Strike Up the Band is a 1940 American black and white musical film

Musical film

The musical film is a film genre in which songs sung by the characters are interwoven into the narrative, sometimes accompanied by dancing. The songs usually advance the plot or develop the film's characters, though in some cases they serve merely as breaks in the storyline, often as elaborate...

. It is directed by Busby Berkeley and stars Mickey Rooney

Mickey Rooney

Mickey Rooney is an American film actor and entertainer whose film, television, and stage appearances span nearly his entire lifetime. He has won multiple awards, including an Honorary Academy Award, a Golden Globe and an Emmy Award...

 and Judy Garland

Judy Garland

Judy Garland was an American actress and singer. Through a career that spanned 45 of her 47 years and for her renowned contralto voice, she attained international stardom as an actress in musical and dramatic roles, as a recording artist and on the concert stage...

.

A very famous, memorable quote from the film is "Take that boy on the street. Teach him to blow a horn and he'll never blow a safe.", spoken by Paul Whiteman.

As well as being commercially released as a VHS in its own right, it was also released on 25 September 2007 by Warner Home Video

Warner Home Video

Warner Home Video is the home video unit of Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc., itself part of Time Warner. It was founded in 1978 as WCI Home Video . The company launched in the United States with twenty films on VHS and Betamax videocassettes in late 1979...

 in a film package entitled: The Mickey Rooney & Judy Garland Collection. This collection included the films Babes in Arms

Babes in Arms

Babes in Arms is a 1937 musical with music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Lorenz Hart and book by Rodgers and Hart. It concerns a teen-age boy who puts on a show with his friends to avoid being sent to a work farm.- Production history:...

, Babes on Broadway

Babes on Broadway

Babes on Broadway is a 1941 musical film starring Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland and directed by Busby Berkeley, with Vincente Minnelli directing Garland's big solo numbers. The film, which features Fay Bainter and Virginia Weidler, was the third in the "Backyard Musical" series about kids who put...

, Girl Crazy

Girl Crazy

Girl Crazy is a 1930 musical with music by George Gershwin, lyrics by Ira Gershwin and book by Guy Bolton and John McGowan. Ethel Merman made her stage debut in this musical production....

 and Strike Up the Band.

The original taglines for the film were: "THEIR SUNNIEST, FUNNIEST, DOWN-TO-MIRTHIEST HIT!, IT BEATS THE BAND!, Melodious with WHITEMAN'S BAND and The merriest pair on the screen in a great new musical show!

In keeping with MGM's practice of the time, the film soundtrack was recorded in stereophonic sound

Stereophonic sound

The term Stereophonic, commonly called stereo, sound refers to any method of sound reproduction in which an attempt is made to create an illusion of directionality and audible perspective...

 but released with conventional monaural sound. At least some of the original stereo recording has survived and been included in some home video releases, including the Mickey Rooney - Judy Garland Collection.

Cast

• Mickey Rooney
  Mickey Rooney
  Mickey Rooney is an American film actor and entertainer whose film, television, and stage appearances span nearly his entire lifetime. He has won multiple awards, including an Honorary Academy Award, a Golden Globe and an Emmy Award...
  
   - James 'Jimmy' Connors
• Judy Garland
  Judy Garland
  Judy Garland was an American actress and singer. Through a career that spanned 45 of her 47 years and for her renowned contralto voice, she attained international stardom as an actress in musical and dramatic roles, as a recording artist and on the concert stage...
  
   - Mary Holden
• Paul Whiteman and Orchestra - Group Performers
• June Preisser
  June Preisser
  June Preisser was an American actress, briefly popular in musical films during the late 1930s and early 1940s, many of which capitalized on her skills as an acrobat.-Life and career:...
  
   - Barbara Frances Morgan
• William Tracy
  William Tracy
  William Tracy was an American character actor. He was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.Tracy is perhaps best known for the role of Pepi Katona, the delivery boy, in The Shop Around the Corner. He also starred in the John Ford film Tobacco Road . That same year, he began a recurring role as Sgt...
  
