Meet Me in St. Louis

Meet Me in St. Louis
MGM, 1944, Color, 114 minutes, ****
Premiere release November, 1944
General release January, 1945


The story of the Smith family in turn-of-the-century (not this century -- the other one) St. Louis, eagerly anticipating the World's Fair and nearly having to uproot themselves and move to New York. One of Judy Garland's best, and one of the best musicals of all time. Judy introduces the classic "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," and "The Trolley Song." Margaret O'Brien won an Oscar for her portrayal of Tootie Smith. Wonderful film directed by the legendary Vincente Minnelli. Produced by: Arthur Freed
Directed by: Vincente Minnelli
Screen Play by: Irving Brecher and Fred Finklehoffe
Based on the Book by: Sally Benson
"The Trolley Song," "The Boy Next Door," "Skip to My Lou," "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" (by) Hugh Martin, Ralph Blane
Musical Adaptation: Roger Edens
Musical Direction: Georgie Stoll
Orchestrations: Conrad Salinger
Dance Direction: Charles Walters
Art Direction: Cedric Gibbons, Lemuel Ayers, Jack Martin Smith
Set Decorations: Edwin B. Willis
Associate: Paul Huldschinsky
Costume Supervision: Irene
Costumes Designed by: Sharaff
Make-Up Created by: Jack Dawn
Recording Director: Douglas Shearer
Director of Photography: George Folsey
Photographed in Technicolor
Technicolor Color Director: Natalie Kalmus
Associate: Henri Jaffa
Film Editor: Albert Akst

Awards: Academy Award Nominations for Best Screenplay (Irving Brecher and Fred F. Finkelhoffe); Best Color Cinematography (George Folsey); Best Score - Musical (George Stoll) and Best Song ("The Trolley Song")

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], Additional Cast: Donald Curtis [Dr. Terry], Mary Jo Ellis [Ida Boothby], Robert Emmet O'Connor [Motorman], Darryl Hickman [Johnny Tevis], Leonard Walker [Conductor], Victor Kilian [Baggage Man], John Phipps [Mailman], Mayo Newhall [Mr. Braukoff], Major Sam Harris [Mr. March], Sidney Barnes [Hugo Borvis], Myron Tobias [George], Kenneth Donner [Clinton Badger], Helen Gilbert [Girl on Trolley], Arthur Freed [singing voice for Leon Ames], Denny Markas [singing voice for Mary Astor]

Musical Program: [0:00] Overture: "Meet Me in St. Louis, Louis" (sung by Chorus) / "The Boy Next Door" (played by Orchestra behind titles); [0:03] Meet Me in St. Louis, Louis (excerpt sung by Joan Carroll, Harry Davenport, Judy Garland and Chorus); [0:08] The Boy Next Door (sung by Judy Garland); [0:15] Meet Me in St. Louis, Louis (sung by Judy Garland and Lucille Bremer); [0:29] Skip to My Lou (sung and danced by Judy Garland and Ensemble); [0:33] I Was Drunk Last Night (short excerpt sung by Margaret O'Brien); [0:34] Under the Bamboo Tree (sung and danced by Margaret O'Brien and Judy Garland); [0:41] Over the Bannister (excerpt sung by Judy Garland); [0:44] The Trolley Song (sung by Judy Garland and Chorus); [cut] Boys and Girls Like You and Me (sung by Judy Garland; cut from final print); [1:15] You and I (sung by Arthur Freed dubbing for Leon Ames and Denny Markas dubbing for Mary Astor); [1:39] Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (sung by Judy Garland)