In Ireland, Jerry Kelly marries his sweetheart, Nellie Noonan over the objections of her ne'er-do-well father, Michael Noonan, who swears never to speak to Jerry again, even though he reluctantly accompanies the newlyweds to America, where Jerry becomes a policeman, and all three become citizens. Michael continues to hold his grudge against Jerry, even when Nellie dies while giving birth to little Nellie. Years later, Jerry is now a captain on the police force, and little Nellie has grown up as the spitting image of her mother. When Nellie becomes enamored of Dennis Fogarty, the son of Michael's old friend Timothy Fogarty, the squabbling between Nellie's father and grandfather intensifies, as Michael objects to the romance, and finally leaves home because of it. Eventually, the three generations are reconciled, and Nellie and Dennis remain a couple.
Cast
Judy Garland as Nellie Noonan Kelly and as Little Nellie Kelly
Little Nellie Kelly offers Judy Garland the opportunity to sing a swing version of "Singin' in the Rain", more than 10 years before Gene Kelly more famously sang it in his film Singin' in the Rain, as well as several newer songs, including the traditional "A Pretty Girl Milking Her Cow" sung partly in Irish-Gaelic. There are also two entertaining production numbers, one set at the New York City Policeman's Ball, which showcases Garland at her most attractive, and the other written by Roger Edens so that Garland can belt out "It's A Great Day for the Irish" while marching up New York's famed 5th Avenue during the St. Patrick's Day Parade. This song became one of Garland's biggest hits. Songs cut from the film include: "Rings on Your Fingers and Bells on Your Toes", "Danny Boy" and "How Can You Buy Killarney".
Production
After the success of The Wizard of Oz, the film was a "test" by MGM to evaluate both Garland's audience appeal and her physical image. It was rumoured at the time that George M Cohan sold the rights expressly as a vehicle for the young Garland. The film gave 18-year-old Garland the opportunity to grow up as she is in the first half of the picture set in Ireland, in which she plays Nellie Noonan, the mother of Little Nellie Kelly. Although called 'a bit of Blarney', overall the film was well received and has become a classic St Patrick's Day film. Critics noted "she gets prettier with each picture".
Box office
According to MGM records the film earned USD$968,000 in the US and Canada and $1,078,000 elsewhere resulting in a profit of $680,000.