   - Philip 'Phil' Turner
• Larry Nunn - Willie Brewster
• Paul Whiteman
  Paul Whiteman
  Paul Samuel Whiteman was an American bandleader and orchestral director.Leader of the most popular dance bands in the United States during the 1920s, Whiteman's recordings were immensely successful, and press notices often referred to him as the "King of Jazz"...
  
   - Paul Whiteman
• Margaret Early
  Margaret Early
  Margaret Early was an American film actress who was active in Hollywood during the 1930s and 1940s. She is best remembered for her endearing Southern charm.- Life and career:...
  
   - Annie
• Ann Shoemaker - Mrs. Jessie Connors
• Francis Pierlot
  Francis Pierlot
  Francis Pierlot was a stage and film actor with over 90 film credits.His first film credit was in 1914, but he didn't begin appearing in films full time until 1940 at the age of 63...
  
   - Mr. Judd
• Virginia Brissac
  Virginia Brissac
  Virginia Brissac was an American stage and film actress. With her stern features, she often played schoolteachers and other authority figures....
  
   - Mrs. May Holden
• George Lessey
  George Lessey
  George Lessey was an American actor and director of the silent era. He appeared in 123 films between 1910 and 1946. He also directed 76 films between 1913 and 1922. Lessey also appeared in the original Broadway production of Porgy and Bess in one of the few white roles, that of the lawyer Mr...
  
   - Mr. Morgan
• Enid Bennett
  Enid Bennett
  -Career:Born in York, Western Australia, Bennett started her film acting career in 1916, first starring in Get-Rich-Quick Wallingford, with two other films that same year...
  
   - Mrs. Morgan
• Howard C. Hickman
  Howard C. Hickman
  Howard C. Hickman was an accomplished stage leading man, who entered films through the auspices of producer Thomas H. Ince. He co-starred with his wife, actress Bessie Barriscale, in several productions before returning to the theatre...
  
   - Doctor (as Howard Hickman)
• Sarah Edwards - Miss Hodges, a Teacher
• Milton Kibbee
  Milton Kibbee
  Milton Kibbee was an American film actor. He appeared in over 360 films between 1933 and 1953.He was born in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and died in Simi Valley, California...
  
   - Mr. Holden
• Helen Jerome Eddy
  Helen Jerome Eddy
  Helen Jerome Eddy was a motion picture actress from New York, New York. She was noted as a character actress who played genteel heroines in films such as Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm .-Biography:...
  
   - Mrs. Brewster

Soundtrack

• "Strike up the Band"

Music by George Gershwin

Lyrics by Ira Gershwin

Played during the opening credits

Sung by Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney, and chorus in the finale

• "Our Love Affair"

Music by Roger Edens

Lyrics Arthur Freed

Played during the opening and end credits

Played on piano by Mickey Rooney and sung by Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney with orchestral accompaniment

Reprised by the animated fruit orchestra

Reprised by the band at rehearsal and at the dance

Reprised by Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney in the finale

Played as background music often

• "Do the La Conga"

Music and Lyrics by Roger Edens

Performed by Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney, Sidney Miller,

William Tracy and chorus at the dance

Reprised by the cast in the finale

• "Nobody"

Music and Lyrics by Roger Edens

Sung by Judy Garland

• "Oh Where, Oh Where Has My Little Dog Gone?"

