{"product_id":"cmon-get-happy-the-making-of-summer-stock-9781496838391","title":"C'Mon, Get Happy: The Making of Summer Stock","description":"In their third and final screen teaming, Judy Garland and Gene Kelly starred together in the MGM musical \u003ci\u003eSummer Stock\u003c\/i\u003e. Despite its riveting production history, charismatic lead actors, and classic musical moments, the movie has not received the same attention as other musicals from MGM's storied dream factory. In \u003ci\u003eC'mon, Get Happy: The Making of \"Summer Stock,\"\u003c\/i\u003e authors David Fantle and Tom Johnson present a comprehensive study of this 1950 motion picture, from start to finish and after its release. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eThe production coincided at a critical point in the careers of Kelly and an emotionally spent Garland. Kelly, who starred in \u003ci\u003eAn American in Paris \u003c\/i\u003ejust one year later, was at the peak of his abilities. On the other hand, \u003ci\u003eSummer Stock \u003c\/i\u003ewas Garland's final film at MGM, and she gamely completed it despite her own personal struggles. \u003ci\u003eSummer Stock\u003c\/i\u003e includes Kelly's favorite solo dance routine and Garland's signature number \"Get Happy.\" \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eThe authors discuss in rich detail the contributions of the cast (which included Gloria DeHaven, Eddie Bracken, Phil Silvers, and Marjorie Main); the director (Charles Walters); the producer (Joe Pasternak); the script writers (George Wells and Sy Gomberg); the songwriters (which included Harry Warren and Mack Gordon); and top MGM executives (Louis B. Mayer and Dore Schary). The volume features extensive interviews, conducted by the authors, with Kelly, Walters, Warren, and others, who shared their recollections of making the movie. Deeply researched, \u003ci\u003eC'mon, Get Happy \u003c\/i\u003ereveals the studio system at work during Hollywood's Golden Era. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eAdditionally, the authors have written a special section called \"Taking Stock\" that buttonholes numerous contemporary dancers, singers, choreographers, musicians, and even Garland impersonators for their take on \u003ci\u003eSummer Stock\u003c\/i\u003e, its stars, and any enduring legacy they think the film might have. Artists from Mikhail Baryshnikov, Ben Vereen, and Tommy Tune to Garland's and Kelly's daughters, Lorna Luft and Kerry Kelly Novick, respectively, offer their unique perspective on the film and its stars.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eDavid Fantle\u003c\/b\u003e, in collaboration with Tom Johnson, has been interviewing, writing, and speaking about Hollywood's Golden Age stars for forty-five years. Fantle is adjunct professor of film at Marquette University. \u003cb\u003eTom Johnson\u003c\/b\u003e is former senior editor at Netflix and has written movie reviews and features for E! Online, Moviefone, and \u003ci\u003ePeople\u003c\/i\u003e magazine, among other publications. His entertainment writing has been recognized with a Minnesota Newspaper Association achievement award and a National Hearst Foundation award for news writing. Their previous title \u003ci\u003eHollywood Heyday: 75 Candid Interviews with Golden Age Legends\u003c\/i\u003e was the recipient of several prestigious book awards.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"University Press of Mississippi","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50613524332818,"sku":"9781496838391","price":25.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_d744690c-6135-42a9-818a-54139a2cfd16.jpg?v=1732405931","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/cmon-get-happy-the-making-of-summer-stock-9781496838391","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}