Watch The Harvey Girls

The Harvey Girls is a 1946 musical comedy that stars Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, and John Hodiak. The film is set in the late 1800s and tells the story of Susan Bradley (Garland), a young woman from Ohio who travels west to become a Harvey Girl. The Harvey Girls were waitresses who worked for the Fred Harvey Company, a chain of restaurants that served the railroads in the American West.

Upon arriving in the small western town of Sand Rock, Susan meets the other Harvey Girls and their strict supervisor, Em (Marjorie Main). Em is hesitant to hire Susan because she is too fond of dancing and singing, but Susan convinces her that she is hardworking and dedicated.

As Susan begins her job at the restaurant, she meets a charming gambler named Ned Trent (Hodiak) who immediately takes an interest in her. However, she is also courted by the local saloon owner, Judge Sam Purvis (Preston Foster), who sees the Harvey Girls as competition. Susan is torn between her growing feelings for Ned and her loyalty to the Harvey Girls and their mission to bring civilization to the Wild West.

Throughout the film, there are several musical numbers, including the well-known song "On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe," which won an Academy Award for Best Original Song. The film also features several comedic moments, particularly from Ray Bolger, who plays a shy cook named H.H. Hartsey.

As the story progresses, Susan must navigate her feelings for Ned while also dealing with the threats from Judge Purvis. The Harvey Girls also face challenges from the local cowboys, who view them as outsiders. However, their hard work and dedication to their job eventually wins over the town, and Susan and Ned are able to come together.

Overall, The Harvey Girls is a lighthearted and entertaining film that showcases the talent of its star, Judy Garland. The film offers a glimpse into a unique piece of American history and features catchy musical numbers and memorable characters.

The Harvey Girls is a 1946 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0 and a MetaScore of 65.