Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- None
- buoyant
- nostalgic
- wholesome
- classic movie night
- musical afternoon
What critics said
Critics broadly regard the film as a lavish, colorful, entertaining MGM musical led by Judy Garland, though its story and tone are more conventional than its spectacle.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The film emphasizes period costumes, colorful western sets, and showy musical production numbers in the MGM style.
Susan and the Harvey Girls establish a restaurant centered on wholesome food, service, and communal standards amid saloon competition.
The Harvey House competes directly with Ned Trent’s saloon and its worldly dancehall women for customers and influence.
The Harvey House serves railway travelers, while the celebrated train song links romance and spectacle to westward railroad development.
Films like The Harvey Girls, and why
Meet Me in St. Louis
shared classic Hollywood musical spectacle, romantic comedy, colorful period setting, and ensemble performance energy
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
shared western musical setting, romance, comic rivalry, and polished MGM production style
Calamity Jane
shared train-centered musical storytelling, romantic comedy, and exuberant song-and-dance presentation
Rose-Marie
shared frontier romance, musical comedy, and tension between social respectability and saloon culture
Movie Details
- Director
- George Sidney
- Release Date
- 1946-01-18
- Runtime
- 104 min
- Rating
- 6.6 / 10 (56)
Cast
- Judy Garland
- John Hodiak
- Ray Bolger
- Angela Lansbury
- Preston Foster
- Virginia O'Brien
- Kenny Baker
- Marjorie Main
- Chill Wills
- Selena Royle
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- HBO Max Amazon Channel, HBO Max
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Harvey Girls about?
- A spirited MGM western musical follows a mail-order bride who finds purpose, friendship, and romance while helping establish a respectable frontier restaurant.
- What is The Harvey Girls like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Harvey Girls as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as simple.
- Is The Harvey Girls violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Harvey Girls.
- What did critics think of The Harvey Girls?
- Critics broadly regard the film as a lavish, colorful, entertaining MGM musical led by Judy Garland, though its story and tone are more conventional than its spectacle.
- Which films are like The Harvey Girls?
- Films with a similar feel include Meet Me in St. Louis, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Calamity Jane, and Rose-Marie.
- How long is The Harvey Girls?
- The Harvey Girls runs 104 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Harvey Girls?
- In United States, The Harvey Girls streams on HBO Max Amazon Channel, HBO Max.
