Terrible acting, screenplay and direction.

It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional

A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

As has already been noted, the short film "Every Sunday" (1936) could be considered the first music video. This was a happy accident resulting from MGM's need to crank out a variety of short films for exhibit with its feature length material. They had a couple fresh young singing talents (Judy Garland and Deanna Durbin) available and essentially slapped together a blend of music styles in a kind of Norman Rockwell concert in the park setting. Who would have dreamed at the time that they would capture the best collection of images since Eisenstein's "Odessa Steps" sequence. It's Sunday with some inattentive folks sitting around a small wooden band shell in the park while a tired looking ensemble play Strauss. Events unfold and the next Sunday Judy and Deanna save the day. The operatic Deanna sings "Il Bacio" (The Kiss) and Garland follows with the contrasting "Waltz with a Swing". The climax nicely blends the two styles into a duet of "Americana". A must see.Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.

Having previously seen this short on VHS tape with the feature Summer Stock, I just rewatched Every Sunday on the TCM site. It marked the film debut of 15-year-old Deanna Durbin and of 14-year-old Judy Garland outside of her two older sisters. These two teens showcase their musical talents with a solo from Deanna of "Il Bacio", then one from Judy of "Waltz with a Swing" before the two climax with "Americana". The slight plot of this 11-minute film concerns the possible unemployment of Edna's (Durbin's real first name which is the way she's addressed here) grandfather's conducting job at the park because of low attendance. With the two girls' help, you can probably guess what happens from there! Contrasts are marked not only with Garland's and Durbin's musical choice but also with their height, poise, and movement. Despite all that, they perform quite well at the end and it's almost surprising that M-G-M chose Garland while Durbin was already contracted at Universal as this short was made but was briefly allowed back in since her feature debut (Three Smart Girls) was in the early preparing stages. Judy herself would make her first feature (Pigskin Parade) at 20th Century-Fox as M-G-M was deciding what movie she would next star in. That would be Broadway Melody of 1938 where she would perform the show stopping number, "Dear Mr. Gable (You Made Me Love You)". But back to this short, Every Sunday provides a warm and wonderful glimpse of two star singers at the beginning of their legendary careers unaware of what the future holds for them...

If you are a Judy Garland fan, like myself, you must see this film. As the movie trivia states, this was a short put together by MGM in deciding which young actress should be signed to contract with the motion picture company.According to "Get Happy" a Garland biography written by Gerald Clarke, Judy was aware that this film was made solely for the purpose of choosing Deanna or Judy to sign to contract with MGM. Judy was also made painfully aware by Louis B. Mayer and her own mother that Deanna Durbin had been classically trained as an operatic singer (Judy couldn't even read music), was thinner, and "prettier." Struggling with these pressures, Judy still managed to win the contract with her obvious acting superiority, and viewers falling for her pop genre singing and American sweetheart style.Any Judy fan must see this, her first film for MGM. It is an important part of Judy's beginnings and to understand where she started as a singer and actress. Her novice vulnerability is apparent, which makes her all the more charming. "Every Sunday" is available for viewing in the special features menu of the "For Me and My Gal" DVD release. Again, I urge every Judy Garland fan, aficionado and historian to see "Every Sunday." It's only 11 minutes long, but in these 11 minutes we see what Ms. Judy Garland started as, and the beauty little 13 year-old MGM wanted to change (or mangle is more like it.)

In itself, this is a lightweight short feature with a predictable story, but it is well worth seeing as a pleasant part of cinema history. Seeing Deanna Durbin and Judy Garland together so early in their careers is a treat for anyone who has enjoyed their later pictures, and their energy and obvious talent more than make up for any lack of depth in the rest of the movie.The plot is a simple one, with the two young women devoting themselves to saving a local concert series. What's interesting about it is seeing Durbin and Garland perform, since even at such a young age the difference in their styles is already pronounced. Deanna and Judy were both clearly ready for bigger opportunities.This kind of feature probably doesn't hold an interest for a wide audience today, but for those who appreciate the classic musicals, it's worth seeing as a piece of movie history.