Judy by the Numbers: "Zing! Went The Strings Of My Heart!"

Anne Marie is tracking Judy Garland's career through musical numbers...

The Movie: Listen, Darling (MGM, 1938)
The Songwriter: James F. Hanley (Music & Lyrics)
The Players: Judy Garland, Freddie Bartholemew, Mary Astor, Walter Pidgeon, directed by Edwin L. Marin

The Story: No rise to stardom is without its setbacks. Despite Judy Garland's continuing success teaming up with established stars like Mickey Rooney and Fanny Brice, Listen, Darling marked Judy's first box office disappointment. 

Though Judy and Freddie were stars in their own right, when starring in a film together, their chemistry was nil. As a result, the thin 70 minute musical comedy fizzled at the box office, ultimately losing $200,000.

Nonetheless, Listen, Darling did introduce the public to another Judy Garland standard. Though young Judy had been singing "Zing! Went The Strings Of My Heart" for years - she actually auditioned for MGM with the song - this 1938 film and a 1939 Decca record added the song to Judy's public repertoire. Judy made the Hit Parade, and would go on to perform and re-record the song throughout her career. Even if Listen, Darling wasn't a hit, Judy Garland and her zing-y song were.

previously: "The Land of Let's Pretend" (1930), "The Texas Tornado" (1936), "Americana" (1936), "Dear Mr Gable" (1937), "Got a New Pair of Shoes" (1937), "Why? Because!" (1938), "Inbetween" (1938) 

Comments

[joel6]

Looking at this in retrospect it has a couple of cool things about it, Judy's casting as Mary Astor's daughter so many years before Meet Me in St. Louis, Charley Grapewin who would play Uncle Henry in Oz as the more peppery Uncle Joe but the film is an ordinary little trifle and I can't say I'm surprised it wasn't a big hit.

I never quite got Bartholomew's appeal but he's pleasant enough and aside from Judy, who of course makes the movie a must see, the film is worth checking out for the excellent supporting cast.

[Leslie19]

This song is so often done up tempo, even tapped danced to…….MGM’s musical department did a great job arranging this in an almost ballad fashion. Clearly one of her favorite songs, she recorded it often and many other artists tributes to her are sung with this song.

And that last frame of Mary Astor wiping away tears is precious!

[LadyEdith]

Thanks Joel6 - I knew I recognized that guy, Uncle Henry/Joe is a wonderful bit of comic relief with his imitation of love struck Freddie B.
I am used to the more up tempo swing version of this song from her Carnegie Hall performance, but this ballad version is very pretty.
It's a very minimalist performance by Garland, with her giving that characteristic heartfelt interpretation. She always makes it look so easy.

[NathanielR]

one of my favorite Garland numbers ever. and such a gay standard too. I've heard Jimmy Sommerville sing it :)

[Dave in Hollywood]

I know I've seen this movie and not all THAT long ago. Is this the one where they all pack up a trailer and go in to the woods and Judy does some matchmaking for her mother? I have to admit besides Judy, I find the early trailering to be interesting in a time capsule way.

[joel6]

Dave in Hollywood-That is this movie, as they head out on the trip Judy sings On the Bumpy Road to Love as they careen down the road with the little brother basically sitting on the back of the car ready to be projected out on the next good jolt!!

Here's the clip of the number

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASspWUlJnI8