Meet Me In St. Louis

Judy Garland as "Esthe Smith"
CLICK HERE to read about author Sally Benson and the origins of the story.

MGM purchased the screen rights to Sally Benson's "Kensington Stories" for $25,000.00 on March 1, 1942. Right away, the story went through the screen writing process at MGM. Several screen writers and authors took a stab at it. Sally Benson herself worked on what became a 198 page treatment written with Doris Gilbert between March 30 and May 9, 1942. Between April and October 1942, other writers worked on the project, including the husband-and-wife team of Victor Heerman & Sarah Y. Mason (Oscar winners for their 1933 adaptation of Little Women) and William Ludwig, who had written for the Andy Hardy series and also Margaret O'Brien's Journey For Margaret (1943).

None of these treatments seemed to work, and finally Irving Brecher & Fred Finklehoffe were given the assignment. Finklehoffe had written for several Judy Garland musicals, and Brecher had written for the Marx Brothers, which seemed at first an odd choice to write a delicate family story. Finklehoffe and Brecher wisely decided that the bulk of the story should take place in the Smith family home and it's surrounding area of St. Louis. It was Finklehoffe and Brecher who expanded the "Warren Sheffield telephone call from New York" scene by making Mr. Smith ignorant to the goings on and having him hang up the phone when it first rings. They also took out scenes at Princeton University and a Smith family visit to their grandparents in Manitowoc, Wisconsin.

Some other changes made were: Moving Mr. Smith's decision NOT to move the family to New York from immediately after the family's objections to the night before the planned move(Christmas Eve) heightening the tension; Removing a romance between Rose and Colonel Andrews (renamed Darly in the final film) -only a small scene remains that hints of Rose's attraction to him; "Under The Bamboo Tree Removing an announcement by Tootie that she did not want to go to the fair; Changing the hair color of Rose and Esther from blonde and black to both being auburn; Removing a blackmail subplot involving Esther and finally, they divided the film into four segments representing the four seasons of the year (Sally Benson's book had been 12 chapters, one for each month of the year).

Name changes were made too, sometimes for legal reasons. Sally Benson wanted Lucille Ballard's name to be either Picard or Dorsey. John Truett began life as Bluett, then for legal reasons became Collins, then became Truett (Ms. Benson objected to "Truett"). Warren Sheffield originally was named Warren Sheppard, and for legal reasons the Waughops became the Braukoffs. The real life name of the maid was indeed Katie, and the real-life Katie was alive and well and provided a signed release to the MGM legal department, giving the "ok" to use her name.

Finally, here are some interesting additions, changes, and/or deletions from the original book: The ketchup tasting scene that opens the film is an very expanded version of a simple paragraph in the book; In the book Rose gets mixed up with a middle-aged man; Mrs. Smith loses her temper; Tootie's ride on the ice wagon was originally a ride on a water-sprinkler; The cakewalk scene is danced in the book by Agnes, in a man's hat (Sally Benson based the Agnes character on herself); The Halloween sequence is in the book although it's Agnes who takes on the Braukoffs (or Waughops); A slight reference in the March segment of the book to a trolley gave birth to the entire "Trolley Song" sequence; The scene of Tootie and Agnes coming down the stairs during Lon's farewell party and Tootie singing "I Was Drunk Last Night" also comes from the book; Mr. Smith's decision to move the family to New York, and the subsequent tension it creates for the final half of the film, is from a small three-page episode in the book; and finally, it's Agnes who ends the book by saying "I can't believe it. right here where we live. Right here in St. Louis".

With the script in place, producer Arthur Freed turned to Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane to compose the original songs for the film. At the time, Martin and Blane had enjoyed moderate success with their successful Broadway show "Best Foot Forward". Judy The property was bought by MGM, so Martin and Blane, along with stars Nancy Walker, Tommy Dix and Gil Stratton, were brought out to MGM to adapt the show for the screen. Martin and Blane also contributed to other films including "Three Cheers For The Yanks" to For Me And My Gal (1942) starring Judy Garland. Still, they hadn't obtained the success they wanted so Meet Me In St. Louis was their big chance. Freed felt strongly enough about their abilities to ask them to write new songs for Meet Me In St. Louis, to help complement the use standards of the day. They would end up providing four songs for the film, three of which would be the best of their careers and have since become classic standards ("The Boy Next Door", "The Trolley Song", and "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas").

