Judy Garland stars as 'Pinkie' Wingate, a teenager trying to steer her mother Dottie (Mary Astor) toward happiness with the help of 'Buzz' Mitchell (Freddie Bartholomew). Along the way they deal with brother Billie's (Scotty Beckett) antics, and shop for a husband in the form of Walter Pidgeon and Alan Hale in order to avoid Gene Lockhart's overtures. Freddie Bartholomew as Buzz offers focus for Judy's 'Pinkie', but other viewers may find it a bit much that he attempts to advise Dottie about her affairs. Scotty Beckett as Billy is as much annoying as he is attention-getting. Mary Astor and Walter Pidgeon create some measure of brief magic while on screen together. Charley Grapewin, who would soon play Uncle Henry in The Wizard Of Oz, plays Uncle Joe here. Judy sings her signature tune Zing! Went The Strings Of My Heart, The Bumpy Road To Love, and Ten Pins In The Sky. The film is a fast-moving, escapist, comedy drama with a family viewing perspective. **1/2 of 4 stars.
Review of Listen, Darling
