The Dream Factory
The Dream Factory is a podcast about the sometimes magical, sometimes terrifying world of MGM studios during Hollywood's golden age. Join host Derek Lajeunesse and fellow movie fans as they reawaken the ghosts of MGM, deep diving into people and the films that defined an era of moviemaking.
The Dream Factory
The Harvey Girls - Pre-Production (Part 1)
Welcome to the first episode of our breakdown of the 1946 film The Harvey Girls. Starring our favourite gal Judy Garland, this Technicolor fun-fest has everything we love about MGM musicals; great songs, colourful settings and wonderful performers. Set in the 1890s American west, a group of wholesome waitresses attempt to “settle” a wild frontier town with just the help of some steak, coffee and some singing and dancing!
Conor Grant from The Garland Gab joins me for our initial thoughts and pre-production history of The Harvey Girls. We delve into how the movie ended up at MGM and discuss the screenwriters (there were 6 in the end!) who brought it to the screen.
Join us as we try to shed some light on an underrated MGM musical, from the Oscar-winning song “On the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe” to Judy’s red lipstick to Angela Lansbury’s pompadour…all board!
Thanks for listening!
Derek
Instagram: @thedreamfactorypod