The plot: Judy is the second-oldest daughter in a large, boisterous family that lives in, of course, St. Louis, and we follow their adventures in the year leading up to the 1904 World's Fair. The movie doesn't actually have a plot (okay, for maybe 20 minutes the family has to decide if they'll move away to New York), but it's so sweet and fun and colorful that you won't really notice.
Why see it: Judy sings two songs that became classics: "The Trolley Song" and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas".
Behind the scenes: Judy held a lifelong belief that she was fat and ugly, but when she saw this movie, even she had to admit that she looked pretty.
The Clock, 1945
The plot: Judy is a New York single gal who meets a boy-next-door soldier (Robert Walker) who is visiting the city on two-day leave. They fall in love, lose each other, find each other, and make a mad dash to get married, all within 48 hours.
Why see it: This is one of the only non-musical roles Judy ever had, and she's good. It's truly the nicest, sweetest, cutest, yet tiny-bit-saddest little movie you'll ever see.
Behind the scenes: Judy's drug addiction caused trouble on other films, but Robert Walker's alcoholism was the problem on this one. Judy would drag him out of bars each night so he could film in the morning.
Easter Parade, 1948
The plot: Fred Astaire is half of a successful dance team until his witchy partner dumps him to go solo. He has a few drinks, bets that he can turn any girl into a great dancer, and picks Judy's klutzy character out of a chorus line. After a few lessons with Fred, she's dancing fabulously and falling in love with him. It's the same basic plot as Dirty Dancing, without any dirtiness.
Why see it: It's the only movie Judy made with Fred Astaire, and they're great. Oh, I could write a sonnet.
Behind the scenes: Vincente Minnelli, Judy's husband at the time, was originally set to direct, but the last time they'd worked together (on The Pirate) had been a disaster. At the urging of her psychiatrist, Judy had him replaced.
A Star is Born, 1954
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