X
  • 1940
  • Approved
  • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • 2 h
  • 1940
  • Approved
  • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • 2 h

Summary Jimmy Connors and his girl-friend want to take part in Paul Whiteman's high-school bands contest, but they cannot afford the fare. But per chance they meet Paul Whiteman in person and are able to convince him that their band is good enough, so he lends them the money. But then one of their friends becomes seriously ill and has to be carr...

Directed By: Busby Berkeley

Written By: John Monks Jr., Fred F. Finklehoffe, Herbert Fields, Kay Van Riper

  • 1940
  • Approved
  • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • 2 h
  • 1940
  • Approved
  • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • 2 h

Strike Up the Band

Metascore Mixed or Average Based on 6 Critic Reviews
59
User Score Available after 4 ratings
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Summary Jimmy Connors and his girl-friend want to take part in Paul Whiteman's high-school bands contest, but they cannot afford the fare. But per chance they meet Paul Whiteman in person and are able to convince him that their band is good enough, so he lends them the money. But then one of their friends becomes seriously ill and has to be carr...

Directed By: Busby Berkeley

Written By: John Monks Jr., Fred F. Finklehoffe, Herbert Fields, Kay Van Riper

Where to Watch

Top Cast

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Critic Reviews

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Metascore
Mixed or Average Based on 6 Critic Reviews
59
67% Positive
4 Reviews
33% Mixed
2 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

 View All
Metascore
Mixed or Average Based on 6 Critic Reviews
59
67% Positive
4 Reviews
33% Mixed
2 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
75
Rooney and Garland deliver their usual energy-packed performances.
FULL REVIEW
70
Direction by Busby Berkeley deftly carries through the story side, despite script deficiencies, but he is in his element in the staging of the production and musical sequences.
FULL REVIEW
70
When they take the rugs off the floor and the youngsters begin moving, Strike Up the Band is spanking good entertainment.
FULL REVIEW
63
Energetic but unusually foolish "Hey, kids, let's put on a show!" high-school musical, redeemed by the exuberantly talented Mickey Rooney-Judy Garland combo, as a couple of kids preparing jaw-dropping numbers (choreographed by Berkeley) for a Paul Whiteman radio contest. [12 Dec 1997]
By Michael Wilmington FULL REVIEW
60
Don't be misled by the Berkeley credit - this is no girlie extravaganza. Rather, it's the second of those musical concoctions designed for the strident, irrepressible Rooney to dominate with Garland tagging along.
FULL REVIEW
40
So klunky and poorly paced, and so loaded with sanctimonious moral lessons, that even the George and Ira Gershwin score doesn't save it.
By Pauline Kael FULL REVIEW

User Reviews

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Details

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Production Company Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
Release Date Sep 27, 1940
Duration 2 h
Rating Approved
Genres
Tagline IT BEATS THE BAND! (original ad - all caps)
View All Details

Awards

Academy Awards, USA
• 1 Win & 3 Nominations

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