Traditional

Played as background music at the start of the fair sequence

• "The Gay Nineties"

Music and Lyrics by Roger Edens

Performed by Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney, William Tracy,

Margaret Early and chorus at the Elks Club show

• "Nell of New Rochelle"

Music and Lyrics by Roger Edens

Performed by Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney and chorus in the Elks club show

• "Sidewalks of New York" (uncredited)

Music by Charles Lawlor

A few notes played at the start of the 'Nell of New Rochelle' sequence

• "Walking Down Broadway"

Traditional

Music Arranged by Roger Edens

Sung by the chorus in the 'Nell of New Rochelle' sequence

• "A Man Was the Cause of It All"

Music and Lyrics by Roger Edens

Sung by Judy Garland in the 'Nell of New Rochelle' sequence

• "After the Ball" (uncredited)

Music by Charles Harris

Played as dance music in the 'Nell of New Rochelle' sequence

• "Sobre las olas (Over the Waves)" (uncredited)

Music by Juventino Rosas

Juventino Rosas

José Juventino Policarpo Rosas Cadenas was a Mexican composer and violinist.-Life and career:Rosas was born in Santa Cruz de Galeana, Guanajuato, now renamed Santa Cruz de Juventino Rosas. Rosas began his musical career as a street musician and playing with dance music bands in Mexico City...

Played as background music in the 'Nell of New Rochelle' sequence

• "Heaven Will Protect the Working Girl" (uncredited)

Music by A. Baldwin Sloane

Lyrics by Edgar Smith

Sung by Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney and chorus in the 'Nell of New Rochelle' sequence

• "Home, Sweet Home
  Home! Sweet Home!
  "Home! Sweet Home!" is a song that has remained well-known for over 150 years. Adapted from American actor and dramatist John Howard Payne's 1823 opera Clari, Maid of Milan, the song's melody was composed by Englishman Sir Henry Bishop with lyrics by Payne...
  
  " (uncredited)

Music by H.R. Bishop

Played as background music when Nell rocks the cradle

• "Ta-ra-ra Boom-der-é" (uncredited)

Written by Henry J. Sayers

Danced to and sung by June Preisser and sung by the chorus in the 'Nell of New Rochelle' sequence

Reprised in the finale of the 'Nell of New Rochelle' sequence

• "Come Home, Father" (uncredited)

Music and Lyrics by Henry Clay Work (1864)

Sung by Larry Nunn and Judy Garland in the 'Nell of New Rochelle' sequence

• "The Light Cavalry Overture"

Music by Franz von Suppé

Franz von Suppé

Franz von Suppé or Francesco Suppé Demelli was an Austrian composer of light operas who was born in what is now Croatia during the time his father was working in this outpost of the Austro-Hungarian Empire...

Played in the 'Nell of New Rochelle' sequence several times

• "Rock-a-Bye Baby" (uncredited)

Music by Effie I. Canning

Played as background music when Willie is told to go home

• "Five Foot Two, Eyes of Blue (Has Anybody Seen My Girl)?"

Music by Ray Henderson

Played as background music when Jimmy and Barbara wait for her parents

• "When Day is Done"

Music by Robert Katscher

Opening number played by Paul Whiteman and Orchestra at Barbara's party

• "Wonderful One"

Music by Paul Whiteman and Ferde Grofé Sr.

Played as dance music by Paul Whiteman and Orchestra at Barbara's party

• "Drummer Boy"

Music by Roger Edens

Lyrics by Roger Edens and Arthur Freed

Performed at Barbara's party by Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney (on drums and vibraphone) and other band members

Reprised by the cast in the finale

• "China Boy"

Written by Dick Winfree and Phil Boutelje

Played as background music during the travel and contest montage

• "Hands Across the Table" (uncredited)

Music by Jean Delettre

Played as background music during the travel and contest montage

• "Limehouse Blues
  Limehouse Blues
  Limehouse Blues is a world famous jazz standard , as well as a 1934 crime film is set in London's Chinese district and starring George Raft and Anna May Wong. The film is named after the tune...
  
  " (uncredited)

Music by Philip Braham

Played as background music during the travel and contest montage

• "Tiger Rag
  Tiger Rag
  "Tiger Rag" is a jazz standard, originally recorded and copyrighted by the Original Dixieland Jass Band in 1917. It is one of the most recorded jazz compositions of all time.-Origins:...
  
