In "Presenting Lily Mars," Judy Garland is an aspiring actress and singer, who is trying to get an audition with Van Heflin. He's a successful Broadway producer and writer who hails from her home town. When he goes home to visit mom, played by Fay Bainter, who's a friend of Judy's, they both try to set it up for Van Heflin to see what she can do. But he has always insisted on not seeing another eager amateur with no talent. Even for his own mother, no more auditions. In fact, the whole first half of the movie is about her trying to get noticed, even getting one of her younger sisters in on the act of playacting. Her mother, played by Spring Byington, encourages her. I had reviewed this before a couple of years back, when I gave the movie a rougher review, but upon seeing again, I enjoyed it more. As usual Judy is in great voice and the film has an offbeat sense of humor with a brother of hers collecting doorknobs. But what will happen? This movie may be predictable but it makes up for it by being very pleasant and having good supporting actors, and a madcap pace keeps the viewers' interest. "Lily Mars" is another good vehicle for Judy Garland, showcasing her versatility in comedic acting along with some very upbeat songs. Not much is mentioned about the movies she made in this time period between "The Wizard of Oz" and her more well-known MGM musicals like "Easter Parade" and "The Harvey Girls;" but watch "Presenting Lily Mars" and see just how great Judy Garland was whenever she was on screen, even in lesser-known films. She always lit up the screen.
Review of Presenting Lily Mars
