Christmas/ Musical Movie Review: Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)

This show is an interesting portrayal of life in St. Louis leading up to the 1904 World’s Fair.  It portrays an upper middle class family with five children, one son and four daughters.  The oldest two daughters are into the romantic scene, and have plans and boyfriends.  They are all looking to the fair.  The song "Meet me in St Louis" expresses this excitement.  The "Trolley Car Song," interesting for its rhythms is another fun song.  

Father puts a wrench into the happy home life when he announces that he has accepted a position in New York and he plans on moving the family there.  The family is in turmoil, and not happy at the prospect. 

Things look better for the older girls after the Christmas party.  Their relationships will likely keep them in St. Louis.  However the youngest daughter is upset.  The second oldest daughter, Esther (Judy Garland) sings “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” to cheer her up.  It doesn’t work.  She destroys her snowmen, as she can’t take them anyway.  Father starts to think about things, and Christmas Day announces to the family a change of heart, he plans to stay in St. Louis.  The next scene is a few months later when everyone is going to the Louisiana Purchase Exposition also known as the St. Louis World’s Fair.

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Let your heart be light
From now on
our troubles will be out of sight
Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Make the Yule-tide gay
From now on
our troubles will be miles away

Here were are as in olden days
happy golden days of yore
Faithful friends who are dear to us
gather near to us once more

Through the years we all will be together
If the Fates allow
Hang a shining star upon the highest bough
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now