Rating: 
Summary: An enjoyable Classic
Review: I enjoyed this movie. I watch it with my nana all the time. I am only in my early 20's and i have enjoyed this since I was 8. It is a delightful musical that captures your heart. It take you through the season of the year and you can watch thier lives unfold and the magic that they capture on screen. Even if your not into classical movies this one is amazing and I'm sure you'll enjoy it too.
Rating:
Summary: Corny and terrific
Review: So this movie is chock-full of corny moments, unrealistic scenes, and generally wacky elements. My favorites:-- the fact that Judy Garland's bangs form a perfect square, and never move, not once, throughout the whole film
-- the curtain-like dress that she wears during the squaredance party at their house ... it has tassels and everything. It's like a forerunner of Maria's sewing in "The Sound of Music."
-- the fact that her sister Rose is "playing" the piano by spastically moving her hands over the keys (you'd think Vincente Minelli would have taught the actress how to make it look authentic)
-- The neurotic little sister Tootie, played by the fabulous Margaret O'Brien, who is a great case study for child psychologists
-- the fact that Esther is gaga over "the boy next door," even though he has the personality of a carpet sweeper So why did I give this five stars? Well, actually, it's because of all of the above -- they give the movie its quirky charm -- and so much more, including: -- the gorgeous costumes, curtain dress excluded
-- the great ensemble cast, including Marjorie Main as the cranky maid
-- the sunny music: I challenge you to keep from humming along
-- the atmosphere of nostalgia, joy, and fun that this movie weaves. It's a keeper, an absolute classic. I've always loved it. I always will.
Rating:
Summary: "Meet Me in St. Louis!!"
Review: Judy Garland comes through again in this marvelous end of an era movie about a family who lives for the St. Louis Fair, and Margaret O'Brien is splendidly cast as the precocious little sister who upsets an entire household with her antics. "The Trolley Song," "Meet Me in St. Louis," and the ensemble songs and cast makes this a marvelous edition to anyone who likes to collect classic musicals. Enthralling and enchanting!
Rating: 
Summary: Sweet And Lovely!!!
Review: This Film I Would Give 4 Stars, The Love Scenes Is What Kept Me Holding On And I Would Give That Much A 5 Stars Rating! But Other Than That, This Film Is Cute And Charming! The Story Follows A 1903 St.Louis Family. The 2 Youngest Girls(Played By Margaret O'Brien And Joan Carroll) Whom Like To Cause Some-What TROUBLE, And Do A Good Job It Most Of The Time. The 2 Oldest Girls (Played By Judy Garland And Lucille Bremer) Bicker About Boys. The Only Boy In The Family Besides Dad Dosen't Like It When They Make Fun Of "Eastern Snob" Lucille Ballard (June Lockhart, Miss Annie Rooney)And Teaches Margaret O'Brien's Character Such Songs As "I Was Drunk Last Night, Dear Mother". But All Is Shattered When Papa (Leon Ames) Announces To The Family He Has Accepted A Transfer To N.Y.C.! The End Turns Out, But Those Whom Haven't Seen It, I Won't Spoil It For You! But I Of Course I LOVE One Star In Particular, Tom Drake!
