IN THE GOOD OLD SUMMERTIME

US, 1949, 102 minutes, Colour.
Judy Garland, Van Johnson, S.Z. Sakall,
Spring Byington, Clinton Sundberg, Buster Keaton, Lilian Bronson.
Directed by Robert Z. Leonard.

In the Good Old Summertime is a pleasing musical version of the Margaret Sullavan-James? Stewart vehicle, The Shop Around The Corner. It was adapted by the popular team of Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett. There are some old songs, sung with verve, especially by Judy Garland. Judy Garland and Van Johnson play well together, even though they are antagonistic most of the film. There is a very good supporting cast:
S.Z. Sakall at his most delightful, Spring Byington at her most charming, Clinton Sundberg engaging as Rudy, and a surprise with Buster Keaton as Hickey.

The film has an attractive period style, set mainly in a music shop which gives opportunity for comedy as well as for music. A young Liza Minnelli is glimpsed in the final moments of the film (which were used in That's Entertainment 2).

1. Delightful film? MGM production? Period? The adaptation of The Shop Around the Corner?

2. The modern opening, the memoir, the period, its look, New York, costumes and decor, the music shop, the cafes? Picnics? The songs and the various renditions?

3. The title, the song - at the climax at Christmas?

4. Van Johnson as Andy, hard-working, seeing him at work, his friendship with Rudy, the writing of the letters, the crashing into Miss Fisher, their clash about the job, the harp? The violin? Happy at work, the picnics? Anger at Miss Fisher? The working back, his discovering the truth about his correspondent? Knowing, the continued clashes, the friendship with Louise, her recital, the taking of the violin? The clash with Uncle Otto, Nellie's help? His not being sacked, the letter of reference and his promotion? The celebration of Christmas, his telling the truth to Veronica?

5. Miss Fisher, the writing of the letters, bumped into by Andy, applying for the job, charming Uncle Otto? The various clashes in the store, her living with her Aunt, her hopes, the meeting dashed, the continued letters, the explanation of her friends not turning up, the ironies of it being Andy? The end, Andy telling her about the ugliness of the correspondent, the happy ending and the truth? The family beginning?

6. Uncle Otto, tyrant but friendly, his long friendship with Nellie, the picnics, work, his fussiness, attitude towards Hickey, his love for his violin, the taking of the violin, the police, his hearing it played beautifully, the gift to Louise?

7. Nellie as secretary, a nice presence in the shop, helping everyone, in love with Otto?

8. Buster Keaton as Hickey, the nephew, work in the shop, his mistakes, attracted towards Veronica?

9. Rudy, his friendship and his help?

10. Louise, friendship with Andy, the playing of the violin, the gift of the violin? Her winning the audition?

11. An easygoing and pleasant blend of comedy, romance with the touch of irony?