Freed also took a chance on hiring Vincente Minnelli to direct. At first Minnelli seemed like an odd choice to helm such a costly and risky project. Although to Freed, it probably seemed like the logical choice. Known for his use of composition and his unusual flair for design, Minnelli was an inspired choice. Minnelli had directed I Dood It (1942) starring Red Skelton, and most notably Cabin In The Sky (1943) starring Ethel Waters and Lena Horne. Click here for a biography of Vincente Minnelli.

Many at the studio felt the story had not plot and that the film would be a flop. It was even referred to by some as "Freed's Folly". But Freed stood by his choices and went about the tasks of pre-production on the film, including the casting of the major roles.

Click here to continue...
"The Trolley Song"

top of page

DATE	EVENT
06/14/1941	"The New Yorker" magazine runs part one of eventually 8 installments of short stories written by Sally Benson entitled "5135 Kensington" the eighth and final installment appears May 23, 1942.
01/06/1942	Lily Messenger provides an initial screen treatment of the stories to MGM Studios boss Louis B. Mayer. Ms. Messenger is instrumental in getting Mayer to support the making of the film. People at the studio balked that there was no plot, but after "MGM's Scheherazade" (Lily) vividly described the story, Mayer was enchanted.
03/01/1942	MGM purchases the screen rights (as well as the radio and, interestingly enough, the television rights) to the "Kensington Stories" for $25,000.00. The purchase date could be much earlier, in May of 1941 as some reports give Arthur Freed credit with reading the stories provided to him by Fred Finklehoffe while in the office of Leland Hayward (the famous show business agent) BEFORE publication in "The New Yorker" magazine. According to the legend, Freed is so taken with the stories, that he immediately gets on the phone and negotiates their purchase. (date is approximate)
3/30/42 thru 5/9/42	Author Sally Benson, collaborating with Doris Gilbert, produces a 198 page screen treatment of the stories, followed by additional supplemental material. During this time, Ms. Benson takes the original stories, adds 4 more chapters so each chapter represents one month of the year from January - December, 1903 and 1904 - and then publishes them as a book by Random House as "Meet Me In St. Louis" - this is the first time the title of the film is associated with the stories. MGM of course has the rights to the book as well.
April thru October 1942	Screenwriters who work on the script during this time include: Husband & wife team of Victor Heerman & Sarah Y. Mason (who jointly won the 1933 screenplay Oscar for "Little Women"), William Ludwig (who wrote the screenplay to Margaret O'Brien's immensely popular "Journey for Margaret") and even director George Cukor, who after a few months of work starting from scratch, was drafted into the Army and so the project was shelved, temporarily.
04/30/1943	Irving Brecher & Fred Finklehoffe provide a "rough continuity outline" of the screenplay followed by a draft of the screenplay.
05/22/1943	Arthur Freed signs the final shooting script as "complete".
06/10/1943	Judy Garland's 21st Birthday - this is important because Garland did not want to play Esther. In her previous few films, she was finally being allowed to "grow up" a little on screen, and playing the teenage Esther, in her eyes and those of many around her, would be a backwards step for her career. Her reluctance would cause a rocky start once rehearsals and production begins.
07/16/1943	After Brecher worked on the script alone adding additional supplemental material, the final screenplay is completed. Total cost to MGM for all the work on the script is: $86,616.67
07/30/1943	Letter dated 7/29/43 is delivered to MGM from Joseph I. Breen of the Hays Censor Office. CLICK HERE to read the memo.
11/03/1943	Arthur Freed and singer Denny Markas pre-record "You and I" for Leon Ames & Mary Astor to lip sync to.
11/11/1943	Rehearsals begin.
