the train, but Em, seeing that Susan loves Trent so much that she is willing to give up everything for him, stops the train and points out Trent, riding toward them on his horse. Ultimately, they wed in the desert, surrounded by the Harvey Girls. Cast Cast notes: Byron Harvey Jr., the grandson of Fred Harvey of the Fred Harvey Company, has an uncredited role as a train conductor. The Harvey Girls was the first reunion on film with Ray Bolger and Judy Garland since The Wizard of Oz (1939). Production The Harvey Girls was conceived by MGM as a dramatic vehicle for Lana Turner, but Roger Edens, of the Arthur Freed unit, decided after seeing the musical Oklahoma! that the story should be reworked as MGM's western musical with Judy Garland as its star. Garland wanted to work with Fred Astaire on Yolanda and the Thief, which was directed by fiancé Vincente Minnelli. Edens convinced her that the part in Yolanda was not large enough for her, and he promised that The Harvey Girls would be specifically created to showcase her talents. Principal photography on The Harvey Girls lasted from January 12 through June 4, 1945, a long production period. Studio filming was at MGM's Culver City studios, and the locations were in Victorville, California; at the Iverson Movie Ranch in Chatsworth (near Los Angeles); and in Monument Valley. Singer Virginia Rees' voice was dubbed for Angela Lansbury's songs. Cyd Charisse, who had her first speaking role in the film, had her singing dubbed by Marion Doenges. Virginia O'Brien, a comic actress known for her deadpan style of singing, was pregnant while The Harvey Girls was filmed. Several scenes with Ray Bolger were never filmed due to the difficulty in hiding her pregnancy. This accounts for O'Brien's character disappearing after she sings "Wild Wild West". The Harvey Girls was released in the United States on January 18, 1946. Production credits: Art Direction – William Ferrari and Cedric Gibbons Set Decoration – Mildred Griffiths and Edwin B. Willis Costume Design – Irene Gibbons, Helen Rose, Valles Makeup Artist – Dorothy Ponedel Production Manager – Dave Friedman Assistant Director – George Rhein Sound Director – Douglas Shearer Special Effects – Warren Newcombe Choreographer – Robert Alton Musical director – Lennie Hayton Orchestrator – Conrad Salinger Songs The songs in The Harvey Girls were all written by Harry Warren (music) and Johnny