Category: Feature Film-drama - Movie - Musical Features - Musicals & Cast Recordings - Musicals (Theatrical)
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DVD Meet Me In St. Louis (Two-Disc Special Edition)
One of the finest American musicals, this 1944 film by Vincente Minnelli is an intentionally self-contained story set in 1903, in which a happy St. Louis family is shaken to their roots by the prospect of moving to New York, where the father has a better job pending. Judy Garland heads the cast in what amounts to a splendid, end-of-an-era story that nicely rhymes with the onset of the 20th century. The film is extraordinarily alive, the characters strong, and the musical numbers are so splendidly part of the storytelling that you don't feel the film has stopped for an interlude. --Tom Keogh
Review(s): DVD Meet Me In St. Louis (Two-Disc Special Edition)
MGM'S NONPARIEL SLICE OF TURN OF THE CENTURY AMERICAN LIFE
A sweet, funny, touching, look at the year in the life of the Smith family in turn of the century St. Louis the year before the Louisiana Purchase Exposition of 1904.
The storyline to this movie runs pretty much the same as a soap opera. I feel that the main themes revolve around love, family, and the importance of home. What holds this movie together so well are the rich production values that just make your eyes pop: the Smith's family georgeous Victorian house, the exquisite costumes, etc. You're transported back to that bygone era. Most of all, you have a radiant, delightful, and positively beaming Judy Garland, at a high point(she had many) in her life. The director (Minelli) new exactly what he wanted to achieve and how to showcase Judy at her absolute best.
I enjoyed how realstic and wacky Minelli made the different characters in this movie. I loved how morbid Tootie was, how Grandpa was funny, yet how he always had the right words to smooth over the rough patches, how big sisters Rose and Esther(Garland) would way over-dramatize their love-lifes.(Dont we all?) The actors were all great.
Best of all was the fabulous score and now classic songs written expressly for Judy Garland. Here are my favorite scenes:
1. Esther(Judy) and Tootie overlooking the snow people in the garden, while Esther sings "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas."
2. Realizing she will be leaving her beloved St Louis behind, in a flash of tears and rage Tootie runs outside and proceeds to bash in all her snow people.
3. Esther being tresseled up in her corset on the night of the Christmas ball. Boy, Judy was really skinny!
4. John Truitt chasing down the trolley to be with Esther.
5. Esther belting out the "Trolley Song". Just amazing.
6. John Truitt exclaiming" It's no worse than football practice. Except its better with a girl."
7. Esther(Judy) exclaiming, "One sister going with her brother has been done, but two sisters makes the family look ridiculous! I won't do it!
8. I love how Minelli opens each season ;summer, fall, winter,and spring, like a picture on the cover of a greeting card.
9. I would love to have a crotchety, loveable maid like the venerable Marjorie Main. Back in those days, they had to make their own catsup.
10. At the Christmas ball, Esther begins to dance around the Christmas tree with her Grandpa. When she comes around the other side, she has her beau, John Truitt, in her arms.
There are many other scenes that may be or may become your favorite moments from this wonderful, timeless, classic suitable for the whole family. Whatever they are, this movie should not be forgotten. MMISL is for musical and classic movie lovers alike. Buy this movie for your own essential movie library. You and your family will soon be choosing your own favorite moments from this terrific American classic!
the xmas song
i have not read all 145 reviews but have read many of them. i agree with most of them so i do not want to lavishly praise this movie. i only want to make two comments.
1. merry christmas is the most popular christmas song ever made. yes, i'm aware of bing crosby and white christmas. test it yourself on christmas season. count the no. of times you hear each song.
2. i hesitate to say it's the best movie musical ever made. how about Gigi?
Children's favorite!
My mother showed this movie to our children and we were so surprised at their response. They love it! The title song to this delightful musical has been memorized and sung over and over by the sweetest little voices! It is movies like this one, with old fashioned family values, that should be shown in our homes. There is no doubt in my mind that the world was a more pleasant place back then...and I want to share that with my family. A fun, colorful, delightful film with glorious music for the whole family.
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