11/11/1943	Meet Me In St. Louis goes into production as Production No. 1317. It is budgeted at $1,536,971.93 with a shooting schedule of 58 days. Included in the budget are the following: $151,575 to build the new "St. Louis Street" $62,225 for the lower floor of the Smith home $16,625 for the miniature of the exterior of the World's Fair $15,625 for the trolley depot $5,091 for the trolley tracks
12/01/1943	Judy & cast pre-record "Meet Me In St. Louis".
12/02/1943	At 8:45pm, Judy & chorus and 41-man band pre-record "The Trolley Song" (which is Scene 90 in the shooting script).
12/03/1943	Judy & Lucille Bremer pre-record "Meet Me In St. Louis" (duet version).
12/03/1943	Judy & cast pre-record "Skip To My Lou".
12/04/1943	Judy pre-records "The Boy Next Door".
12/04/1943	Judy pre-records "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas".
12/06/1943	An "R. Monta" sends a memo to Arthur Freed relaying some story changes suggested by author Sally Benson. CLICK HERE to read the memo.
12/07/1943	Principle photography begins.
12/11/1943	In a memo, Arthur Freed gives final approval for the following name changes Lucille Ballard (was to be surname of Picard or Dorsey) John Truett (was to be Bluett or Carson - author Benson objects to "Truett") Warren Sheffield (was to be Sheppard) Mr. & Mrs. Braukoff (was to be Waughop) Note: The Smith's real-life maid Katie gives her approval to MGM to use her name!
12/17/1943	Judy & Margaret O'Brien pre-record "Under The Bamboo Tree."
12/18/1943	Judy arrives late for St. Louis filming, meets with producer Arthur Freed, then leaves at approximately 10:30 am not feeling well. CLICK HERE to read memo.
12/30/1943	Judy absent from filming of St. Louis due to illness - Memo reads "Judy Garland is still ill, and Company worked around her until 12 noon today. The balance of the day was spent in rehearsing musical number."
01/12/1944	Judy absent from filming of St. Louis due to illness. CLICK HERE to read memo.
01/20/1944	1:20pm - Margaret O'Brien's dental plate comes loose and she's sent to the dentist. CLICK HERE to read the previous memo detailed the beginnings of Margaret's dental problems and absences from the set.
01/24/1944	"Under The Anheuser Bush" instrumental recorded (this is to be part of the underscoring of the "Christmas Party" sequence).
01/28/1944	CLICK HERE to read memo detailing Mary Astor's bouts with the flu.
01/31/1944	CLICK HERE to read memo by Dave Friedman dated this day which begins the "layoff" of the company due to Margaret O'Brien's unscheduled absence which last through early February. CLICK HERE to read related memo. CLICK HERE to read the "apology" from Margaret's mother which arrived some time after their departure.
02/02/1944	Shooting is stopped for several days due to Joan Carroll (Agnes) being rushed to the hospital on this day for an emergency appendectomy. MGM callously suspends her salary during the time she is away from the set. However, Arthur Freed sends her flowers and "well brought up young lady" that she is, she sends him a "thank you" note! CLICK HERE to read memo.
02/14/1944	CLICK HERE to read from daily production log of this date detailing Judy Garland's frequent lateness & absence.
02/15/1944	"Margaret O'Brien was available for work today" is reported in a memo - shooting resumes.
02/29/1944	CLICK HERE to read memo detailing Joan Carroll's bout with the sore throat and flu that seemed to be "popular" amongst the cast.
03/01/1944	Judy absent from filming of St. Louis due to illness - CLICK HERE to read memo (Due to this and Joan Carroll's absence, the company is laid off again).
03/03/1944	Beginning at 8:43pm, the "Halloween Sequence" is filmed. A lunch from 11:45pm - 12:45am is reported. From 11pm through 11:32pm there is a break in filming for Minnelli to discuss "change in set up to give more eerie effect." The filming finally finishes early 3/4/43 at 4:55am.
03/09/1944	Judy absent from filming of St. Louis due to illness. CLICK HERE to read memo.
03/20/1944	Company waits for "Perfume bottle (special container with satin lining asked for by Director)" (from daily production log) - the company waits until 3/26/44 for the bottle. This is a perfect example of Minnelli's quest for perfection.