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful journey to a time long gone by
Review: "Meet Me In St. Louis" would have to be in my belief one of the most perfectly executed musicals to come out of Hollywood's golden age. While most attention always tends to go on praising "An American In Paris" and "Singin' In The Rain", both of which leave me largely cold, this film I feel is leagues ahead in quality of presentation, musical score and performances. MGM the home of top quality musicals poured all of its creative talent both from behind and in front the camera, into making "Meet Me In St. Louis" the classic which it has become. The film relates the very simple story of a year in the life of the Smith family in St. Louis and all the trials and tribulations that each member experiences in the led up to the World's Fair. Starring the magical Judy Garland at the peak of her talents as Esther Smith and a superb supporting cast including child sensation Margaret O'Brien as the scene stealing Tootie Smith, veterans Mary Astor and Leon Ames as the Smith parents, and Margorie Main in the typical role of the no nonsense housekeeper Katie the film is overflowing with wonderful talent that gives the story their all. Indeed rarely has such a nostalgic look back at simple Americana been presented in so appealing a manner and as we get further away from thos eearlier simpler times I feel this movie grows in stature. Produced by the famed Arthur Freed Unit at MGM and based on a short novel by Sally Benson the film cost a fortune to make in late 1943 and was a considerable gamble considering the uncertainty of how the war would turn out at that time. The risk was rewarded with a huge Box Office success that made "Meet Me In St. louis" one of the biggest hits in MGM's history. With the films lavish use of the most brilliant technicolour, the introduction of each new season within the borders of what appears like a beautiful illustrated greeting card, sumptuous sets and beautifully detailed costumes it without a doubt has been regarded as one of the most beautiful films produced by MGM during the 1940's and has become one of the great classics of any time. "Meet Me In St. Louis" provided Judy Garland with her most famous role after "The Wizard Of Oz" and amazingly she was at first very reluctant to do it as the character was a much younger woman than those she had been recently playing and she feared that she would be eternally trapped in the image of the young girl looking for love. Luckily the powers that be convinced her otherwise and she went on to create a sensation in the role of the young girl who develops a passion for the boy next door. Directed with his usual flair in the musical genre by the legendary Vincente Minnelli this is where the romance between Judy Garland andhimself began and it was continued into their next film together the outstanding drama "The Clock" resulting in marriage. Garland produced some of her finest work on film under Minnelli's direction and here she is never better where she is in turn sentimental, alive and a ball of energy. glowing with a rare beauty, and in beautiful voice to sing some of her classic trade mark songs created especially for this film. And what songs!!!. The classic "The Boy Next Door", "The Trolley Song", "Under The Bamboo Tree", and unforgettably the classic "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" guaranteed to bring tears to your eyes like no other song you will hear. This is Garland at her shining best just before her own personal troubles began to interfere with her work leading to her being released from her contract by MGM in 1950. The film contains so many wonderful sequences. One of my personal favourites is the famed Halloween scene which is dominated by wonderful child actress Margaret O'Brien in a scene stealing performance. Rather than just have Tootie depicted as a sweet child up to mischief they have shown her talking about all the fatal diseases her dolls are suffering from and how half of them are buried in the backyard!! Truly a delightful performance by who the critics dubbed "the pint sized Garbo". The wonderful section set during the Christmas season also helps make "Meet Me In St. Louis" such a special viewing experience. The lovely togetherness of the Smith family learning to cope with it being their last Christmas in their St. Louis home is touching and beautifully done. It's scenes such as these that make you really wonder where Hollywood's heart is nowadays as rarely do present day films touch me as much as this part of "Meet Me In St. Louis" succeeds in doing. Among the smaller roles Tom Drake is the perfect young leading man to play John Truett the eternal boy next door and the object of Esther's attention. He would be forever typed as this character and it is still the role Drake is best known for. Harry Davenport as Grandpa, June Lockhart as Lucille Ballard and Chill Wills as the iceman all round out a superb cast delivering their best in unforgettable roles. For an enchanting excursion back to a time and place long gone from our present harder world "Meet Me In St. Louis" cannot be bettered. It is without a doubt one of the finest musicals ever produced and each screening brings out more joys to wonder at and experience. Enjoy some wonderful time with the Smith family of St Louis soon.
Rating:
Summary: THIS is Americana!
Review: If the United States survives all these mid-east termoil one of the most historic films that people will remember will be this wonderful MGM musical.The brilliant colors, termendious costumes, wonderful story line, sing-a-long songs and great acting and Judy's very best all makes for one enchanting movie that can be watched over and over again. This is Americana at it's very best. It is ashame that we don't have these kinds of people in Hollywood anymore. Thank God for film. It's wonderful that classics like this will never be forgotten. Just wish AOL/Time Warner would hurry with the DVD.
Rating:
Summary: Wither DVD?
Review: The film, of course, is brilliant. However, I wish AOL Time Warner will get off their behinds and produce a DVD of this masterpiece soon.
