If you had not already fallen in love with the charms of Judy Garland in 1943, this film would have turned you around. She's adorable and all-American and all grown up, just four years away from "The Wizard of Oz." This unpretentious black-and white flick, costarring Van Heflin, is not so much a musical as a story with music. Marta Eggerth plays the anti-Garland and provides some beautiful (Russian-Ukrainian-Polish-whatever) operatic interludes, which seem slightly absurd. "Tom, Tom, the Piper's Son" is one of Garland's less known and cutest spots on film. Great finale with Judy singing "Broadway Rhythm." ---from Musicals on the Silver Screen, American Library Association, 2013
Review of Presenting Lily Mars
