JLRMovieReviews "Strike Up the Band" is another teaming of Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland who are of course put in the position of putting on a show to save a band, a school program for children, a school from closing, etc. You name it. It could be any of those things. Of all the movie musicals that were made in their heyday, these were the most bizarre, meaning while enjoyable and with good music still somewhat beyond belief. They always seemed to defy the odds, getting what they want, albeit with some obstacles along the way. This outing though is not quite as good as others, due to some of the supporting actors' not so subtle acting. Less is more is not an adage used here. In fact, there's nothing subtle here. Ann Shoemaker does give good support as his mother, with a nice speech about being a great man. But the length, its feeling of self-importance, and some awkward moments of corniness hurt its effectiveness. It is very enjoyable with great musical numbers for Mickey and Judy; but there's just so much of everything here, making it two whole hours, including a over-the-top tongue-in-cheek save-the-damsel production in the middle of the movie, lasting 15 minutes itself. I'm sure you'll enjoy it for what it is, but afterwards, you'll feel like you had a workout.

tavm When I decided to get this movie from Netflix, I think this was the only one of the Mickey Rooney-Judy Garland musicals I had yet to watch as I remember seeing the others of theirs years ago. Yes, he's a musician and she's a singer. Yes, she's not initially his girlfriend and he gets distracted by another girl beforehand. Yes, Busby Berkeley is the one in charge. And, yes, it's corny but still very entertaining all these years later. I loved that George Pal-Puppetoon sequence involving fruit playing instruments (you really have to see this one to believe it!). I loved the "Do the La Conga" number Mickey & Judy do. I loved seeing Rooney playing the drums. I loved Ms. Garland singing of longing for love. I loved seeing Paul Whiteman and his band performing. In fact, I loved nearly everything this movie had to offer even that melodramatic spoof that this movie really didn't need. So on that note, Strike Up the Band gets a high recommendation from me.

stimpy25 By Far MY FAVORITE MR movie that he's done in his Career surpassing "The Black Stallion which is an OK film i think. NOT GREAT but an OKfilm. but as for MR other than this film "Mad World" & "Boys Town" this is my Favorite Rooney Film! & As Another Reader has said this IS JG & MR BEST Film BY FAR & i think it has the BEST Soundtrack as well. & The BEST ENDING I LOVE seeing Mickey playing the Drums, i wish THAT he would have done it MORE often than in this film & in (1951)'s B-Movie "The Strip" which isn't a bad movie in itself either. A Great Film & one can see Why MR was at this time the #1 attraction in the world surpassing Even The Great "Clark Gable"! :) among other actors & actress's of that era. & i can't wait till MR's NEW movie that he's doing with Dick Van Dyke to come out. the two haven't done a film since (1969)'s "The Comic" WHICH i have yet to see for myself either. :( BUT IF one wants to start with a MR movie & becoming a fan of his early work or maybe even his later work such as (1981)'s (TVM) "Bill" than They Should start with this one IF they want to start with his Early work. My Rate of this WONDERFUL FILM 10/10

B&W-2 I can't help it, I love Mickey and Judy, and this is their best film together. It has fun songs ("Our Love Affair" and "Do the La Conga" especially), good Busby Berkeley productions (both the aforementioned, especially the fruit-as-orchestra dream sequence!), but more importantly, it perfectly evokes the ideal small middle-American town, complete with understanding mothers and principals, swell fellas and gals, and a comforting everything's going to be just fine feeling. I can't help yearning for this never-never land of rebellious but polite youths and understanding old-timers!