to surprise her on their wedding anniversary. Of course, he's taught by Miss Miranda and complications arise. Jane Powell has a little brother, who spouts fresh comments, and a sweet grandfather, who misses his deceased wife.If I haven't made you nostalgic feeling describing this old-fashioned movie, then you must be a Grinch. I can't tell you how much I enjoyed this quick, witty and feel good movie. Granted Miss Powell's songs aren't anything too memorable, but the majority of them are upbeat and cute. I personally like the slow ones. She does a sing a sweet one for her grandpa, which was her grandmother's favorite.Lastly, I'll say that this movie has always seemed somewhat like the Archie comics to me brought to life, in MGM style, due mostly to the fact that Elizabeth's character is practically "Veronica Lodge." Jane Powell could be "Betty Cooper" maybe, but I doubt "Betty" could sing like her. But with the soda shop/pharmacy as the hangout, it does feel like Archie's hometown of Riverdale, but without a true Archie here.If you're looking for the days of yore, when life was simple and bright, or just need a picker-upper, then this is for you. "A Date with Judy" will make you feel better long after the date's over.