Vincent Minnelli's portrait on the highs and lows of an affluent household in St. Louis is so tenderly remembered for its expressive combination of tragic melodrama and delightful musical numbers. MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS also reminisces the irresistible nostalgic charm of ingénue Judy Garland, who grounds the film with such confident optimism while singing several striking show-tunes.
Crafted in 1944, the plot in this film would later become the foundation for many perky much more contemporary movies and TV episodes. Children having to move away, a girl falling in love with the next-door-neighbor, a kid yearning to play with the bigger people...all have been used so frequently in the media that the ideas have become totally clichéd. However, what truly distinguishes this from all the others is its psychological study on family structure. It evidently shows the actions, traits and behavior that mutually unite people living under the same roof. For a musical, this film carries an incredible amount of symbolism. Undoubtedly, the most poignant sequence in the movie was Tootsie's (adorable Margaret O'Brien) destruction of her snow peoplea sign of her fury and hatred toward her real family. Another tremendous representation utilized in the picture was its accommodating image of America depicted towards the end in the World's Fair, a minor but nonetheless significant reference.
Perhaps the most notable aspect of the film for most people is the charismatic appeal of the legendary Judy Garland and its incorporation of remarkable music. After all, this was the film where Garland looked fondly out the window belting out "The Boy Next Door". What about the endearing scene where Tootsie and Esther (Judy's character) danced to "Under the Bamboo Tree"? Everyone has been moved by Esther's heartbreaking rendition of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas". However, the most popular, cherished number is arguably the colorfully show-stopping high point, "The Trolley Song" (Klang, Klang, Klang went the trolley...) with Garland in a bus full of animated passengers. Every member of the supporting cast is just as captivating: Leon Ames as the stubborn father, Mary Astor as the suffering housewife, O'Brien, June Lockhart and Lucille Brenner as the daughters, Hank Daniels as the son, Harry Davenport as the volatile grandpa and Marjorie Main as the maid.
Since its release, this innovative picture has truly become a landmark musical. It broke new grounds giving fewer restrictions for modern family films rather than becoming some sort of unlikely fantasy fluff musical. MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS introduced domestic conflict to the celluloid, a topic that would forever reverberate beyond the walls of American cinema. This is without doubt essential to every fan of musicals. Even the average person would find this film certainly satisfying or entertaining.
Crafted in 1944, the plot in this film would later become the foundation for many perky much more contemporary movies and TV episodes. Children having to move away, a girl falling in love with the next-door-neighbor, a kid yearning to play with the bigger people...all have been used so frequently in the media that the ideas have become totally clichéd. However, what truly distinguishes this from all the others is its psychological study on family structure. It evidently shows the actions, traits and behavior that mutually unite people living under the same roof. For a musical, this film carries an incredible amount of symbolism. Undoubtedly, the most poignant sequence in the movie was Tootsie's (adorable Margaret O'Brien) destruction of her snow peoplea sign of her fury and hatred toward her real family. Another tremendous representation utilized in the picture was its accommodating image of America depicted towards the end in the World's Fair, a minor but nonetheless significant reference.
Perhaps the most notable aspect of the film for most people is the charismatic appeal of the legendary Judy Garland and its incorporation of remarkable music. After all, this was the film where Garland looked fondly out the window belting out "The Boy Next Door". What about the endearing scene where Tootsie and Esther (Judy's character) danced to "Under the Bamboo Tree"? Everyone has been moved by Esther's heartbreaking rendition of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas". However, the most popular, cherished number is arguably the colorfully show-stopping high point, "The Trolley Song" (Klang, Klang, Klang went the trolley...) with Garland in a bus full of animated passengers. Every member of the supporting cast is just as captivating: Leon Ames as the stubborn father, Mary Astor as the suffering housewife, O'Brien, June Lockhart and Lucille Brenner as the daughters, Hank Daniels as the son, Harry Davenport as the volatile grandpa and Marjorie Main as the maid.
Since its release, this innovative picture has truly become a landmark musical. It broke new grounds giving fewer restrictions for modern family films rather than becoming some sort of unlikely fantasy fluff musical. MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS introduced domestic conflict to the celluloid, a topic that would forever reverberate beyond the walls of American cinema. This is without doubt essential to every fan of musicals. Even the average person would find this film certainly satisfying or entertaining.
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