In the Good Old Summertime

1949
Approved
1h 42m

IMDb RATING

7.1/10

4.4K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

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Holiday Romance Romantic Comedy Comedy Musical Romance

In turn-of-the century America, Andrew and Veronica are co-workers in a music shop who dislike one another during business hours but unwittingly carry on an anonymous romance through the mai... Read allIn turn-of-the century America, Andrew and Veronica are co-workers in a music shop who dislike one another during business hours but unwittingly carry on an anonymous romance through the mail.In turn-of-the century America, Andrew and Veronica are co-workers in a music shop who dislike one another during business hours but unwittingly carry on an anonymous romance through the mail.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.1/10

4.4K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

2,160

12,154

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 1 nomination total

Otto Oberkugen
(as S.Z. 'Cuddles' Sakall)

Spring Byington

Nellie Burke

Clinton Sundberg

Rudy Hansen

Buster Keaton

Hickey

Marcia Van Dyke

Louise Parkson

Lillian Bronson

Aunt Addie

John Alban

Audience Member
(uncredited)

Bette Arlen

Pretty Girl
(uncredited)

William Bailey

Supper Club Patron
(uncredited)

Mary Bayless

Supper Club Patron
(uncredited)

Edward Biby

Judge
(uncredited)

George Boyce

Male Quartette Member
(uncredited)

Chester Clute

Sheet Music Customer
(uncredited)

Jack Deery

Supper Club Patron
(uncredited)

Carli Elinor

Band Leader
(uncredited)

Antonio Filauri

Italian Proprietor
(uncredited)

Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
Buster Keaton was working as a gag writer at MGM when this movie was made. The filmmakers approached him to devise a way for a violin to get broken that would be both comic and plausible. Keaton came up with an appropriate fall, and the filmmakers then realized he was the only one who would be able to execute it properly, so they cast him in the film. Keaton also devised the sequence in which Van Johnson inadvertently wrecks Judy Garland's hat, and coached Johnson intensively in how to perform the scene. This was the first MGM film Keaton appeared in since being fired from the studio in 1933.

Goofs
When Andy and Veronica collide on the post office steps, her hat is completely knocked off her head and hanging just below her chin, but in the immediate closeup, it is on top of her head.

Quotes
Veronica Fisher: I wish you could read his letters, then you could find out that he has such a lofty point of view.
Andrew Delby Larkin: [sitting close and speaking in a low voice] Lofty?
Veronica Fisher: [starts to scoot away] And now to find out he's so materialistic.
Andrew Delby Larkin: [putting his arm around her shoulders and drawing her close again] Materialistic too? I'm sorry. I hate to think I've spoiled your Christmas.
Veronica Fisher: Well, you haven't spoiled it. I suppose I should be thanking you.
Andrew Delby Larkin: [whispering] Oh, no, you don't have to do that, but do you know what I wish you would do? I wish you'd send this Newspickle about his business and concentrate on me instead.
Veronica Fisher: [turing her back to him] Well, I can't; you already have someone.
Andrew Delby Larkin: [kissing her neck] Oh, no, not yet; no.
Veronica Fisher: [stammering] Now wait a minute; this is all wrong.
Andrew Delby Larkin: After all, it is Christmas.
Veronica Fisher: I know, but Mr. Larkin...
Andrew Delby Larkin: [pulling her close] Oh, Veronica, I love you so! Please open box 2-37 and take me out of my envelope.
Veronica Fisher: [turns to face] Box tuh... box 2-3-7!
[turns to look into Andrew's face]
Andrew Delby Larkin: Dear friend.
Veronica Fisher: You?
Andrew Delby Larkin: Yes.
[nodding head; Veronica audibly exhales]
Andrew Delby Larkin: Are you disappointed?
[last lines]
Veronica Fisher: Psychologically, I'm very confused, but personally I feel just wonderful.
[they kiss]

Alternate versions
There is an Italian edition of this film on DVD (Extra Movie with "EASTER PARADE"), re-edited with the contribution of film historian Riccardo Cusin. This version is also available for streaming on some platforms.

Connections
Featured in Some of the Best: Twenty-Five Years of Motion Picture Leadership (1949)

Soundtracks
In the Good Old Summertime
Music by George Evans
Lyrics by Ren Shields
Played during the opening credits and often throughout the picture
Sung by Spring Byington, Van Johnson (uncredited), S.Z. Sakall (uncredited) and Buster Keaton (uncredited)

User reviews68

Review

Featured review

Conventional, But Beautifully Done

This story of two co-workers who loathe each other--and then perversely fall in love when they correspond anonymously through a lonelyhearts club--has been filmed three times, first in the 1930s as THE SHOP AROUND THE CORNER with stars James Stewart and Margaret Sullivan and most recently in the 1990s as YOU'VE GOT MAIL with stars Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. This 1940s musical version, which sets the story in an early 1900s Chicago music shop, stars Judy Garland and Van Johnson.

Although the score is not in the least memorable, Garland is in fine voice, and although they lack any real chemistry she and Van Johnson play well together. More appealing is a romantic subplot concerning shop owner S.Z. Sakall and his long time ladyfriend Spring Byington, who are extremely charming in their roles and quite a bit of fun to watch. Fans of Buster Keaton will also enjoy seeing him in a small cameo role, and film buffs will be delighted to see Garland's daughter Liza Minnelli make her film debut in the movie's closing moments.

Although there is a great deal to enjoy here, the material is highly conventional, and the project would have benefited from a more gifted directorial vision. A quality product with remarkable stars--don't expect too much and you'll enjoy it quite a bit.

Gary F. Taylor, aka GFT, Amazon Reviewer