Movies at Mechanics' Presents Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)

A St. Louis family prepares for the 1904 World’s Fair in this vibrant, intimate musical from 1944. Upon its release, Meet Me In St. Louis brought comfort to the home front during World War II, and it continues to evoke warm nostalgia in the American public today.

The film is based on Sally Benson’s “Kensington” stories, a series of semi-autobiographical vignettes about Benson’s childhood in St. Louis. In 1943, MGM bought the rights to the stories, which were re-titled Meet Me in St. Louis and given to the Freed unit at the studio, known for its lavish musicals. Vincente Minnelli signed on to direct, and soon afterward, child star Margaret O’Brien was cast as Tootie (based on Benson herself), and Judy Garland joined as older sister Esther.

Garland nearly rejected the part. At 21, she was ready to graduate from playing adolescent love interests to fully-fledged adult roles. A teenager seemed a step backward for her career. But director Minnelli eased her doubts, instructing makeup artist Dottie Ponedel to bring out Garland’s natural beauty, and directing the lighting to her advantage in nearly every scene. She later said that this was the first time in her career when she felt beautiful. Garland and Minnelli began a romantic relationship before filming was over, and married in 1945. Their daughter, Liza, was born the following year.

Meet Me In St. Louis was a major critical and box office smash, becoming MGM’s biggest moneymaker since Gone With the Wind. Contributing to the film’s success was its release at the height of World War II, when audiences yearned for happier times and sought escape to the past. The song “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” originally written to reflect the sadness of soldiers stationed far from home at Christmas, was rewritten to evoke a universal longing for home and family. It has become a timeless holiday standard, reflecting themes of optimism and hope for the future. 

Tony Bravo of the San Francisco Chronicle will be our featured co-host!

Movies at Mechanics' has welcomed film enthusiasts for classic cinema screenings and salons on Friday evenings for over 20 years. Join us for fresh popcorn, lively discourse, and your favorite films the first three Fridays of the month. Hosted by Lara Gabrielle, film writer and author of Captain of Her Soul: The Life of Marion Davies.