"Little Nellie Kelly" is a huge burst of Irish pride, filmed in glorious black and white. Judy Garland plays the double role of Nellie Kelly Sr. and Nellie Kelly Jr. Nelly Kelly and her husband, whom she married against her father's wishes, decide to move to America, despite their deep love for Ireland. Nellie's father follows them over, though he hardly says a word to Jerry (the husband), he lives off of them. Not long after settling in New York, Nelly has a child but dies soon after the labor. After a tear jerking performance, we see a charming montage of the baby Nellie growing up into a pretty seventeen year old.
Though husband and father never stop their fighting, with both Nellies acting as referee, the family is fine until Nellie becomes interested in boys. The incidents that take place after that are mostly centered around getting the grandpa to grow up and forget his stubborness.
This was Judy's first true "grown-up" role -- she plays it to the hilt, giving two incredibly sweet renditions of an old Irish folk song, "A Pretty Girl Milking her Cow," once as the original Nellie, and again as the young Nellie -- with lots of Garland swing. There are so many fantastic performances here.
It's an absolutely delightful film -- a real joy to see young Judy in what most consider her prime. The rest of the cast, despite a few sketchy versions of Irish accents, positively shines. The plot itself is better than most musicals -- much thought is given to the immigrant experience -- more than you'd expect from a musical.
Though the movie is out-of-print, it's well worth a rental -- happy hunting!
Though husband and father never stop their fighting, with both Nellies acting as referee, the family is fine until Nellie becomes interested in boys. The incidents that take place after that are mostly centered around getting the grandpa to grow up and forget his stubborness.
This was Judy's first true "grown-up" role -- she plays it to the hilt, giving two incredibly sweet renditions of an old Irish folk song, "A Pretty Girl Milking her Cow," once as the original Nellie, and again as the young Nellie -- with lots of Garland swing. There are so many fantastic performances here.
It's an absolutely delightful film -- a real joy to see young Judy in what most consider her prime. The rest of the cast, despite a few sketchy versions of Irish accents, positively shines. The plot itself is better than most musicals -- much thought is given to the immigrant experience -- more than you'd expect from a musical.
Though the movie is out-of-print, it's well worth a rental -- happy hunting!