LISTEN, DARLING.
US, 1938, 75 minutes, Black and white.
Judy Garland, Freddie Bartholomew, Walter Pidgeon, Mary Astor, Alan Hale, Gene Lockhart.
Directed by Edwin L. Marin.
Listen, Darling was a short second feature designed to promote Judy Garland. At sixteen she was an attractive youngster, able to carry a feature film and able to project her singing voice well. She has three songs in this film including Zing Went the Strings of My Heart. Freddie Bartholomew who had emerged from films like David Copperfield, Captain Courageous, Kidnapped is a prim and proper lead. Mary Astor is charming as the mother - later to be Judy Garland's mother in Meet Me in St. Louis. Walter Pidgeon, at the beginning of his career, is a pleasant hero. Good support from Alan Hale and Gene Lockhart. Soon after Judy Garland made The Wizard Of Oz and began a successful, though tragic, career.
1. Entertaining romantic comedy ?
2. The popular family films of the times for eg. Andy Hardy ? The conventions of the children, family values, searching for a husband for mother, comic sequences, songs ? The brief running time of the film?
3. M.G.M’s production values, black and white photography, musical score, the stars? A piece of contemporary Americana?
4. The plausibility of the film - for plot purposes? Establishing the characters of the children, the family situation, the banker suitor, the humour of the kidnapping of mother and son, the search for potential step? fathers, comedy adventures? The happy ending?
5. Judy Garland's style as Pinky? Her friendship with Buzz, singing at the play, her love for her mother, her love for her brother, her friendship with Buzz? Antagonism towards the banker? Concern for her mother and her weeping ? Contriving the kidnapping plot? Her fears? The first reaction to Richard? The enthusiasm for Slattery and his kindness? Her enjoying her mother being happy with Richard? Pouring out her heart to Slattery and contriving the happy ending? The potential shown by Judy Garland in this film?
6. Mary Astor's charm as Dottie? The widow and her concern for her children, pride? Marrying the Banker? Being thrown at Richard? Enjoying his company? but fearing his lack of responsibility? The happy ending? Richard and the encounter with the skunk, the attraction towards Dottie, his being unable to commit himself? The marriage?
7. Buzz and his speech, straight up and down attitudes, the law? Love for the family? The kidnap? Interrogating Richard? His plans for Slattery?
8. The Banker as potential suitor? and his paying court to Dottie? Slattery as so different. helping Scotty with the Daniel Boone suit, entertaining the children, listening to them. arranging the happy ending? His Butler?
9. The conversion of the songs for Judy Garland? Comedy sequences? Audiences being able to identify with the sentiments, family values, love in the family? An optimistic piece of domestic comedy?
