Meet Me In St. Louis

The costumes, the singing, the setting, the family, the holidays. Everything about Vincent Minnelli's 1944 film Meet Me In St. Louis is pure magic. This movie is easily in my Top Five Desert Island Movies, a treasure I have enjoyed since I was a little girl. Last evening, I watched it while writing Christmas cards and wrapping gifts. A perfect treat for a Monday. My family also watches it every Christmas Day (one of our many holiday movie traditions). Such a classically Christmas film that you must watch if you haven't already!

{The Smith family (Rose, Tootie, and Esther) makes snow people}

The Smith family represents quintessential America, or rather, America of yore. Large, noisy, dramatic, hilarious, each member is a star in her own right. As an only child, I love this movie all the more for its size and closeness. I think my favorite character has to be Grandpa for his tricks, general wisdom, and good cheer.

{Esther (Judy Garland) and John (Tom Drake) on Christmas Eve}

And of course, I cannot not fail to mention the dashing John Truett, or rather "the boy next door," on whom I have had an insane crush for years. He might be a little shy, perhaps a tad clueless, but his heart and charming personage are in just the right place! Especially the scene when Esther comes to apologize to him after beating him up or when she dances around the Christmas tree with Grandpa and then... (I won't spoil the scene for those who haven't see it) - SO romantic!

{Tootie (Margaret O'Brien) and Esther (Judy Garland) for
"Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas}

And finally, I must pay tribute to the original version of "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas," sung by the incomparable Judy Garland. This is my favorite Christmas song - the one my parents always play when I come home for the holidays. No one sings it better than Judy. Not even close. This was the film where director Vincent Minnelli fell in love with Judy Garland. You can see that love in every shot. She said that she felt truly beautiful in this movie. And she certainly is.

Image found here, here, here, and here.