Meet Me In St. Louis Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A family almost moves, but then they don’t, and Judy Garland sings about it.

🍿 Meet Me In St. Louis: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Summer of 1903: Introductions and Courtship

The film opens in St. Louis during the summer of 1903, where the Smith family resides in a large, comfortable home. Seventeen-year-old Esther Smith is immediately smitten with the new boy next door, John Truett. Her efforts to catch his attention form a central thread throughout the film. Meanwhile, her older sister Rose eagerly awaits a phone call from her beau, Warren Sheffield, hoping for a marriage proposal. Esther actively schemes to spend time with John, inviting him to a party and later, a tour of the St. Louis Exposition fairgrounds. These early encounters are characterized by Esther’s playful pursuit and John’s shy, yet evident, attraction to her. The beginning of their courtship is lighthearted and filled with youthful energy.

Halloween Mishaps and Family Announcement

As the seasons change, the film progresses to Halloween. Young Tootie and Agnes participate in neighborhood pranks, with Tootie’s morbid fascination taking center stage. After a trick goes awry, Tootie blames John for hurting her. Enraged, Esther confronts and physically attacks him, only to later discover Tootie’s story was fabricated. Following the Halloween events, Mr. Smith announces his firm is transferring him to New York, causing a wave of disappointment and worry throughout the family. The impending move disrupts their comfortable lives and threatens to separate them from their beloved St. Louis.

Christmas Eve Revelations and a Change of Heart

The film culminates on Christmas Eve, where Rose is upset that her beau invited another girl to the town dance. Esther’s hopes are also dashed when John cannot attend. Ultimately, both sisters attend, and Esther finds herself being courted by John, who proposes under a snowy moon. Later that night, witnessing Tootie’s distress over the impending move to New York, Mr. Smith has a change of heart. He gathers the family and announces they will remain in St. Louis, much to everyone’s joy and relief. The film concludes with the family visiting the newly opened St. Louis Exposition in the spring of 1904.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Esther Smith (Judy Garland): A seventeen-year-old girl who is deeply in love with the boy next door, navigating romance and the potential disruption of her family life.
• ‘Tootie’ Smith (Margaret O’Brien): The youngest of the Smith sisters, is known for her morbid fascinations and strong attachment to her home.
• Mrs. Anna Smith (Mary Astor): The matriarch of the Smith family, she tries to maintain harmony and happiness in their home.
• Mr. Alonzo Smith (Leon Ames): The head of the Smith family who makes a decision that impacts his family’s lives and happiness.
• John Truett (Tom Drake): The shy boy next door who captures Esther’s heart and becomes a central figure in her life.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Esther Smith: “I can’t believe it. Right here where we live! Right here in St. Louis.” – Esther expresses her awe and joy at the opening of the World’s Fair in their hometown, realizing the incredible opportunity they have.
• Tootie Smith: “I was drunk last night!” – Tootie dramatically explains her injuries to her mother, claiming she was intoxicated, adding humor and a touch of dark comedy to the scene.
• Mr. Alonzo Smith: “We’re going to stay here till we rot!” – Mr. Smith passionately declares that they will remain in St. Louis, emphasizing his change of heart and the importance of family unity.
• Rose Smith: “Money. I hate, loathe, despise, and abominate money.” – Rose dramatically expresses her disdain for money, highlighting the family’s values beyond material wealth.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $1.7M
• Domestic Gross: $415,008
• Worldwide Gross: $502,778

💥 Meet Me In St. Louis Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely adore this movie! It’s like stepping into a warm, cozy dream. The colors are so vibrant, and the music just makes you want to sing along. I remember being captivated by Judy Garland’s ‘Trolley Song’ and feeling genuinely sad during ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.’ The Halloween scene always makes me laugh, and the ending, with the family at the World’s Fair, is just so heartwarming. Definitely a comfort movie that I watch every year!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic movie musicals”
  • “Lovers of Judy Garland”
  • “Families looking for a heartwarming film”
  • “Anyone interested in American history and culture of the early 1900s”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild peril in the Halloween scene”
  • “Brief depiction of a child’s fear”
  • “Nostalgic themes that may not resonate with all viewers”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “A nostalgic and charming musical, boasting excellent performances, delightful songs, and vibrant Technicolor. Minnelli captures the spirit of a bygone era with grace and warmth. A timeless classic.
• The New York Times: “A heartwarming story of family life centered around the St. Louis World’s Fair. Judy Garland shines, with her musical numbers adding charm and depth. The film showcases a idealized vision of turn-of-the-century America, but with a sentimental touch.
• Rotten Tomatoes: “Critics Consensus: A Technicolor triumph, Meet Me in St. Louis is a joyous, tuneful tribute to Americana that remains as captivating as it was upon its initial release. This film is a great movie for the whole family.

