A special note of thanks
to Eric Hemphill for providing the bulk of material for these pages. Thanks
Eric!!!
In November of 1942, 20-year-old
Judy Garland began pre-production work on Presenting
Lily Mars (1943), a slight "little film"
that, although not well known to the general public as
one of Judy Garland's big hits, is notable for several
reasons:
1) Lily Mars was a major continuation in Judy's
successful transition to
adult roles from adolescent roles.
2) Lily Mars was Judy's first teaming with producer
Joe Pasternak and with future director Charles Walters.
3) Lily Mars was the first time that MGM would
give Judy the "glamour
treatment".
4) It's a fun, infectious film!
Based on a novel by Booth Tarkington, Presenting Lily
Mars is the story of stage-struck small-town girl
Lily Mars. When Broadway producer (and local boy) John
Thornway (Van Heflin) comes to town to visit family and
also show off his current hit, Lily sees this as her big
chance to impress him with her talent. She doesn't succeed.
He thinks she's a pest. Lily then decides to follow him
to New York and sneaks into his theater during rehearsals
for his new show. John finally begins to see something
in Lily, and when the diva of his show, Isobel Rekay (played
by Marta Eggerth) becomes jealous and walks out, John turns
to Lily to quickly learn the show for the opening. In an
interesting twist from the normal "star walks out, unknown becomes
star" scenario, Isobel comes back just as John realizes
that this role is all wrong for Lily. Ever the trouper,
Lily agrees to taking back her two-line walk-on role, realizing
that her time as a star will come. The film ends with Lily's
big debut as the star of her own show.
Judy
began work on Presenting Lily Mars while finishing
the filming of For Me And My Gal (1942) during
the fall of 1942. She would also record and film her guest
spot in Thousands Cheer (1943) singing "The
Joint Is Really Jumpin' Down At Carnegie Hall". Lily
Mars had originally been slated as a drama to star
Lana Turner. However, "Smart Ol' Joe Pasternak"
(as Esther Williams would later call him) had just come
to MGM from producing a successful series of musicals at
Universal Studios starring Deanna Durbin (Judy's chief "rival"
during the early days at MGM), and he saw the story as
a chance to finally work with Judy. In fact, Presenting
Lily Mars is just the kind of film one would expect
Deanna Durbin to star in.
Pasternak loved working with Judy Garland. Back in 1937
Deanna Durbin shot to stardom with Three Smart Girls,
a Pasternak production originally meant for Judy as the
star. When MGM wouldn't loan Judy to Universal Studios,
Deanna got the part. Now, 6 years later, Pasternak got
his chance. Presenting Lily Mars would be the
beginning of a long career at MGM for Pasternak. His films
would only be rivaled by the super-musicals of "The Freed Unit",
also at MGM. Both Pasternak and Freed would become the two
preeminent producers on the MGM Lot. So much so that years
later, contract dancer Dorothy Raye would remark "...and
we just shuffled between the two." Pasternak come
to Judy's aid several years later, as she was having personal
and professional difficulties, and would help restore her
confidence, with In The Good Old Summertime (1949)
and Summer Stock (1950 - Judy's last MGM film).
Filming Lily Mars went
along without any problems. Judy was happy and healthy,
and at a perfect weight, having gained back some of the
weight she had lost during For
Me And My Gal. Filming was completed by November 3,
1942, when Judy had a sitting in the MGM portrait studio.
Of note this time is how incredibly beautiful Judy is during
this session. CLICK
HERE for examples.
The only issue anyone had once the film was finished was
the original finale. "Paging Mr. Greenback" was
a topical and appropriately patriotic song, with Judy performing
the number with chorus in front of the "U.S. Capitol
Building" backdrop first used for "Babes In Arms".
Everyone involved at the studio agreed that not only did
the number (as good as it was) fail to sufficiently show
the Lily Mars character as a new Broadway sensation, but
it was also below par for Judy. Judy was now becomming
MGM's biggest female musical star. She was on the fast
track to becoming one of the few child stars to successfully
make the transition to adult stardom. Those around Judy
pointed out that, in its present state, Lily Mars was
a little beneath what audiences had come to expect from
a Judy Garland musical. Judy went to L.B. Mayer, and he
brought in Pasternak and told him to shoot a new finale
in the MGM style.. Pasternak enlisted the help of the burgeoning "Freed
Unit" (so named after producer Arthur Freed). Paternak
felt that the new ending was too "big" for a
little musical such as this. But, he didn't want to let
Judy or the studio down and filmed the ending you see now.
On
February 20, 1943, while in the middle of production on Girl Crazy (1943)
Judy was in rehearsals for the new Lily Mars "big finale".
Musical arranger Roger Edens and crew devised a big 10
minute finale covering all forms of popular music. It would
be edited down to approximately 5 minutes for the final
release. Tommy Dorsey, at the studio filming Girl Crazy with
Mickey and Judy, was employed to accompany Judy in the "Broadway
Rhythm" finale to the finale. As was Charles Walters.
