I like Van Johnson. I liked Judy Garland. I liked MGM musicals. But for me, this film just doesn't click, and I think it comes down to two factors. First, I just didn't feel that Johnson and Garland had any chemistry between them, and as a result, the love affair just seems illogical. Second, I wasn't particularly impressed by the songs in this musical. The title song is a traditional favorite, and certainly nothing new. I did like "Meet me Tonight In Dreamland", but it wasn't outstanding. And while I won't hold it against the film, it seems odd that the film is called "In the Good Old Summertime" when almost all the action takes place around Christmas.
Go figure.
The rest of the cast was decent. S. Z. Sakall played himself. Spring Byington was as nurturing as ever. It was nice to see Buster Keaton in a prominent supporting role.
The period sets and such are really nice. And the film has a nice nostalgic feeling to it. But I don't see this as one of the great MGM musicals. Not bad, but certainly not great.
The rest of the cast was decent. S. Z. Sakall played himself. Spring Byington was as nurturing as ever. It was nice to see Buster Keaton in a prominent supporting role.
The period sets and such are really nice. And the film has a nice nostalgic feeling to it. But I don't see this as one of the great MGM musicals. Not bad, but certainly not great.