03/23/1944	Judy absent from filming of St. Louis due to illness. CLICK HERE to read memo.
03/31/1944	Report by Assistant Director Dave Friedman tells of one of many accidents to happen during filming. CLICK HERE to read memo.
04/01/1944	CLICK HERE to read from daily production log of this date detailing more of Judy Garland's frequent lateness & absence.
04/01/1944	Judy signs new three year contract with Decca Records.
04/01/1944	CLICK HERE to read entries from the daily production log detailing Minnelli's perfection in the composition of a scene - one that never makes it to the final print!
04/07/1944	Filming is completed and the production is closed. Total cost: $1,707,561.14 ($170,589.21 over budget) Filming lasts an actual 70 days (12 days over schedule).
04/20/1944	Judy records "Boys And Girls Like You And Me" for Decca records.
04/20/1944	Judy records "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" for Decca Records.
04/20/1944	Judy records "The Boy Next Door" for Decca Records.
04/21/1944	Judy records "Meet Me In St. Louis" for Decca Records.
04/21/1944	Judy records "Skip To My Lou" for Decca Records.
04/21/1944	Judy records "The Trolley Song" for Decca Records.
05/17/1944	Judy sings "The Trolley Song" on the "Mail Call" (#91) radio program.
05/25/1944	Underscoring for the film begins with Conrad Salinger conducting. Some of the sections recorded on this day are: The "Main Title" (w/the MGM Studio Chorus); The Halloween Sequence; & the "I Hate Basketball" scene.
05/26/1944	Judy pre-records "Over The Banister".
05/26/1944	Underscoring for the film continues with Conrad Salinger conducting. Some of the sections recorded on this day are: The "Getting Ready for the Party" scene; scene with Esther & John turning out the lights (including Judy's vocal of "Over The Banister"; "Tootie's Music Box"; "Tootie's Grief"; & the "Finale".
05/27/1944	Underscoring for the film continues with Conrad Salinger conducting. Some of the sections recorded on this day are: Opening of the Winter section; Esther's acceptance of John's proposal after the Christmas Party.
06/04/1944	Judy sings "The Trolley Song" on the "The Bakers of America Salute to the Armed Forces" radio program.
06/05/1944	First preview.
06/10/1944	Judy Garland's 22nd Birthday.
06/25/1944	Judy sings "The Boy Next Door" on "The Chase and Sanborn Hour" radio program.
07/03/1944	Second preview - cuts were made after this, including the deletion of "Boys And Girls Like You And Me."
07/14/1944	Arthur Freed writes a letter to Rodgers & Hammerstein about the deletion of their song "Boys And Girls Like You And Me" - Mr. Freed states "The entire sequence the song was part of was eliminated after the preview on account of its length."
10/08/1944	Judy sings "The Trolley Song" on the "Hollywood Democratic Committee Dinner" radio program.
11/02/1944	Decca Records releases the "Meet Me In St. Louis Original Cast Album" (it would be another 50 years before an official complete soundtrack album of the film is released).
11/22/1944	Meet Me In St. Louis premieres in St. Louis, Missouri - the running time of the film is 113 minutes.
12/17/1944	Judy performs "The Trolley Song" & "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas," for Philco Radio Hall Of Fame.
04/23/1945	Judy Garland and Kay Thompson are recorded in the MGM Recording Studios singing an impromptu duet of "In The Valley When The Evening Sun Goes Down" (Judy's opening number to The Harvey Girls). This is the only know recording of these two great friends singing together. CLICK HERE to read more about Kay Thompson.
03/01/1945	At Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood, Meet Me In St. Louis is up for 4 Oscars in the 17th annual Academy Awards presentation: Cinematography (Color)-George Folsey; Music (Scoring of a Musical Picture)-Georgie Stoll; Music (Song "The Trolley Song")-Ralph Blane & Hugh Martin; Writing (Screenplay)-Irving Brecher & Fred F. Finkelhoffe. It would win none.
