Very good film, maybe not the very best of Judy's, but there are no bad Judy Garland films. A film will never be that bad with that pretty, beautiful voiced angel on the screen, no matter how bad the rest of the film is."The Harvey girls" had some pretty good parts. The Harvey girls were a group of girls who took the train down to the old west town of Sandrock in the 19th century. Judy was on the train with them, and very hungry with nothing but a half slice of bread while seeing other girls holding big pieces of fried chicken. Then this little girl stops and looks at Judy begging for something to eat. I was sort of curious why she begged Judy for food when she hardly had anything when there was clearly those other girls nearby with the big pieces of fried chicken and such (including a corned beef sandwich that one of the girls had Judy try a couple moments later). Well perhaps she didn't see the other girls' food, she was quite small. Once the train arrived in Sandrock, the girls, and the townfolk started singing the best song of the film, "The Atchison, Topeka, and the Santa Fe". Across the street was an old west saloon with drinking, rowdyness, and burlesque girls led by Angela Langsbury, who they and saloon owner Jon Hodiak did not like the Harvey girls moving into their town. Judy was on her way to Sandrock to marry a man there she'd never met yet but had been writing and receiving letters from. Once there, Judy found out that the whole thing was a prank. Judy, upset, confronted the man behind the prank, John, who retaliated, Judy retaliated back. Then things between John and other members of the saloon and Judy and the other Harvey girls (who Judy now joined) escalated. John and his crew stole the Harvey girl's meat. Judy came into the saloon holding two guns demanding it back (she did look sort of comical and silly doing that). John had one of his friends, the town judge, shoot a bullet through the Harvey girl's window as they were going to bed. At one point, there was a literal brawl between the burlesque girls and the Harvey girls (which did looka sort of corny). Judy's singing definitely, as always, was beautiful. The song "Atchison, Topeka, and the Santa fe" was wonderful, very elaborate with nearly the entire town taking part in it. The middle of the song parts with different girls singing their personal lines which were charming such as Virginia O'brien with "I said goodbyo Ohio" and one of the other girls with "I came from Paris, was married in Paris, almost buried in Paris, so I then left Paris, (girls join in) Paris, Illinois". I liked that. I also liked Judy, Virginia, and Cyd Charrise singing "It's a great big world", and the girls' "Round and round" at the dance. All beautiful songs. There was also some of Ray Bulger's ("Oz" scarecrow) rubber legged dancing. Ray became the new blacksmith who was to say the least, sort of a coward of guns shooting off and of horses. Maybe they should've had Bert Lair as the cowardly lion play this part instead of Ray the scarecrow. I liked Virginia joining in to help out Ray shoe the horse. The scene with Cyd and the saloon piano player singing "Just you wait and see" was very nice. I love Cyd Charrise. I also liked a scene with Judy and John outside of the town with them sitting down againced some rocks. Then when they get up, John trips and Judy laughed. Her laughter there reminded me of her laughter in "Girl crazy" when she kept laughing at Mickey Rooney. I love Judy's laugh. I love her singing, her passion, and her beauty. I love Judy Garland. There is no bad Judy movie.

Okay, if unmemorable, Western-based musical starring Judy Garland. The main reasons to watch it are for her and the Oscar-winning song, "On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe", which, even if the name doesn't ring a bell, if you heard the tune, you'd recognize it. Ray Bolger reunites with Garland as the town's new blacksmith. He has some amusing dance numbers. Also, a very young Angela Lansbury. There's nothing much else to the film. The other songs are forgettable. They must have known this, since the Oscar winner keeps reappearing in the underscore throughout the picture. John Hodiak is a terrible choice for Garland's enemy-but-soon-to-be-beloved. I could never get past that shark grin. Marjorie Main annoys with her scratchy voice. For some reason, the filmmakers think it's hilarious to have her contribute to several of the musical numbers. It sounds like she underwent torture. All in all, it's amiable, but not really worth the time.

Susan Bradley( Judy garland) goes out on an adventure with hope that her new husband is and wonderful and gorgeous as his letters. On the train going to Sandrock a little mining town, she meets the "Harvey Girls", girls who leave home to be waitresses at "The Harvey House". And how they meet is when they see Susan has nothing to eat except literally a couple of crumbs. They offer her a sandwich, which she accepts and while she's eating it, they all ask her why she's going to Sandrock. She tells them all about her new husband Mr H.H. Hartsey "esquire" (Chill Wills) She reads them the letters which she finds out soon that are fake. When the get off the train Mr. Hartsey mistakes the Harvey House cook for Susan. He kisses her and she gives him a beating while the whole train station laughs. But Before this happens they all sing for literally I think about half an hour. (I fast-forwarded it. Warning: never watch this with someone who remembers this when it came out! I watched it with my grandma who thought the singing was good and wouldn't let me skip it!) After they leave the train station and Susan finds out Who's letters they are actually written by, She confronts Mr. Ned Trent about it. She tells him "Oh I'm just someone who doesn't like you Mr.Trent. I don't know if you're a thief or a murderer but I know one thing,you're worse! You're a yellow dog Mr.Trent, Good-day!" And when he goes after her out side she says "You mean I've come 2 thousand miles for a joke?! wouldn't you just love it if I went back home?! Me and all the other nice girls that came out here today! If I have anything to say about it you're going to have to eat all those pretty letters you wrote and yes I hope you choke on them too!" Thus the western romance begins. So Watch this movie girls! you'll adore it!

"The Harvey Girls" is MGM at its very best. The near perfection of the "On the Atchison, Topeka and Sata Fe" number is worth a viewing if for nothing else. If you want to see what Hollywood's Golden Age was all about see this film. Judy Garland and the entire cast turn in A+ performances. Virginia O'Brien's deadpan delivery is understated genius. An interesting note, in an era when African-American performances were usually cut out of films in the South, director George Sidney has actor Ben Carter (as John Henry) begin the main number of the film, thus ensuring that he would not be cut out of the film. Sidney proves his worth as a director and gives a preview of his accomplishments to come on "Annie Get Your Gun".