Remember when Shirley Temple became a teenager and she made a few awkward films about the generation gap before rock 'n roll kicked in? A Date with Judy reminds me of one of those movies.In this one, Wallace Beery plays the out-of-touch father, and his daughter Jane Powell tries to teach him the errors of his ways. Powell sings "Love is Where You Find It", a song that Kathryn Grayson also introduced in 1948's The Kissing Bandit; will we ever know who was truly the originator? To help teach her structured father, Powell enlists the help of Carmen Miranda and Xavier Cugat. They basically play themselves.If you're not intimately familiar with the 1940s, the movie will seem incredibly dated. It's chalk-full of songs and dances, and a teenage romance between Elizabeth Taylor and Robert Stack, but it doesn't really stand the test of time very well.

This is a terrific film with a great cast and plot line. This film would begin the end of Elizabeth Taylor's career as a child star. 3 years later she would reach dramatic stardom for "A Place in the Sun." She has the right mode for this 1948 film as a shrewd girl, trying to lure Robert Stack away from Jane Powell.The real hit here is Wallace Beery as Powell's father. His practicing the learning of the rumba with Carmen Miranda was absolutely wonderful.This is a story of the coming of maturity among young adults as well as Beery, and Leon Ames, who portrayed Taylor's father.Stack is rather stiff as the summer soda-jerk smitten with both ladies. Perhaps, that's what the part called for.

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.

I first saw 'A Date With Judy' at the Radio City Music Hall in late August 1948 when I was eight years old.....what an epiphany!!! Years later I revisited the film via television...how could it ever hold up...but...it remains a total charmer!! Music via Powell is lovely, Elizabeth is breathtakingly beautiful...and charming.....then there is the rest of a super cast...Wallace Beery, Robert Stack, Selena Royale, George Cleveland (the wonderful grandfather from Lassie), Scotty Becket, Xavier Cugat...and lest we not forget, the superlative Carmen Miranda! "It's A Most Unusual Day" ( remember Hitchcock's use of this as Cary Grant walks through the Plaza just before his kidnapping?), Judaline, Love is Where You Find It" and most memorably of all.."Cuanto Le Gusto" (I have murdered the spelling but 'a rose is a rose'!) Super music and memories of the radio program and comic book of the same name.This is a delightful musical , and was very successful, in 1948 and is a treasure for today...and it's been released on DVD! It would look sumptuous in Blueray...maybe soon?