Reunion in Vienna (1933) and Girl Crazy (1943)

It's back to my self-created matinees of Golden Oldies to keep me in the mood for continued watching.  Neither of these films fall into the category of unmissable classics, but both have at least one special thing to recommend them.  In the case of "Reunion in Vienna", this is again the very wonderful John Barrymore.  Based on a Robert E. Sherwood play that was probably already dated when the movie was made, he plays a banished Hapsburg prince looking to renew one romantic night with his old flame (and now-married) love, Diana Wynyard.  They do spend the night, but in a very bowdlerized '30s way, whereas the play was probably rather more explicit.  For once certain favourite character actors did not actually add to my enjoyment, since both Henry Travers and May Robson came across a little too strident; but with Barrymore at his most winning, who cares!

As for "Girl Crazy" the whole point of this film is to see the many muscial numbers created for Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney, both at their young and exuberant best.  Add to that the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra and the splendid final production number directed by the inimitable Busby Berkeley, that's quite enough to warrant viewing the movie again and again.  Forget about the story of playboy Rooney being banished to a failing male college in the wild west and how he and Miss Garland combine to save the day; just sit back and enjoy the musical treat.