Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)

User Rating:

7.6/10   

Director:

Vincente Minnelli

Writers:

Irving Brecher (screenplay) and
Fred F. Finklehoffe (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

January 1945 (USA)

Genre:

Musical | Family | Romance

Tagline:

A cast of favorites in the Charming . . . Romantic . . . Tuneful Love Story of the Early 1900s !

Plot:

In the year before the 1904 St Louis World's Fair, the four Smith daughters learn lessons of life and love, even as they prepare for a reluctant move to New York.

Plot Keywords:

Disappointment | Family Relationships | Americana | Nostalgic | Husband Wife Relationship

Awards:

Nominated for 4 Oscars. Another 2 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Judy Garland	...	Esther Smith
Margaret O'Brien	...	'Tootie' Smith
Mary Astor	...	Mrs. Anna Smith
Lucille Bremer	...	Rose Smith
Leon Ames	...	Mr. Alonzo Smith
Tom Drake	...	John Truett
Marjorie Main	...	Katie - Maid
Harry Davenport	...	Grandpa
June Lockhart	...	Lucille Ballard
Henry H. Daniels Jr.	...	Lon Smith Jr.
Joan Carroll	...	Agnes Smith
Hugh Marlowe	...	Colonel Darly
Robert Sully	...	Warren Sheffield
Chill Wills	...	Mr. Neely

Runtime:

113 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Certification:

Iceland:L | Canada:G (Ontario) | UK:U | USA:Approved (certificate #10050) | Canada:PG (video rating) | Argentina:Atp | Australia:G | Finland:S | Sweden:Btl

Filming Locations:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company:

Loew's

Trivia:

The movie was based on the real-life experiences of novelist Sally Benson. The character of Tootie was based on her own childhood; she was called Tootie as a little girl.

Goofs:

Continuity: After Esther sits down during the corset scene, Rose's position changes from standing next to Esther's chair in one shot to kneeling on the chair in the next.

Quotes:

Esther Smith: Papa, if losing a case depresses you so, why don't you quit practicing law and go into another line of business?
Mr. Alonzo Smith: That's a good idea. Starting tomorrow, I intend to play first base for the Baltimore Orioles. I'm sorry, Anna, if I was a little bombastic.
Mrs. Anna Smith: That's all right, dear, you'll feel better once you've had your dinner.
Mr. Alonzo Smith: I suppose so, but right now I'm going to soak in that cool bathtub for one solid hour.
Esther Smith: But that's impossible. Dinner's being served in five minutes.
Mr. Alonzo Smith: It's only five twenty-five, not six twenty-five.
Mrs. Anna Smith: We've planned on eating an hour early tonight.
Mr. Alonzo Smith: Well, the plans have just been changed. I'm taking a bath.
Mrs. Anna Smith: We're eating early for Katie's sake. Family trouble. She wants to go over there as soon as we've finished eating. Her sister's fighting with her husband.
Mr. Alonzo Smith: I see. And I suppose they'll stop fighting if I don't take a bath?
[...]

Movie Connections:

Featured in The Family Stone (2005)

Soundtrack:

Over the Bannister

Good musical romance

'Meet Me in St. Louis' is a film about a city and a film about a well-to-do family that live in the city and their lives. The film is a romantic musical with elaborate design, filmed in Technicolour. Judy Garland plays one of the daughters, and one of the most touching parts of this film is when she sings to her little sister Tootie 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas' when the family are upset to learn that they may have to move from St. Louis to New York City. Ester (Garland's character) is striking up a romance with the guy next door, and romance is a very important part in this film. Tootie, the younger sister, is charming in her own way and sometimes steals the show. Good musical numbers and well done.