Strike Up the Band

An aspiring drummer tries to enter his high school band into a contest for youngsters held by Paul Whiteman. He funds the trip for the audition by putting together a dance orchestra for the school dance and putting on a melodrama for the local Elks Society.

Judy Garland plays Mary Holden, a more sophisticated and brash version of her former character Patsy Barton (Babes in Arms). Jimmy Connors, the band leader and drummer played by Mickey Rooney, brushes his pal Mary aside in the face of ambition and a giggly blond glamour girl (June Pressier).

Strike Up the Band won an Academy Award for best sound recording. "Our Love Affair" was nominated for Best Song and the score was also nominated.

Garland Performances

Our Love Affair
Music and lyrics by Roger Edens and Arthur Freed
Judy Garland with Mickey Rooney

La Conga
Music and lyrics by Roger Edens
Judy Garland with Mickey Rooney and the MGM Studio Chorus

Nobody
Music and lyrics by Roger Edens
Judy Garland

Nell of New Rochelle
Orchestrated by Conrad Salinger and arranged by Roger Edens
Judy Garland with Mickey Rooney, June Preisser, William Tracy, Larry Nunn, Margaret Early and the MGM Studio Chorus

Drummer Boy
Music and lyrics by Roger Edens
Judy Garland with Six Hits and a Miss and the MGM Studio Orchestra with Mickey Rooney on drums and vibraphone

Reviews

-- to be completed --

Fast Facts

  • Judy turned 18 during filming.
  • Vincente Minnelli came up with the concept for "Our Love Affair."

Lines to Remember

Mary: Why don't you wait and see what Mr. Judd says about you organizing this school band and if he says it's alright and the first school dance is a big success and you know that's what you want to do--go to her and tell her then. She'll understand, because she'll realize that your ambition is strong and sincere. Oh, mothers are like that, Jimmy.
Jimmy: I never thought about it that way before, but you're right, Mary and I'll do it. Oh, you know you're so wonderful. It's a great confort to know you have someone you can tell all your troubles to. You're always so wonderful about putting me on the right track.
Mary: Yeah?
Jimmy: Yeah, you know--you're going to make some man a fine wife.
Mary: Yeah?
Jimmy: Yeah, well I'm going to envy the guy that gets you, too.
Mary: Yeah?
Jimmy: And Mary I'll never forget what a great pal you've been.
Mary: Yeah?
Jimmy: Yeah, straight from the shoulder, a real pal.
Mary: Reminds me of a song.
Jimmy: Yeah?
Mary: Oh, what a pal was Mary.
Jimmy: Yeah!

Jimmy: Something's been troubling me lately.
Mary: What?
Jimmy: Do you think our love affair has enough punch in it?
Mary: Hmm?
Jimmy: Our Love Affair
Mary: Well, now that you mentioned it, Jimmy--
Jimmy: Because I've got a new arrangement on it.
Mary: Oh.
Jimmy: It's a dynamite arrangement--just made to order for you.

Mary: Jimmy, what is it?
Jimmy: What?
Mary: You know, what you were going to say in there--the only thing you needed to make it all perfect.
Jimmy: Oh, a xylophone.

Mary: Annie, you oughta strike oil any minute.

Mary: There's something I've wanted to ask you for an awful long time.
Willie: Yes?
Mary: Whenever I've had the opportunity, I've never had the courage. Willie: Whenever I've had the courage, I've never had the opportunity. Now I've got both.
Mary: Willie, what is it?
Willie: Will you marry me?
Mary: Huh?
Willie: I don't expect you to give me an answer right away.
Mary: Well, why Willie--
Willie: It isn't as if I just meant you. I remember the first day I met you. You were wearing gym bloomers. I was just getting out of Julius Caesar and you were laughing.
Mary: Oh, Willie--you're the cutest--
Willie: Oh, I know I'm not the best looking guy in town, but I'll always love you and I'll be true to you and I won't go out with other girls.
Mary: That's the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me in my whole life. I'm very grateful, but I'm much too young to think of getting married.
Willie: Of course, I'm in no particular hurry.
Mary: Wille, how old are you?
Willie: 13 going on 14--
Mary: Willie, your mother just phoned. She wants you to go to bed.

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