Foundation to host film screening, discussion
9/19/2023 12AM
The 1950 MGM musical "Summer Stock" stands as a prime example of moviemaking under Hollywood’s Golden Age studio system, as well as a critical career moment for stars Gene Kelly and Judy Garland. Garland is the most recent inductee to the Great American Songbook Foundation’s Songbook Hall of Fame.
Oct. 17 event features authors of new book on classic Garland musical
CARMEL, Ind. – Authors of a new book on the classic Judy Garland musical Summer Stock will join the Great American Songbook Foundation for a public screening and discussion of the film on Oct. 17.
The 1950 MGM feature stands as a prime example of moviemaking under Hollywood’s Golden Age studio system, as well as a critical career moment for stars Gene Kelly and Garland, the latest inductee to the Foundation’s Songbook Hall of Fame.
The film finds Kelly at the top of his game, delivering one of the most famous solo dance performances of his career to the tune of “You Wonderful You.” Garland struggled with personal issues throughout the production, after which MGM terminated her contract. Nevertheless, she mustered her talents – as well as an iconic jacket and fedora costume – to create an indelible performance of the closing song-and-dance number, “Get Happy,” which would become one of her signature tunes.
The inside story of the film’s creation is told in a new book, C'mon, Get Happy: The Making of Summer Stock by film historians David Fantle and Tom Johnson. Set for release Oct. 16, the deeply researched book includes extensive interviews with the cast, crew and writers involved in the production, as well as perspectives from contemporary performers on the film’s enduring legacy.
The Songbook Foundation will screen the movie at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 17, at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts. Lobby doors will open at 5:30 p.m. for book signing by authors Fantle and Johnson, who will give a short introductory presentation at 6:45 p.m. and participate in a Q&A session after the film.
General admission tickets at $10 are available in advance online at TheSongbook.org/SummerStock or by phone at (317) 843-3800. A 50 percent discount is available for students and seniors. Accessible seating for groups is available by reservation at Tickets@TheCenterPresents.org or (317) 843-3800.
The event continues the Songbook Foundation’s celebration of Garland’s centennial year and her Hall of Fame induction. The organization’s Songbook Library & Archives contains artifacts related to the film and other aspects of Garland’s life, with highlights of the collection viewable online at TheSongbook.org/JudyGarland.
About the Great American Songbook Foundation
The mission of the Great American Songbook Foundation, founded in 2007 by five-time Grammy® Award nominee Michael Feinstein, is to inspire and educate by celebrating the timeless standards of pop, jazz, Broadway and Hollywood. Headquartered at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel, Indiana, the Foundation advances this rich legacy by curating physical artifacts of its creators, performers and publishers; operating a multimedia exhibit gallery; overseeing the Songbook Hall of Fame; offering programs for the public and research opportunities for scholars and artists; and providing educational opportunities for student musicians, including the annual Songbook Academy® summer intensive. The Foundation is a Cultural Affiliate of the Los Angeles-based Grammy Museum®. More information is available at TheSongbook.org.