09/17/1945	Judy marries Vincent Minnelli - studio boss Louis B. Mayer gives the bride away. Vincent would direct Judy in her guest appearances for "Ziegfeld Follies," and "Till The Clouds Roll By," as well as the films "The Clock" and "The Pirate." Although Vincent was scheduled to direct Judy in "Easter Parade" he was replaced with Charles Walters because, by this time, Judy's troubles at the studio had escalated to the point that Vincent (as both her husband and studio director) would be seen as and adversary and studio ally - thus aggravating her already fragile psyche.
12/02/1946	Judy & Margaret O'Brien appear in "The Lux Radio Theatre" radio show version of Meet Me In St. Louis. PICTURE
08/12/1947	Judy and the AFRS (Armed Forces Radio Show) Show Time Players perform a version of Meet Me In St. Louis for the "Show Time" radio program. Judy sings "Meet Me In St. Louis, Louis," "The Boy Next Door," "Skip To My Lou," and "The Trolley Song."
04/16/1948	"Summer Holiday" is released. Produced by Arthur Freed and directed by Rouben Mamoulian, it is a musical adaptation of Eugene O'Neill's "Ah Wilderness" starring Mickey Rooney & Gloria DeHaven. Actually filmed in 1946 the film goes through numerous revisions and is shelved for 2 years. It's an unsuccessful attempt by Freed to re-capture the magic and success of "St. Louis."
03/01/1952	Decca Records releases the "Judy At The Palace" which is one of the first Garland "compilation" albums & includes the Decca versions of "The Trolley Song" & "Meet Me In St. Louis, Louis".
04/26/1959	CBS airs a T.V. version - complete with the original score - starring Jane Powell, Jeanne Crain, Tab Hunter, Walter Pidgeon, Myrna Loy, Patty Duke, & Ed Wynn.
	Throughout the 1950's and 1960's Judy would perform songs from Meet Me In St. Louis in concert, on the radio, and on television literally dozens (if not more) times. "The Boy Next Door" and "The Trolley Song" were a part of her medley of film songs which began with her Palace concert in 1951. After a few years, "The Boy Next Door" would be dropped from the medley, and Judy would seldom perform it on it's own. Her most notable performances of the songs would come from her concerts and t.v. series. The most well know or significant are included in this timeline, but since Judy performed in concert hundreds of times, it would be futile to try and list each and every single performance of each song.
09/26/1955	Capitol Records releases it's first Judy Garland long playing LP "Miss Show Business." Included in the song line up is Judy's first studio recording of her original medley of "You Made Me Love You/For Me And My Gal/The Boy Next Door/The Trolley Song" (recorded in August of 1955).
08/06/1958	The first legitimate concert recording of the newly trimmed "Judy Medley" which drops "The Boy Next Door" from the lineup, and would remain as "You Made Me Love You/For Me And My Gal/The Trolley Song" - released by Capitol Records as "Garland At The Grove" (the Coconut Grove in Los Angeles, CA)
06/09/1960	The "official" stage version of the film, with additional songs, is premiered at the St. Louis Municipal Opera (in St. Louis, MO) - this is the version that has since been produced by numerous local and summer stock companies, as well as a full scale Broadway edition.
08/05/1960	In London, Judy records the second studio version of her medley, by this time "The Boy Next Door" had been dropped from the medley, and it would remain "You Made Me Love You/For Me And My Gal/The Trolley Song".
04/23/1961	The legendary Carnegie Hall concert, which of course includes the "Judy Medley" of "You Made Me Love You/For Me And My Gal/The Trolley Song".
10/04/1963	Episode #9 of "The Judy Garland Show" Judy sings "The Trolley Song" as part of her medley of "You Made Me Love You/For Me and My Gal/The Trolley Song".
11/08/1963	Episode #13 of "The Judy Garland Show" Judy and Peggy Lee sing "Under The Bamboo Tree" as part of the "Judy Garland-Peggy Lee Medley".
12/06/1963	Episode #15 of "The Judy Garland Show" Judy sings "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" (this is also known as "The Judy Garland Christmas Show").
