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Presenting Lily Mars

Year:

1944

Duration:

104 min

Genres:

Comedy | Musical | Romance

IMDB rate:

6.9

Director:

Norman Taurog

Details

Country: USA

Release Date: 1944-03-20

Filming Locations: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Cast

Actor

Character

Bobby Barber

Judy Garland

Lily Mars

Van Heflin

John Thornway

Fay Bainter

Mrs. Thornway

Richard Carlson

Owen Vail

Spring Byington

Mrs. Mars

Mártha Eggerth

Isobel Rekay (as Marta Eggerth)

Connie Gilchrist

Frankie

Leonid Kinskey

Leo

Patricia Barker

Poppy

Janet Chapman

Violet

Annie Ross

Rosie (as Annabelle Logan)

Douglas Croft

Davey

Ray McDonald

Charlie Potter

Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra

Themselves

Bob Crosby Orchestra

Themselves (as Bob Crosby and His Orchestra)

Bob Crosby

Tommy Dorsey

Abigail Adams

Woman (uncredited) (unconfirmed)

Foncilla Adams

Showgirl (uncredited)

Ray Bauduc

Drummer - Bob Crosby's Orchestra (uncredited) (unconfirmed)

Barbara Bedford

Assistant Boardinghouse Manager (uncredited)

Betty Blythe

Dowager (uncredited)

Eric Braunsteiner

Specialty Dancer (uncredited)

Judy Carol

Singer on 'St. Louis Blues' (uncredited)

Pete Carpenter

Clarinetist in Bob Crosby's Orchestra (uncredited) (unconfirmed)

Bill Cartledge

Dixie Brill - Jockey (uncredited)

Lynne Carver

Bonnie - Showgirl (uncredited)

Wally Cassell

Man (uncredited) (unconfirmed)

Robert Cauterio

Captain of Waiters (uncredited)

Jack Chefe

Captain of Waiters (uncredited)

Milton Chisholm

Specialty Dancer (uncredited)

Frank Coghlan Jr.

Elevator Boy (uncredited)

Cliff Danielson

Hotel Clerk (uncredited)

Bryn Davis

Fat Woman (uncredited)

Helen Dickson

Mrs. Schofield

Bill Dill

Waiter (uncredited)

Mary Elliott

Woman (uncredited) (unconfirmed)

Virginia Engels

Showgirl (uncredited)

Virginia Gumm

Showgirl (uncredited)

Max Herman

Trumpeter in Bob Crosby's Orchestra (uncredited) (unconfirmed)

Marcella Holmes

Showgirl (uncredited)

Vicky Lane

Gwen - Showgirl (uncredited)

Carl M. Leviness

Tired Man (uncredited)

Marilyn Maxwell

Prissy - Showgirl (uncredited)

Claire McDowell

Dowager (uncredited)

Charles Meakin

Mayor (uncredited)

Mary Alice Moore

Script Girl (uncredited)

Alberto Morin

Man (uncredited) (unconfirmed)

Buddy Morrow

Musician (uncredited)

Al Murphy

Waiter (uncredited)

Lee Murray

Specialty Dancer (uncredited)

Remington Olmsted

Specialty Dancer (uncredited)

Lew Payton

Andrew - Mrs. Thornway's Butler (uncredited)

Ben Pollack

Saxophonist in Bob Crosby's Orchestra (unconfirmed) (uncredited)

Frances Rafferty

Showgirl (uncredited)

Gil Rodin

Saxophonist in Bob Crosby's Orchestra (uncredited) (unconfirmed)

Harry Rosenthal

Pianist (uncredited)

Gus Schilling

Scotty - Stage Manager (uncredited)

Almira Sessions

Boardinghouse Manager (uncredited)

Mabel Smaney

Fat Woman (uncredited)

Bruce Squires

Trombonist in Bob Crosby's Orchestra (uncredited) (unconfirmed)

Henry Sylvester

Professor Eggleston (uncredited)

William Tannen

Eugene Shepherd (uncredited)

Jack Vlaskin

Specialty Dancer (uncredited)

Charles Walters

Lily's Dance Partner in Finale (uncredited)

Pat West

Bartender in Bar (uncredited)

Frank Whitbeck

Trailer Narrator (voice) (uncredited)

Lee Wilde

Singer with Bob Crosby's Orchestra (uncredited)

Lyn Wilde

Singer with Bob Crosby's Orchestra (uncredited)

Lillian Yarbo

Rosa - Isobel's Maid (uncredited)

Joe Yule

Mike - Stage Doorman (uncredited)

Did you know?

Trivia

"Lux Radio Theater" broadcast a 60 minute radio adaptation of the movie on March 11, 1946 with Van Heflin reprising his film role.

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This film was originally purchased by MGM as a dramatic vehicle for Lana Turner. After Turner dropped out due to a scheduling conflict, the film was retooled as a screwball comedy/musical for Judy Garland.

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The MGM studio executives decided to re-film the finale after a preview showing had many negative comments. In March 1943, Roy Del Ruth directed the re-shoot, which dropped many songs from the original finale, and added others: "Paging Mr. Greenback" (1943) Music by Sammy Fain Lyrics by E.Y. Harburg;"St. Louis Blues" (1914) Music and Lyrics by W.C. Handy; "It's a Long Way to Tipperary" (1912) Music and Lyrics by Jack Judge and Harry Williams;"In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree" (1905) Music by Egbert Van Alstyne Lyrics by Harry Williams;"Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree" (1942) Music and Lyrics by Charles Tobias, Lew Brown & Sam H. Stept. Several actors in the original finale had parts which were cut from the film, including Six Hits and a Miss, Judy Carol (Singer in the "St. Louis Blues" number), Gerald Pierce, William Stahl and Cooper Norris. ("Sweethearts of America" Music by Burton Lane Lyrics by Ralph Freed is supposedly in the movie but not heard)

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Faq

How did MGM mould Garland from "Oz" to "Mars"?

When viewing "Mars" it is quite clear that MGM had moulded her into a leading lady as opposed to a plain adolescent. Garland was 20 at the time of principal photography, throughout teen's she had often played roles of a "plain Jane" the girl who didn't get the guy at the end of the film; MGM now wanted her to become a full leading lady. Garland's hair was lightened from it's usual red/brown to more of a medium blonde colour, she had lost weight and her costumes and make-up were used to great effect.One of the main reasons this charming film is popular within the Garland community is because she was at her physical peak in this film. Prior to any visible illness and given the full MGM glamour treatment.

Was this Judy Garland's first "adult" role?

No. Many consider this film to be part of a series of films she appeared in which allowed her to slowly portray women in their late teens and early twenties. When watching the film, Garland's character still seems a little young and innocent but compared to the roles she was being given even 18 months before production began on "Mars" the character of Lily is much older. Garland's first "adult"role came the year before in "For Me and My Gal" (1942) opposite Gene Kelly.

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