Rating:
Summary: Warm American Nostalgia
Review: This beautiful film is filled with warmth and nostalgia and is an American classic. Arthur Freed produced this heartwarming and old fashioned film from Sally Benson's story of the Smith family, living in St. Louis just after the turn of the century and waiting on the World's Fair to arrive in their home town. Both MGM and the beguiling Judy Garland were at their peak when Garland's husband Vincente Minnelli directed the most charming musical ever made. The film opens like a Currier and Ives picture, on the street just outside the lovely, and busy, Smith home as Esther tries to get their maid Katie (Marjorie Main) to convince her Mom (Mary Astor) to have dinner a little early. It's a big deal which will upset their Dad's (Leon Ames) routine. The reason it must be moved forward all revolves around a phone call her sister Rose (Lucille Bremer) is expecting from her boyfriend Warren Sheffield (Robert Sully), which she hopes will be a proposal. Minnelli slowly paints a beautiful portrait of an America long gone and does so in a loving way through the story of the Smith family. Both Agnes (Joan Carroll) and little Tootie (Margaret O'Brien) are a handful, but in a sweet way. Tootie's dolls all seem to contract a fatal disease and must be buried in the back yard! Chill Wills has a nice scene with her as the ice wagon driver, listening to the latest maladies of her doll. There is a wonderfully nostalgic scene during Halloween as Tootie becomes 'The Most Horrible' by throwing flower on old man Brokaw. Tootie and Agnes play a nasty prank involving a pretend body on the trolly rails which involves John Truett (Tom Drake), the boy next door who Esther loves. In a wonderful scene, she goes through the house turning down the lights after an old fashioned party trying to get the shy Truett to kiss her. But when she thinks he has harmed Tootie she beats him up! One of the most famous scenes in screen musical history is the trolly scene. Garland's Esther is wearing a blue skirt, black velvet blouse with white lace, and baby blue gloves. She has never been more beautiful than in this delightful and fun scene, looking back for John Truett and singing "The Trolly Song". It is cinematic magic that is unforgettable. Of course, Esther and Rose plot to get the boys of their dreams while all this is going on and attempt to get the girl of their brother Lon's (Henry Daniels Jr.) dreams as well, the fancy girl from the east (June Lockart). Harry Davenport gives a nice performance also as Grandpa. But all does not go smooth as their father announces he has received a promotion and they will all be leaving their beloved St. Louis to live in New York after Christmas. No one is happy as Christmas and the World's Fair approaches, least of all little Tootie, who lashes out angrily at her snowmen in a tearful scene unknowingly witnessed by their father. A lightbulb goes off of course and everyone realizes just what a wonderful life they have in St. Louis. This is all done in a beautiful technicolor production the likes of which has never been equaled. There are some spectacular musical moments as well, including "The Boy Next Door", "Under the Bamboo Tree", and of course, Garland's "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas". Not to be forgotten is little Margaret O'Brien's "I Was Drunk Last Night"! This is one of the finest films of all time, not just one of the finest musicals. What does the mischievious Tootie want for Christmas? A hunting knife! This is one you must own.
Rating:
Summary: FANTASTIC!
Review: This movie is AMAZING the opening sequence is fantasic and the ending left me with a warm fuzzy feeling inside, Judy Garland is charming and really makes the character come to life, her singing is uncomparable and my personal favourites are: The Trolley Song, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas and The Boy Next Door. Bremer is ok thoughshe displays no great acting ability, the father is wonderful and so is Mary Astor. The little girl who plays Agnes really does shine in what is a limited part. The only downside to this movie is Tootie, she comes across as nothing more than a spoilt brat who deserves a good slap, O'Brien does seem to overact but most child actors do, although 'Under The Bamboo tree' was quite good. The picture is in glorious technicolour and all the scenes and costumes are so colourful. Minnelli's direction is nothing short of genius and the use of a fuzzy lens when Garland is going dopey eyed over the boy next door is really clever. Overall I would say this is the happiest most feel good film ever made [the worst thing that happens is that the soup is too sour!] and sums up the magic of 'the movie golden age'
Rating:
Summary: Love it
Review: This movie shows Garland at her best- The movie lightens my heart every time I watch it.
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