He had just come to the studio from Broadway as a dancer,
but the studio felt he would be better behind the scenes.
He danced with Judy here, and also in Girl Crazy.
He would become one of the studios top musical directors,
including the Garland/Astaire super-hit Easter Parade (1948).
By March 16, 1943, Lily Mars was completed and
released the following month to glowing reviews. Judy had
really blossomed in Lily Mars. For the first time,
the studio presented her in the same glamorous way they
would for Lana Turner or Hedy Lamarr. As with For Me
And My Gal (1942) she had a leading man who was NOT
an adolescent.
The new finale really showcased the new "adult"
Garland, with her hair up and wearing a glamorous dress
(see picture above, left). Judy was at the crest of a "Golden
Period" for her at MGM both professionally and personally.
A period which would reach its peak with Meet Me In
St. Louis (1944), The Clock (1945), and The
Harvey Girls (1946) and culminate with the birth of
her first child in 1947, Liza Minnelli.
In Lily Mars,
Judy is more than just beautiful, she gives one of her
best light comedic performances. Judy is known primarily
as a singer/actress but what most people don't realize
is that she was an exceptional comedienne. MGM would notice
this too. Chronologically, each film she made had more
and more comedy elements added. Judy was a master at "self-deprecating humor" -
as evidenced in films such as In The Good Old Summertime (1949)
and The Pirate (1948). She was this way in her
personal life as well, always being able to see the absurdity
and humor of most situations - and being able to make everyone
laugh.
Lily Mars is vintage MGM: A nice story with talented
stars (Van Heflin would win a Best Supporting Actor Oscar
in 1943 for his performance in the 1942 film Johnny
Eager), talented and dependable supporting players
(Annabelle Logan who played Lily Mars' sister Rosie, would
go on to be the popular jazz singer Annie Ross); and expert
MGM production values all coming together to make an enduring
film for all ages to enjoy. "They Don't Make 'Em Like
They Used To" - but don't you think they should??
Original
book movie tie-in from 1944.
Hard cover on the left, rare soft cover on the
right.
The laser disc version of the film.
1970's
"Soundtrack Album" of
the songs & dialog recorded
directly from the soundtrack.
Original VHS.
The Rhino Records 2 disc set
which contains most of Judy's songs in Lily
Mars - all remastered from the original
MGM recording session masters.
VHS re-release.
Now available on DVD!
American Sheet Music
British Sheet Music
Australian Sheet Music
Click on
each image to see larger version (opens a
pop-up window).
On
the left and right sides of the vintage poster
are scans of a "Movies" magazine article
"The Men In Judy's Life" - a behind
the scenes look at the making of Presenting
Lily Mars - April 1943.
(click on images for closer look!)
(Songs that are available on CD are noted with a link)
Is It Love (Or the Gypsy in Me?).....Marta
Eggerth Tom, Tom, the
Piper's Son.....Judy Garland
"Russian Number" (MGM Studio Chorus) Ev'ry Little Movement
(Has a Meaning All Its Own).....Judy Garland and Mary
Kent (dubbing for Connie Gilchrist)
When I Look at You.....Marta Eggerth
When I Look at You.....Marta Eggerth
When You Think of Lovin', Baby, Think of Me.....Bob Crosby
and His Orchestra with The Wilde Twins When I Look at
You.....ballad version, Judy Garland with Bob Crosby and
His Orchestra)
Caro Mona (When I Look at You).....comedy version, Judy Garland
with Bob Crosby and His Orchestra)
(NOTE: This is only available on the alternate audio tracks
of the MGM/UA laser "Judy Garland The Golden Years At
MGM)
Russian Rhapsody.....Judy Garland
Russian Rhapsody.....Marta Eggerth
Finale: Where There's
Music.....Judy Garland and MGM Studio Chorus St. Louis Blues
(outtake).....Judy Garland and MGM Studio Chorus It's a Long Way
to Tipperary (outtake).....Judy Garland and MGM Studio
Chorus In the Shade of
the Old Apple Tree (outtake).....Judy Garland and MGM
Studio Chorus Don't Sit Under
the Apple Tree (With Anyone Else But Me) (outtake).....Charles
Walters Three O'Clock
in the Morning.....Judy Garland and Chorus Broadway Rhythm
.....Judy Garland, Charles Walters, MGM Studio Chorus and
Tommy Dorsey and Orchestra Paging Mr. Greenback
(outtake).....Judy Garland and MGM Studio Chorus
NOTE: It's interesting that Judy never recorded any
songs from Lily Mars for Decca Records. True "film
soundtrack" records were a few years away, and many stars
like Judy would record "studio versions" of films
from their songs for labels such as Decca Records. These versions
were sometimes almost identical in their presentation as the
versions heard in the films, or they were completely different,
Judy was, of course, on of Decca's top stars, and songs from
her films were quite popular. Decca would release an "album"
of songs from Girl Crazy (1943) which are almost
identical studio versions of the songs in the film. But Lily
Mars was passed over, probably in favor of the more marketable
Gershwin songs from Girl Crazy.