  " (uncredited)

Written by Edwin B. Edwards, Nick LaRocca, Tony Sbarbaro, Henry Ragas and Larry Shields

Played as background music during the travel and contest montage

• "Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean" (uncredited)

Music Arranged by Thomas A. Beckett

Played as background music when the flag is raised at the end

Awards

In 1941, the year after the film was released, the film was nominated for three Academy Awards

Academy Awards

An Academy Award, also known as an Oscar, is an accolade bestowed by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry, including directors, actors, and writers...

. Douglas Shearer

Douglas Shearer

Douglas G. Shearer was a Canadian-born pioneer sound designer and recording director who played a key role in the advancement of sound technology for motion pictures.-Early life and career:...

 (M-G-M SSD) won an Oscar for Best Sound, Recording and Roger Edens and George Stoll were nominated for an Oscar in the category of Best Music, Original Song for the song "Our Love Affair". George Stoll and Roger Edens were also nominated for an Oscar in the category of Best Music, Score.

Film Connections

The film is referenced in:

• The Big Store
  The Big Store
  The Big Store is a Marx Brothers comedy film in which Groucho, Chico and Harpo work to save the Phelps Department Store, owned by Martha Phelps . Groucho plays her detective and bodyguard Wolf J...
  
   (1941) - Seen on Marquee opposite store, without the names of Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland and
• "The Odd Couple: Strike Up the Band or Else (#5.6)" (1974) - Movie title used in title
• "Alice: Alice Strikes Up the Band (#5.18)" (1981) - title reference
• Life with Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows (2001) (TV)

The film is featured in:

• We Must Have Music (1942)
• That's Entertainment!
  That's Entertainment!
  That's Entertainment! is a 1974 compilation film released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer to celebrate its 50th anniversary. It was followed by two sequels and a related film called That's Dancing!....
  
   (1974)
• "Fejezetek a film történetéböl: Amerikai filmtípusok - A zenés film (#1.9)" (1989)
• Musicals Great Musicals: The Arthur Freed Unit at MGM (1996) (TV)
• Hollywoodism: Jews, Movies and the American Dream (1998) (TV)

The film is spoofed in

• "Neighbours: Strife Up the Band (#1.4994)" (2006) - Paraphrases the title (only one letter in first word differs)

Critical response

DVD talk:Jimmy Connors is a hot-shot drummer for his desultory high school band, with his "pal" Mary Holden a singer who dreams of snagging Jimmy for her own. When Jimmy learns that the band is in debt, he suggests to the principal, Mr. Judd (Francis Pierlot) that they disband the brass band, and create a modern dance orchestra, so they can throw a dance to pay off the debt. When he learns that the famous band leader, Paul Whiteman (himself) is sponsoring a contest in Chicago for the best high school musical group, Jimmy becomes obsessed with going. Unfortunately, he has to come up with the dough to get to Chicago.

Complications arise for Jimmy and Mary when rich, beautiful new student Barbara Frances Morgan (June Preisser) arrives. Jimmy, unable to resist her charms, allows her to buffalo him into going to the fair with her, hurting Mary's feelings. An idea to put on a show for the local Elks seems like the best way to raise the money to go to Chicago, but they're still short - which a loan from Paul Whiteman (in a meeting arranged by Barbara's father) helps eliminate. However, Jimmy and Mary decide to give the money up so that Willie (William Tracy), the young kid who has a crush on Mary, can get his badly broken and infected arm fixed - an arm he injured when performing in Jimmy's turn-of-the-century morality play. Will the band make it to Chicago, and win the Paul Whiteman talent contest, and will Mary and Jimmy stay together?

