This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

Like the great film, it's made with a great deal of visible affection both in front of and behind the camera.

The acting is good, and the firecracker script has some excellent ideas.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

Spoilers. Observations. Opinions.Mickey. Judy. Put on a show. Make us happy. We are going to be crying a lot, soon, with entering a world war that was already existing.Out of the barn, right off the bat, I hate black and white. Still, this is what we have. I do love the great Technicolor musical film extravaganzas, but this was not to be had, here.Mickey and Judy were childhood entertainers. They are leads in this film. Everyone else looks like they have been thrown under the bus, in today's parlance. They are so much wallpaper. Mickey and Judy were not the handsomest, prettiest or cutest, but somehow they made it to the top. They could sing and dance, but so could a lot of people. I keep harping on the casting couch. Just consider it.I like the villain vaudeville section, but I think that the latter part of the conga extravaganza is way too long. The long and drawn out dance group scene is tiring to look at. Of course, the parts where Mickey and Judy double dance together are quite excellent. Busby Berkeley did something right, here.I think that the fruit and nut orchestra has stolen the picture. They are so cute. The black tuxedos that they wear are just adorable. Some of the orchestra members are walnuts; are they playing pieces of chocolate and white layer cake, shaped like grand pianos? Hmmmm, it dazzles the senses.Look for Joe Yule, Sr., selling tickets at the fair. A quick eye will catch him. He was the real life father of Mickey Rooney.Finally, don't say that the U.S. thought a world war would happen soon. It already was happening. Herr Hitler invaded Poland in 1939. The U.S. joined the war. It happened after this film was released. It WAS the Great Depression, but the U.S. economy was growing due to manufacture and sales of war materiels to the European war effort in the later 1930s. World War Two ended the Great Depression.Mickey Rooney would join that war, and his later career would suffer because of his absence.Films like this one soon would be helping a war-weary America find some kind of happiness, in a growing dark and dreary time period. 1941 was war time for the U.S., not ending until 1945.You know that song and dance films are my utmost favorite, but I despise black and white -- ugh!! Still, it is what is, again in today's parlance.I am a degreed historian, actress, singer, dancer, film critic and movie reviewer.

"Strike Up the Band" is another teaming of Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland who are of course put in the position of putting on a show to save a band, a school program for children, a school from closing, etc. You name it. It could be any of those things. Of all the movie musicals that were made in their heyday, these were the most bizarre, meaning while enjoyable and with good music still somewhat beyond belief. They always seemed to defy the odds, getting what they want, albeit with some obstacles along the way. This outing though is not quite as good as others, due to some of the supporting actors' not so subtle acting. Less is more is not an adage used here. In fact, there's nothing subtle here. Ann Shoemaker does give good support as his mother, with a nice speech about being a great man. But the length, its feeling of self-importance, and some awkward moments of corniness hurt its effectiveness. It is very enjoyable with great musical numbers for Mickey and Judy; but there's just so much of everything here, making it two whole hours, including a over-the-top tongue-in-cheek save-the-damsel production in the middle of the movie, lasting 15 minutes itself. I'm sure you'll enjoy it for what it is, but afterwards, you'll feel like you had a workout.

Overlong but fun Mickey & Judy "let's put on a show" musical, directed by the great Busby Berkeley. Drummer Jimmy (Mickey Rooney) and would-be girlfriend Mary (Judy Garland) try to make their high school band a success. Along the way they deal with little personal dramas like Jimmy's mother wanting him to be a doctor, a new girl in town who captures Jimmy's eye, and one of the band members needing an emergency operation. The musical numbers are good, if not particularly memorable. Mickey & Judy are terrific, as always. It's probably pretty corny stuff for those who aren't fans but, if you enjoy these types of movies, I'm sure you'll have a good time with this one.

By Far MY FAVORITE MR movie that he's done in his Career surpassing "The Black Stallion which is an OK film i think. NOT GREAT but an OKfilm. but as for MR other than this film "Mad World" & "Boys Town" this is my Favorite Rooney Film! & As Another Reader has said this IS JG & MR BEST Film BY FAR & i think it has the BEST Soundtrack as well. & The BEST ENDING I LOVE seeing Mickey playing the Drums, i wish THAT he would have done it MORE often than in this film & in (1951)'s B-Movie "The Strip" which isn't a bad movie in itself either. A Great Film & one can see Why MR was at this time the #1 attraction in the world surpassing Even The Great "Clark Gable"! :) among other actors & actress's of that era. & i can't wait till MR's NEW movie that he's doing with Dick Van Dyke to come out. the two haven't done a film since (1969)'s "The Comic" WHICH i have yet to see for myself either. :( BUT IF one wants to start with a MR movie & becoming a fan of his early work or maybe even his later work such as (1981)'s (TVM) "Bill" than They Should start with this one IF they want to start with his Early work. My Rate of this WONDERFUL FILM 10/10