Very appealing MGM musical with wonderful songs, colorful production, Judy Garland at the peak of her feisty charms. In the burgeoning days of train transportation, women are needed to work the eateries scattered throughout the Southwest; in a small New Mexico town, Judy decides to ditch her mail-order marriage for a waitressing job, but she soon finds love again. "On The Atchinson, Topeka and The Santa Fe" won a Best Song Oscar, and deservedly so; this grand number gets the full treatment, and is so exuberantly staged it becomes a classic by itself. The picture does runs short of ideas and inspiration near the end, leading to a poorly-staged romantic finale, yet the supporting cast is excellent, particularly Angela Lansbury as a jealous showgirl. *** from ****

As a lover of musicals and of Judy Garland, I watched The Harvey Girls and I really liked it on the whole. The plot though is cardboard especially in the second half and John Hodiak for my liking gives a rather lacklustre performance. Still it is worth seeing. The film with its beautiful costumes, scenery and photography does look gorgeous, the music is fantastic particularly the climatic set-piece On the Atchison, Topeka and The Santa Fe, the choreography is magnificent and the first half is great fun. The film is directed lovingly by George Sidney, and while Angela Lansbury and Ray Bolger are excellent, this is Judy Garland's film and she is absolutely wonderful. Overall, a lovely film. 8/10 Bethany Cox

"We ought to be able to lick a hand full of girls with our hands tied behind our backs!". This amazing quote, surely the thing of double-entendres, actually sums up the plot quite well. A train filled with waitresses come to a western town to work for one of many restaurants run by the Harvey chain--and some powerful folks in the town will do practically anything to get them to leave as this restaurant is competition to the bar/whorehouse. However, despite this dangerous story, it's not all seriousness as this is a Judy Garland musical--filled with many bright and peppy production numbers. In fact, this is THE problem with the movie. Even for an MGM musical, there are too many song and dance numbers and this made it seem as if dialog and plot were, at best, secondary. It's a shame, as the film looks dynamite---with its intense 1940s color, wonderful costumes and HUGE song and dance numbers that you just have to see to believe.

For lovers of musicals, I'd rate this one an 8. For folks like me that love classic films but don't love every musical, a 6. And, for folks who aren't familiar with or don't like older films (they must be crazy),I'd say it's better just to avoid this one. I really wanted to love the film--as I do love Judy Garland in "Meet Me in St. Louis" and "In the Good Old Summertime". Plus, Garland is wonderful in the film--and she gives it her all. However, this one, clearly, is not in the same league as these great films.