Much, much too long (and evidently, it was trimmed quite a bit before its final running time of two hours), Strike Up the Band eliminates much of the "realistic" grounding (if you will) of the Babes in Arms story, and ups the fantasy elements. Drama is strictly relegated to Mickey and Judy's romance (certainly canny considering they were bona fide movie idols at this point), and to Mickey's subplot with his mother, and her wish (and his dead father's wish) for him to become a doctor. Containing one of those quintessential, heartbreaking L.B. Mayer "mother and son" scenes that the mogul was found of, Jimmy tries to convince her that making music is just as valuable as being a doctor. She doesn't buy it, and guilts him into acquiescing, but through his defeat, she sees he really believes in becoming a musician, and gives her blessing. I know a scene like this plays like corn today, but I would imagine there are still quite a few kids who act out scenes like this even today; it's an inherently honest moment, made schmaltzy by the "M-G-M treatment," but certainly one that audiences at the time appreciated.

Mickey and Judy's romance dynamics are lifted right out of Babes in Arms, with Judy coming up short against a more glamorous, not to mention richer, blonde honey. And in keeping with tradition, Mickey has to be a jerk and break Judy's heart (as well as almost let down all of the kids by accepting a job to drum professionally in Chicago) before he can redeem himself in her eyes. Sure, the mechanics of this love triangle are patently phony (Barbara's father comes through with the money even though Mickey hasn't any intention of dating her?), but the notion that a young teen, faced with life-changing choices - and coming off as largely self-centered in the bargain until his admittedly arbitrary redemption - didn't seem all that inaccurate to me.

Of course, all of this is just window dressing in between the songs (and at times quite fanciful window dressing, including an altruistic Paul Whiteman throwing out fifty bucks to unknown stranger Jimmy), and several production numbers are standouts here, including the fantastic Do the La Conga. Filmed in a frenzied yet controlled fashion by director Busby Berkeley's peripatetic camera, it's a rather startling look at American youth almost preternaturally healthy and happy (and free of war, unlike many other parts of the world at this time). Yet by the grand finale, war is obviously on everyone's mind, with Mickey in uniform and the Stars and Stripes waving. But like any coach will tell you, to be a winner you've got to feel like a winner, and the overwhelming effect of Strike Up the Band's finale is to reassure the audience that America has absolutely nothing to fear when war inevitably reaches our shores. Mickey and Judy, smiling triumphantly as they march along the white steps, foster an unassailable image of American health, wealth, and can-do spirit. Of course the reality of WWII for millions of boys and girls like Mickey and Judy was quite different, but again, Mayer wasn't selling documentaries. This is American salesmanship at its most uplifting and technically proficient; no wonder there were widespread reports of cheering in movie theatres during this finale."

Daily Variety:

"While all the young principals do themselves proud, Garland particularly achieves rank as one of the screen's great personalities. Here she is for the first time in the full bloom and charm which is beyond childhood, as versatile in acting as she is excellent in song - a striking figure and a most oomphy one in the wild abandon of the La Conga."

Movie and Radio Guide, 1940:

"The La Conga danced by Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland in Strike Up the Band is nothing less than sensational. For that reason, Movie and Radio Guide hereby christens the number 'The Roogaronga.' This title is a combination of the first three letters of Mickey's and Judy's last names, to which has been added the identifying dance classification."

Variety, September 18, 1940:

"Strike Up the Band is Metro's successor to 'Babes in Arms,' with Mickey Rooney, assisted by major trouping on the part of Judy Garland ... Picture is overall smacko entertainment ... and Mickey Rooney teamed with Judy Garland is a wealth of effective entertainment."

International versions

The film is known by a variety of dffreent names all around the world, including Armonías de juventud in Spain, En avant la musique in Belgium (dubbed version) (French title), Heiße Rhythmen in Chicago in Germany, Me jazzikuninkaat in Finland, Musica indiavolata in Italy, Vi jazzkonger in Denmark and Vi jazzkungar in Sweden.

External links

• A scene from Strike Up the Band
• Information at TV Guide
• Information at Soundtrack Collector
• Information at Yahoo
• Answers.com
• Review at The New York Times
• Spout.com
• DVDbeaver.com
• Review at DVDtalk