Classic Movies - Fabulous Films of 1939: Babes in Arms

Fabulous Film of 1939

as Mickey Moran

as Patsy Barton

Today, let’s talk Classic Movie Musical-Babes in Arms! Come on kids, let’s put on a show! That’s the usual exclamation of Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland in the string of MGM musicals that teamed them up together. This terrific twosome, though only teenagers, were box-office magic and became two of MGM’s most popular stars in the late 30s and early 40s. Under Busby Berkeley’s direction, Mickey and Judy created a number of successful and rousing musicals, but none better than the 1939 extravaganza, Babes in Arms. Along with The Wizard of Oz, Babes in Arms brought young Judy Garland a miniature “Oscar” for best juvenile performances of the year. Mickey Rooney was also nominated for Best Actor in this film, but lost the award to Robert Donat in Goodbye, Mr. Chips.

As children of former Vaudeville performers, Mickey Moran (Rooney), his girlfriend Patsy Barton (Garland), and their friends want to go on the road with their parents who are trying to make a “come-back”. Refusing their children’s help, the parents insist they remain at home and go to school. While the parents are away, Mickey “rouses the troops” in the exciting “Babes in Arms” musical number and cooks up a plan to produce a show to help make money for their struggling parents whose dream of a new Vaudeville is sadly falling flat.

With the help of Patsy, his sister Molly (Betty Jaynes), her boyfriend Don (Douglas McPhail), and the talents of all the neighborhood kids, Mickey writes, produces, directs, and stars in a whopper of a backyard musical. His financial backing, unfortunately, comes from former child-star Baby Rosalie Essex (June Preisser). She insists on starring in the production, forcing Mickey to replace Patsy with her. Patsy is terribly hurt and goes to visit her mother who is also on the Vaudeville tour. Her mother makes her understand how wrong it was to leave when the show (and Mickey) needed her most. Patsy, good trooper that she is, returns to do what she can to help Mickey. Patsy ends up starring in the show after all when Baby Rosalie’s father appears, with plans of his own for her career, and drags her away. The show goes on and is doing well until a storm blows in and ruins the finale.

What will be the fate of Mickey and the gang? Will the show bring the recognition Mickey and the kids deserve? Will they be able to help their parents? Will their parents be proud of them? You will just have to watch the film to find out the answers to these questions.

Babes in Arms includes memorable songs “Good Mornin'," “Where or When”, “I Cried for You”, “I’m Just Wild about Harry”, and “God’s Country”. Judy Garland’s singing is marvelous, Mickey Rooney’s impressions of Lionel Barrymore and Clark Gable are amusing, and June Preisser’s gymnastics are impressive. The supporting cast of Charles Winninger (as Mickey’s dad), Guy Kibbee, and Margaret Hamilton help make Babes in Arms another Fabulous Film of 1939.

**Trivia Question for Today: Babes in Arms was originally a Rodgers and Hart Broadway musical, although most of the original songs were replaced in the film version. Ironically, in what MGM musical biopic does Mickey Rooney portray composer Lorenz Hart?

Trivia Answer for Previous Post: Young Mr. Lincoln was released first on May 30, 1939. Drums along the Mohawk was not released until November 3, 1939.