LITTLE NELLIE KELLY

Little Nellie Kelly
MGM, 1940, B/W, 100 minutes, ***½
Released November, 1940

Judy plays a dual role in this film loosely based on the George M. Cohan stage play. Nellie (Garland), a young Irish girl, marries Jerry Kelly (Murphy) against the wishes of her stubborn father (Winninger), who vows to never speak to Kelly again. The three move to America, and Nellie tries hard to get Winninger to accept his new son-in-law. But Nellie dies in childbirth, and Winninger and Murphy must raise Little Nellie alone, though they don't see eye to eye on child rearing.

Judy then plays Little Nellie as an adult, a beautiful and sweet young lady who is still trying to get her grandfather to accept her father. Judy and McPhail sing "It's a Great Day for the Irish," and Judy sings "Singin' in the Rain."

Produced by: Arthur Freed
Directed by: Norman Taurog
Screen Play by: Jack McGowan
Based upon the Musical Comedy Written, Composed and Produced by George M. Cohan
Musical Program: "Nellie Kelly I Love You" (by) George M. Cohan, "Singin' in the Rain" (by) Arthur Freed and Nacio Herb Brown
Musical Adaptation: Roger Edens
Musical Direction: Georgie Stoll
Art Director: Cedric Gibbons
Associate: Harry McAfee
Set Decorations: Edwin B. Willis
Women's Costumes by: Dolly Tree
Men's Costumes by: Gile Steele
Make-Up Created by: Jack Dawn
Recording Director: Douglas Shearer
Director of Photography: Ray June
Film Editor: Fredrick Y. Smith

Cast: Judy Garland [Nellie Kelly / Little Nellie Kelly], George Murphy [Jerry Kelly], Charles Winninger [Michael Noonan], Douglas McPhail [Dennis Fogarty], Arthur Shields [Timothy Fogarty], Rita Page [Mary Fogarty], Forrester Harvey [Moriarity], James Burke [Sergeant McGowan], George Watts [Keevan], Additional Cast: Almira Sessions [Nanny]

Musical Program: [0:00] Overture (played by Orchestra behind titles); [0:09] A Pretty Girl Milking Her Cow (ballad version sung by Judy Garland); [0:42] Nellie Is a Darlin' (excerpt sung by Charles Winninger); [0:46] It's a Great Day for the Irish (sung by Judy Garland, Doug McPhail and Chorus); [0:51] Happy Birthday to You (sung by telegram delivery boys); [0:56] A Pretty Girl Milking Her Cow (ballad version and swing version sung by Judy Garland); [1:19] Singin' in the Rain (sung by Judy Garland); [1:30] Nellie Kelly, I Love You (sung and danced by Doug McPhail, Judy Garland, George Murphy and Mens Chorus); [1:37] Nellie Kelly, I Love You (excerpt sung by Doug McPhail, George Murphy, Judy Garland and Charles Winninger)