01/14/1964	Episode #18 of "The Judy Garland Show" Judy sings "The Boy Next Door" in a rock arrangement as part of the "Hit Parade 1964 Medley".
01/31/1964	Episode #21 of "The Judy Garland Show" Judy & Mel Torme sing a "duet" version of "The Trolley Song" with Mel singing a counterpart to Judy's lyrics from the "boy next door's" point of view in that fateful trolley ride!
02/21/1964	Episode #23 of "The Judy Garland Show" Judy sings "The Boy Next Door".
07/23/1964	Episode #4 of "The Judy Garland Show" Judy and Lena Horne sing "The Trolley Song" as part of the "Judy Sings Lena Sings Judy Medley".
1964	MGM Records releases "The Judy Garland Story - Vol 2 The Hollywood Years!" - which include the first ever official release on record of the original soundtrack (taken directly from the soundtrack of the film) versions of "The Boy Next Door" & "The Trolley Song".
1974	MCA Records releases the two record set of the soundtrack of That's Entertainment! The only "St. Louis" song included is the first ever official release on record of the soundtrack version of "Under The Bamboo Tree."
1976	MGM Records releases the single record soundtrack of That's Entertainment Part Two. This is the first ever official release on record of the soundtrack version of "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas". Unfortunately, since MGM Records saw fit to use the highly abridged versions as seen in the film, the song is missing the first verse.
1981	The new home entertainment revolution begins with the advent of VCRs and Video Disc players. Meet Me In St. Louis is released by MGM Video on VHS and Beta tape as well as by RCA on "SelectAvision VideoDiscs" (precursors to the LaserDisc). Since that time, Meet Me In St. Louis has been re-released several times on both VHS & Laser Disc with each new improvement in the technology. Also in this year, the first "real" soundtrack album of the complete soundtrack appears on "Hollywood Soundstage" records. This is a bootleg company that made soundtrack albums of varying sound quality directly from the film soundtracks themselves.
1986	Dunhill releases the very first Judy Garland compact disc. It is produced by Sid Luft and co-produced by Judy's son Joey Luft. The medley of "You Made Me Love You/For Me And My Gal/The Trolley Song" is included. Some tracks are capitol studio recordings mixed with applause and the live tracks to make the entire CD sound as thought it were one concert. For several years, this would be confusing to Garland fans, not being able to tell (due to the mix) what versions some of the songs were or whether they were previously unreleased recordings (they're not). It has since been re-released by DCC Compact Classics with the exact same mix & track lineup. Also at this time, the Decca versions of the St. Louis songs pop up on a multitude of official and budget CDs.
1987	MCA Records releases the CD "The Best Of Judy Garland from MGM Classic Films". For some strange reason, the label uses the Decca version of "The Trolley Song" (and the other pre-1946 MGM songs) on some pressings and the soundtrack version on others, with no explanation or indication in the liner notes as to which version is included.
11/02/1989	The Broadway version opens at the Gershwin Theatre and runs for 253 performances. It closes on June 10, 1990. Donna Kane plays Esther, Betty Garret plays Katie, & George Hearn (who played Albin in "La Cage Aux Folles" in 1983 and Max in "Sunset Boulevard" in 1994) plays Mr. Smith (Alonzo). The show is popular although many critics state it is over produced and the additional songs are not as memorable as the originals from the film. Hugh Martin & Ralph Blane provide the additional songs, the same as were in the 1960 version. It was nominated for 4 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, but didn't win any. Interesting since the film was nominated for 4 Oscars and didn't win any. CLICK HERE for a "review" of the show. Meet Me In St. Louis is one of the few movie musicals to originate as a musical FIRST on the screen and SECOND as a Broadway adaptation. Oddly enough, three notable exceptions: "Singin In The Rain" (Broadway 1985), "Seven Brides For Seven Brothers" (Broadway 1982), & "Gigi" (Broadway 1973) were also originally MGM mega-hit Musicals - and Gigi (the film) was directed by Minnelli and the film for which he won his only Oscar for Best Director (the film won a total of 8 Oscars including Best Picture).
