Films for Family and Friends: Meet Me in St.Louis (1944)

(photo courtesy of imdb.com)

Meet Me in St. Louis is the classic that almost wasn't! 22-year-old Judy Garland was not interested in playing another teenage role in anyone's upcoming film. However after some coaxing from exectutives and director (and future husband)Vincente Minnelli, she accepted the offer to be involved in one of the most- loved musicals of all time!

Based on the book by Sally Benson, the movie Meet Me in St. Louis tells the story of a year in the life of the Smith family living in St. Louis, Missouri during 1903-1904. All is well for this tightly-knit brood; Lon Jr. (Henry  H.Daniels Jr.), the only Smith boy, has been accepted to study at Princeton University. Rose (Lucielle Bremer) has a few potential suitors, but has her heart set on Warren Sheffield (Robert Sully). Esther (Judy Garland) is busy capturing the eyes and heart of John Truitt (Tom Drake), the boy next door. Agnes and Tootie are the younger yet more brazen of the Smith clan who enjoy creating mild mischief.  Wisecracking Grandpa(Harry Davenport), no-nonsense Kate (Marjorie Main) and mother/wife Anna (Mary Astor) are the backbone at home while Alonzo (Leon Ames) keeps his family provided for. Everything is looking up for the Smith family until, Alonzo comes home with the news that he's been promoted and will be moving the family to New York; away from the friends and familiarity they've always known. This dissheartning news comes right before the holidays....and The World's Fair.

Meet Me in St. Louis  is a classic musical that:

* Showcases one of Judy's best performances

* Is best known for, "The Trolly Song"

* Intoduced the world to one of the most well-known holiday tunes,

"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." 

* Has the best, and my favorite, rendition of "Skip to my Lou".

* Illustrates family and a simpler time in turn-of -the century America.

*You will surely love

Enjoy,

Neah B