Summer Stock (1950)

This may have been Judy Garland’s last musical at MGM, the studio that had been her home for 15 years, but she went out with a bang. The tale of a New England farmer (Garland) whose life is turned around when a theatrical troupe moves in to rehearse in her barn was planned to put the star back on her feet after she was fired from ANNIE GET YOUR GUN (1950). Gene Kelly signed on to co-star and Charles Walters to direct because of their devotion to Garland. But though her struggles with pharmaceuticals made for a tortuous six-month shoot, the results were sparkling. Her big finale, “Get Happy,” has become iconic, imitated by everyone from Michael Jackson to the drag queen Alaska. 

d. Charles Walters, 109m, 35mm