The Harvey Girls

The Harvey Girls, motion picture about a young mail-order bride who comes out West and works at a rail-stop restaurant chain owned by a man named Harvey. Based on a story by Eleanore Griffin and William Rankin, from the novel by Samuel Hopkins Adams, this Academy Award-winning musical comedy was released in 1946, and stars Judy Garland as Susan Bradley. The saloon owner across the street from Harvey’s diner cuts a dashing figure and attracts Bradley’s eye, but the man’s girlfriend, Em (played by Angela Lansbury), is a tough cookie and much more wise in the ways of the world. Bradley’s fellow Harvey Girls lend a hand in helping Bradley get her man, involving a great deal of singing and dancing. This film includes the song “On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe.”

Director

• George Sidney

Cast

• Judy Garland (Susan Bradley)
• John Hodiak (Ned Trent)
• Ray Bolger (Chris Maule)
• Preston Foster (Judge Sam Purvis)
• Virginia O'Brien (Alma)
• Angela Lansbury (Em)
• Marjorie Main (Sonora Cassidy)
• Chill Wills (H. H. Hartsey)
• Kenny Baker (Terry O'Halloran)
• Selena Royle (Miss Bliss)
• Cyd Charisse (Deborah)
• Ruth Brady (Ethel)
• Catherine McLeod (Louise)
• Jack Lambert (Marty Peters)
• Edward Earle (Jed Adams)
• Virginia Hunter (Jane)
• William 'Bill' Phillips (Cowboy)
• Norman Leavitt (Cowboy)
• Morris Ankrum (Reverend Claggett)
• Ben Carter (John Henry)
• Mitchell Lewis (Sandy)
• Stephen McNally (Goldust McClean)
• Bill Hall (Big Joe)
• Ray Teal (Conductor)
• Robert Emmett O'Connor (Conductor)
• Vernon Dent (Engineer)
• Jim Toney (Mule skinner)
• Dorothy Gilmore (Harvey girl)
• Lucille Casey (Harvey girl)
• Mary Jo Ellis (Harvey girl)
• Mary Jane French (Harvey girl)
• Joan Thorson (Harvey girl)
• Jacqueline White (Harvey girl)
• Daphne Moore (Harvey girl)
• Dorothy Tuttle (Harvey girl)
• Gloria Hope (Harvey girl)
• Vera Lee (Dance hall girl)
• Dorothy Van Nuys (Dance hall girl)
• Eve Whitney (Dance hall girl)
• Jane Hall (Dance hall girl)
• Bunny Waters (Dance hall girl)
• Hazel Brooks (Dance hall girl)
• Erin O'Kelly (Dance hall girl)
• Peggy Maley (Dance hall girl)
• Kay English (Dance hall girl)
• Dallas Worth (Dance hall girl)

Awards

• Academy Award for Best Song (1946): Harry Warren—Music, Johnny Mercer—Lyrics for “On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe.”