MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1944) directed by Vincente Minnelli, stars Judy Garland in her most iconic musical since her star making performance of THE WIZARD OF OZ (1939). A grand mix of comedy, sentiment and memorable songs incidental to the plot in this nostalgic look of family life set in 1903-04. Produced in glorious Technicolor, the story goes through chapters of four seasonal passages (summer, autumn, winter and spring) reportedly taken from memories/stories originated by Sally Benson. Often regarded as a Christmas movie, MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS includes enough material to consider this a movie for all four seasons.
Set in a small town of St. Louis, the story begins in the summer of 1903 introducing the Smith Family: Alonzo. Father and lawyer by profession (Leon Ames); Anne, his wife (Mary Astor); children; Rose, the eldest (Lucille Bremer), romantically involved with Warren Sheffield (Robert Sully); Esther, the second daughter (Judy Garland) interested in the new boy next door, John Truett (Tom Drake); Lon Smith Jr., the only son, (Henry H. Daniels Jr.); Agnes (Joan Carroll) and their youngest, Tootie (Margaret O'Brien). The household also consists of Grandpa (wonderfully played by Harry Davenport) and their housekeeper, Agnes (Marjorie Main). With the family looking forward to the upcoming World Exposition, the St. Louis Fair, which won't take place for another seven months, the events of their lives are showcased. The summer plot development shifts to autumn with Tootie and Agnes in costumes out for Halloween getting into mischief followed by misunderstandings between Esther and John; autumn involving family Thanksgiving and father's big news that surprises the family with bitterness rather than joy; winter season, Christmas Eve gathering with the eldest Smith children attending the ball with their beaus, followed by father's latest news to bring pleasure to the whole family; and final season of spring, 1904, where all gather at the expedition only to discover something they have never realized before. Other members of the cast include June Lockhart, Darryl Hickman and Hugh Marlowe.
An assortment of now classic songs by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane featuring: "Meet Me in St. Louis" (by Andrew B, Sterling and Kerry Kills/ sung by cast); "The Boy Next Door" (sung by Judy Garland); "Skip to My Lou, My Darling" (sung by Garland and cast); "The Cake Walk" (Garland and Margaret O'Brien); "Over the Banister Dreaming" (Garland); "The Trolley Song" (passengers and Garland); "You and I" (sung by Mary Astor and Leon Ames); "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," (sung by Garland to Margaret O'Brien); and "Meet Me in St. Louis."
A feel-good story with a wonderful cast certainly makes MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS great family viewing to enjoy repeatedly at any season without any loss of interest. Available on home video and DVD format, it can be seen and enjoyed on various cable channels, notably Turner Classic Movies. For anyone looking for something in the similar fashion of MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS, check out Doris Day's Warner Brothers releases of ON MOONLIGHT BAY (1951) and its sequel, BY THE LIGHT OF THE SILVERY MOON (1953) which both have Leon Ames once more playing the head of the family. (****)
Set in a small town of St. Louis, the story begins in the summer of 1903 introducing the Smith Family: Alonzo. Father and lawyer by profession (Leon Ames); Anne, his wife (Mary Astor); children; Rose, the eldest (Lucille Bremer), romantically involved with Warren Sheffield (Robert Sully); Esther, the second daughter (Judy Garland) interested in the new boy next door, John Truett (Tom Drake); Lon Smith Jr., the only son, (Henry H. Daniels Jr.); Agnes (Joan Carroll) and their youngest, Tootie (Margaret O'Brien). The household also consists of Grandpa (wonderfully played by Harry Davenport) and their housekeeper, Agnes (Marjorie Main). With the family looking forward to the upcoming World Exposition, the St. Louis Fair, which won't take place for another seven months, the events of their lives are showcased. The summer plot development shifts to autumn with Tootie and Agnes in costumes out for Halloween getting into mischief followed by misunderstandings between Esther and John; autumn involving family Thanksgiving and father's big news that surprises the family with bitterness rather than joy; winter season, Christmas Eve gathering with the eldest Smith children attending the ball with their beaus, followed by father's latest news to bring pleasure to the whole family; and final season of spring, 1904, where all gather at the expedition only to discover something they have never realized before. Other members of the cast include June Lockhart, Darryl Hickman and Hugh Marlowe.
An assortment of now classic songs by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane featuring: "Meet Me in St. Louis" (by Andrew B, Sterling and Kerry Kills/ sung by cast); "The Boy Next Door" (sung by Judy Garland); "Skip to My Lou, My Darling" (sung by Garland and cast); "The Cake Walk" (Garland and Margaret O'Brien); "Over the Banister Dreaming" (Garland); "The Trolley Song" (passengers and Garland); "You and I" (sung by Mary Astor and Leon Ames); "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," (sung by Garland to Margaret O'Brien); and "Meet Me in St. Louis."
A feel-good story with a wonderful cast certainly makes MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS great family viewing to enjoy repeatedly at any season without any loss of interest. Available on home video and DVD format, it can be seen and enjoyed on various cable channels, notably Turner Classic Movies. For anyone looking for something in the similar fashion of MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS, check out Doris Day's Warner Brothers releases of ON MOONLIGHT BAY (1951) and its sequel, BY THE LIGHT OF THE SILVERY MOON (1953) which both have Leon Ames once more playing the head of the family. (****)