Judy is still working on For
Me And My Gal, and records the following "Finale" retakes
(at the MGM Recording Studio) of "When
Johnny comes Marching Home Again"
and "For Me And My Gal".
Mid to late July 1942
Preproduction work (including wardrobe,
hair & makeup tests and dance rehearsals) continue
for Lily Mars.
07/28/42
Judy records "Tom, Tom, The
Piper's Son" and "Every Little Movement" for
Presenting Lily Mars
at the MGM Recording Studio.
07/29/42
Judy completes filming on For
Me And My Gal.
Aug - Sep 1942
Lily Mars is in production.
09/18/42
Judy records "When I Look At
You"
(both the ballad and comedy versions for Presenting
Lily Mars at the MGM Recording Studio.
10/16/42
Records "Paging Mr. Greenback"
for Presenting Lily Mars
at the MGM Recording Studio.
Early Nov 1942
Production is completed for Presenting
Lily Mars.
11/03/42
Glamour portrait sitting for Lily
Mars. (see the Photo
Gallery)
November 1942 - February 1943
Judy is filming Girl
Crazy as well as (briefly) Thousands
Cheer.
02/20/42 - 03/03/43
Judy is in rehearsals for the new
finale for Presenting Lily Mars.
03/04/43
Judy r ecords "Broadway Rhythm"
for the Lily Mars
new finale. At the MGM Recording Studio.
03/05/43
Judy r ecords "Where There's
Music"
(song medley) for the Lily
Mars
new finale. At the MGM Recording Studio.
"Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, which dotes on young Judy Garland,
is again having her show off her best points ... Miss Garland
is fresh and pretty, she has a perky friendliness that is
completely disarming, and she sings and dances according
to the mood - sometimes raucous jive, sometimes sweet little
ballads that turn out to be quite enchanting. No doubt about
it, Miss Garland is a gifted young lady."
- The New York Times, April 30, 1943
Presenting Lily Mars is a conventional screen version of
73-year-old Booth Tarkington's tale of a stage-struck small-town
girl. This juvenile darling (Judy Garland) gets to Broadway
before you can say Jake Shubert, marries a great producer
(Van Heflin) and is soon seen swaying in black tulle in
a super-sumptuous musical show staged by the lucky fellow.
- Time Magazine
Songs are about equally divided between Judy Garland and
Marta Eggerth, with both putting over respective numbers
in scintillating fashion.
- Variety, April 27, 1943
Judy grows better and better, and this picture registers
a new high in performance and charm. She exhibits a dancing
talent that is delightful in its grace and poise.
- The Motion Picture Herald
Produced by: Joseph Pasternak
Directed by: Norman Taurog
Screenplay by: Richard Connell and Gladys Lehman
(based on the novel by Booth Tarkington)
Songs by: Walter Jurmann, Paul Francis Webster,
E.Y. Harburg, Burton Lane, and Roger Edens
Musical adaptation: Roger Edens
Music direction: Georgie Stoll
Dance direction: Ernst Matray
Photography: Joseph Ruttenberg
Editor: Albert Akst
Art direction: Cedric Gibbons
Filmed: September 1942 - March 1943
Released: April 2, 1943
CAST:
Judy Garland ... Lily Mars
Van Heflin ... John ("Thorny") Thornway
Fay Bainter ... Mrs. Thornway
Richard Carlson ... Owen Vail
Spring Byington ... Mrs. Mars
Mart ra Eggerth ... Isobel Rekay
Connie Gilchrist ... Frankie
Leonid Kinskey ... Leo
Patricia Barker ... Poppy
Janet Chapman ... Violet
Annabelle Logan ... Rosie
Douglas Croft ... Davey
Ray McDonald ... Charlie Potter
Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra ... Themselves
Bob Crosby and His Orchestra ... Themselves
The Wilde Twins ... Themselves
Charles Walters ... Specialty Dancer (Judy's dance
partner in finale)
Joe Yule (Mickey Rooney's real life father) ...
Mike, the stage doorman
Judy
began work on Presenting Lily Mars while finishing
the filming of For Me And My Gal (1942) during
the fall of 1942. She would also record and film her guest
spot in Thousands Cheer (1943) singing "The
Joint Is Really Jumpin' Down At Carnegie Hall". Lily
Mars had originally been slated as a drama to star
Lana Turner. However, "Smart Ol' Joe Pasternak"
(as Esther Williams would later call him) had just come
to MGM from producing a successful series of musicals at
Universal Studios starring Deanna Durbin (Judy's chief "rival"
during the early days at MGM), and he saw the story as
a chance to finally work with Judy. In fact, Presenting
Lily Mars is just the kind of film one would expect
Deanna Durbin to star in.
Filming Lily Mars went
along without any problems. Judy was happy and healthy,
and at a perfect weight, having gained back some of the
weight she had lost during For
Me And My Gal. Filming was completed by November 3,
1942, when Judy had a sitting in the MGM portrait studio.
Of note this time is how incredibly beautiful Judy is during
this session. 