Audience Reactions

Judy Garland’s performance and the iconic songs are unforgettable.: The film’s nostalgic depiction of family life and turn-of-the-century America resonates with viewers.

Margaret O’Brien’s portrayal of Tootie is a standout and a great character.: O’brien brings something very unique to this movie!

Overall Consensus: A beloved musical classic celebrated for its heartwarming story, memorable songs, and vibrant portrayal of family life in early 1900s St. Louis.

Awards

1. Academy Awards (Honorary Award)- 1945

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Vincente Minnelli and Judy Garland met during the production of this film and were married shortly after. Their daughter, Liza Minnelli, often spoke fondly of the movie’s significance in their family history.”
• “Margaret O’Brien was awarded a special Juvenile Academy Award for her performance in this film. These awards were given out to recognize significant contributions of performers under the age of 18.”
• “The song “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” was originally much more bleak. Judy Garland felt the original lyrics were too depressing and convinced the songwriters to make it more optimistic.”

🖥️ How to Watch Meet Me In St. Louis?

Meet Me In St. Louis is available to rent or purchase on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check your local listings for television airings. Physical copies on DVD and Blu-ray are also widely available for purchase.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Meet Me In St. Louis, you might like these similar films:

• Little Women (1949): Shares similar themes of family life, sisterhood, and growing up in a bygone era, featuring Margaret O’Brien as Beth March.
• The Band Wagon (1953): Another classic MGM musical with vibrant song and dance numbers, showcasing the studio’s signature style of the era.
• Singin’ in the Rain (1952): A beloved musical that celebrates the joy and optimism of a bygone era, with iconic musical numbers and a focus on the magic of moviemaking.
• La La Land (2016): Modern musical that captures the magic and nostalgia of classic Hollywood musicals, with a focus on dreams, romance, and the pursuit of artistic passions.
• Holiday Inn (1942): A festive musical featuring iconic songs, centered around a gathering place during holiday times.

🛒 Meet Me In St. Louis Related Products

• Meet Me in St. Louis [Blu-ray]: A beautifully restored Blu-ray edition of the classic film, featuring enhanced picture and sound quality, and bonus features like commentary and behind-the-scenes footage.
• Meet Me in St. Louis: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack: A digital download of the original soundtrack, featuring all the iconic songs from the film, including ‘The Trolley Song’ and ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.’
• The Judy Garland Signature Collection (DVD): A collection of Judy Garland’s most iconic films, including ‘Meet Me in St. Louis’, ‘The Wizard of Oz’, and ‘Easter Parade’. This set is perfect for collectors and fans of classic Hollywood musicals.
• Meet Me in St. Louis: Movie Poster Print: A high-quality print of the original ‘Meet Me in St. Louis’ movie poster. Perfect for framing and displaying in any home theater or fan’s collection.

🎧 Soundtrack

Meet Me In St. Louis features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “The Trolley Song” – performed by Judy Garland
• “The Boy Next Door” – performed by Judy Garland
• “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” – performed by Judy Garland
• “Meet Me In St. Louis” – performed by Judy Garland

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

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Want to impress your friends with some insider knowledge? This video is packed with fun facts about ‘Meet Me In St. Louis’ that you probably didn’t know. Some of the trivia is actually mind-blowing!

Movies you need to see! w/ Wes Anderson

Guess what? Wes Anderson himself thinks ‘Meet Me in St. Louis’ is a must-watch! Check out why he includes it in his list of essential films – his unique perspective is totally captivating.

Judy Garland: 60 Second Bio

Ever wondered about the incredible woman behind the iconic performance in ‘Meet Me in St. Louis’? This quick bio of Judy Garland gives you the essentials in just 60 seconds. Prepare to be amazed by her story!

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