Film of the Day: 33
Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)
Vincente Minnelli became one of the most celebrated musical directors in Hollywood. He gave us some of the most memorable musicals such as An American in Paris, Gigi and my personal favourite of his, The Band Wagon. Not to mention he directed quite a few dramas as well such as The Bad and the Beautiful (a great insight on movie making), Lust for Life (the life of Vincent van Gogh), Home from the Hill and many others, but today we remember him for the film that started his career.
In 1944, Vincente decided to cast 23 year old Judy Garland (from The Wizard of Oz) in Meet Me in St. Louis. At first she was wary of the role as she was afraid of being type-casted in childish musical roles, however Vincente convinced her to take on the role as Esther Smith.
Set in 1904 just before the St Louis World's Fair, Esther is one of four daughters who are all learning a lesson in life and are all dealing with the fact that the family is moving to New York due to their father's business. Of course they all love St. Louis and don't want to move, especially since they're going to miss the World fair and Esther and one of her sisters have a love interest in St. Louis.
It became an instant success with one of the most memorable film sets. It was magical, colourful and full of life and it became one of the most famous musicals of all time and also one of the most celebrated Christmas movies as well.
Garland also considered it to be her favourite of all her films but most importantly, it was the film that brought Vincente Minnelli and Judy Garland together.
Vincente Minnelli and Judy Garland were married today in 1945 (one year after the film was released), and one year after they were wed, they had a daughter named Liza May Minnelli. Liza also went on to become a famous film star who is mostly known for her Oscar winning performance in Cabaret.
Click here for the trailer.
In 1944, Vincente decided to cast 23 year old Judy Garland (from The Wizard of Oz) in Meet Me in St. Louis. At first she was wary of the role as she was afraid of being type-casted in childish musical roles, however Vincente convinced her to take on the role as Esther Smith.
Set in 1904 just before the St Louis World's Fair, Esther is one of four daughters who are all learning a lesson in life and are all dealing with the fact that the family is moving to New York due to their father's business. Of course they all love St. Louis and don't want to move, especially since they're going to miss the World fair and Esther and one of her sisters have a love interest in St. Louis.
It became an instant success with one of the most memorable film sets. It was magical, colourful and full of life and it became one of the most famous musicals of all time and also one of the most celebrated Christmas movies as well.
Garland also considered it to be her favourite of all her films but most importantly, it was the film that brought Vincente Minnelli and Judy Garland together.
Vincente Minnelli and Judy Garland were married today in 1945 (one year after the film was released), and one year after they were wed, they had a daughter named Liza May Minnelli. Liza also went on to become a famous film star who is mostly known for her Oscar winning performance in Cabaret. Click here for the trailer.
This is actually a great Musical and to help it along the way it's a Christmas film as well.
ReplyDeleteIt also has a great set at a World's Fair, in the then famous city of St. Louis in U.S.A. These Fairs were held every 2-3 years, and they promote a special city. They are also called Expositions.(Expos)
I had the opportunity to see the site of Expo 67 which was held in Montreal, Canada. The only Pavilion that stuck in my mind was an enormous globe called 'Man and his World' which represented the outdoors.
Great movie!