1990	CBS Records releases a series of MGM original soundtrack recordings on CD. These are the complete soundtracks recorded directly from the film soundtracks themselves and are varying in sound quality. CBS did not do a soundtrack of Meet Me In St. Louis, nor did they do a version of That's Entertainment, but they DID do a double disc of That's Entertainment Part Two which included the first ever official release of the complete soundtrack version of "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas".
1991	Capitol Records releases "The One And Only" - a 3 CD deluxe box set of studio recordings, live performances, and the never (completely) released in the US "The London Sessions" which include the "Judy Medley" of "You Made Me Love You/For Me And My Gal/The Trolley Song" recorded on 8-5-60. The following year, due to the success of the box set, Capitol releases a single CD entitled "The London Sessions".
1994	The Spanish company "Blue Moon" releases the CD "Judy Garland The Hollywood Years" which is a poor quality sounding copy of the MGM records versions (probably recorded directly from the old records themselves) of Judy's MGM songs. However, this is the first CD release of the soundtrack versions (aside from the confusing MCA 1987 release) of "The Trolley Song" and the first ever of "The Boy Next Door".
1994	Decca Records releases a 4 CD deluxe box set of all of Judy's Decca recordings "The Complete Decca Masters - Plus," which includes all of the Decca versions of the songs from St. Louis.
Dec 1994	Turner Entertainment, & MGM Records release the 50th anniversary edition of Meet Me In St. Louis on video, laser disc, & CD. The film's soundtrack is remastered into true stereo, and it's the first legitimate release of the complete soundtrack in audio form (all in one place) and the last title released under the old "MGM Records" label. The restored film has since been re-released on VHS once by Turner and once by Warners (who now owns the distribution rights to the Turner/MGM film catalog). NOTE: Until the DVD edition is released, the Laser Disc is the only place to hear the entire background score, isolated and in true stereo, as well as alternate takes of many of the songs including "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas," "The Boy Next Door," and "Over The Banister".
1995	Rhino Records obtains the rights to all of the MGM pre-recording sessions. This allows them to produce MGM soundtracks of the highest sound quality - many in true stereo for the first time - of many of the studio's classic musicals. Meet Me In St. Louis is one of the first soundtracks to be released, with all the songs and part of the background score as well as the outtake of "Boys And Girls Like You And Me" being released in pristine quality for the first time. Rhino has since included songs from Meet Me In St. Louis on many of their compilation CDs (including their Christmas compilation CDs). Now the public can enjoy the film and its soundtrack as it was meant to be seen and heard. Click here to go to The Judy Garland Online Discography Meet Me In St. Louis soundtrack pages.
04/06/2004	Warner Home Video restores the film utilizing their new "Ultra Resolution" process. The image is amazingly clear and vibrant, the best the film has ever looked. The restored film is released on a special 2-disc DVD with many great extra features. Click here to see the DVD page. The film is presented a few days earlier on April 4, 2004 at the Director's Guild 60th Anniversary celebration. Liza Minnelli, Lorna Luft, June Lockhart and Margaret O'Brien are in attendance for this special screening of the newly restored film. See the Media Gallery for images from this event.

top of page


Click on the images above to see the many examples of Meet Me In St. Louis media and collectibles.

top of page


PRODUCTION PICS	PHOTOS FROM THE FILM	PROMOTIONAL PHOTOS
Click on any of the images above to go to the 3 separate photo galleries.

top of page

CLICK HERE for links to information about the 1904 Worlds' Fair.

MGM PRODUCTION No. 1317
Cost: $1,707,561.14 Includes:
$208,275 to build the new "St. Louis Street".
$86,616.67 for the screen writing process (including early drafts and treatments dating back to 1942)
$62,225 for the lower floor of the Smith home.
$16,625 for the miniature of the exterior of the World's Fair.
$15,625 for the trolley depot .
$5,091 for the trolley tracks.
Premiere: December 31st, 1944
Domestic Gross: $7,566,000 (as of August 31, 1957 - does not include 16 mm. rentals, double-bill playoffs, or the film's share when sold for television as part of a package)
Running Running Time: 113 minutes (10,147 ft)

CAST:

Esther Smith:   Judy Garland
"Tootie" Smith:   Margaret O'Brien
Mrs. Anna Smith:   Mary Astor
Rose Smith:   Lucille Bremer
Alonzo Smith:   Leon Ames
John Truett:   Tom Drake
Katie the maid:   Marjorie Main
Grandpa:   Harry Davenport
Poster Lucille Ballard:   June Lockhart
Lon Smith Jr.:   Henry H. Daniels Jr.
Agnes Smith:   Joan Carroll
Colonel Darly:   Hugh Marlowe
Warren Sheffield:   Robert Sully
Mr. Neely:   Chill Wills
Dr. Terry:   Donald Curtis
Ida Boothby:   Mary Jo Ellis
Quentin:   Ken Wilson
Motorman:   Robert Emmett O'Connor
Johnny Tevis:   Darryl Hickman
Conductor:   Leonard Walker
Baggage Man:   Victor Killan
Mailman:   John Phipps
Mr. March:   Major Sam Harris
Mr. Braukoff:   Mayo Newhall
Mrs. Braukoff:   Belle Mitchell
Hugo Borvis:   Sidney Barnes
George:   Myron Tobias
Driver:   Victor Cox
Clinton Badgers:   Joe Cobbs, Kenneth Donner, Buddy Gorman
Girl on Trolley:   Helen Gilbert
Singing voice of Alonzo Smith:   Arthur Freed
Singing voice of Anna Smith:   Denny Markas

PRODUCTION:

Producer:   Arthur Freed
Director:   Vincente Minnelli
Assistant Director:   Wallace Worsley
Screenplay:   Irving Brecher, Fred F. Finklehoffe from the novel by Sally Benson
Uncredited script contributions:   Sally Benson, Doris Gilbert, Sarah Y. Mason, Victor Heerman, William Ludwig
Photography (Technicolor):   George Folsey (uncredited: Harold Rosson for "The Trolley Song" sequence)
Technicolor Color Director:   Natalie Kalmus
Associate Technicolor Color Director:   Henri Jaffa
Musical Director:   George Stoll
Uncredited Musical Director:   Lennie Hayton
Musical Adaptation:   Roger Edens
Orchestration:   Conrad Salinger
Songs & Music:   "The Trolley Song", "The Boy Next Door", "Skip To My Lou", "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" by Hugh Martin, Ralph Blane; "Under The Bamboo Tree" by Bob Cole, J. Rosamond Johnson; "Meet Me In St. Louis" by Andrews B. Sterling, Kerry Mills; "You And I" by Arthur Freed, Nacio Herb Brown; "I Was Drunk Last Night, "Over The Banister" (traditional) arranged by Conrad Salinger; "Brighten The Corner" by Charles H. Gabriel Jr.; "Summer In St. Louis", "The Invitation" by Roger Edens; "All Hallow's Eve", "The Horrible One", "Ah, Love!" by Conrad Salinger, "Good-bye My Lady Love" by Joe Howard; "Under The Anheuser Bush" by Albert von Tilzer, "Little Brown Jug" by R. A. Eastburn, arranged by Lennie Hayton, "The Fair" by Lennie Hayton, "Boys And Girls Like You And Me" (recorded and filmed but deleted prior to release) by Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein III
Dance Director:   Charles Walters
Editor:   Albert Akst
Art Directors:   Cedric Gibbons, Lemuel Ayers, Jack Martin Smith
Set Decorator:   Edwin B. Willis
Associate Set Decorator:   Paul Huldchinsky
Costume Designer:   Sharaff
Costume Supervisor:   Irene
Make-up:   Jack Dawn
Recording Director:   Douglas Shearer
Sound Recording:   Joe Edmondson

Judy Room Credits:

A special thanks to Eric Hemphill, Jamin Fowler, Simon Tarantelli, Brie Copely, Kim Loeffler, Meredith Ponedel & Mike Siewert for sharing many of the magazine covers and photos for this section of The Judy Room.

Research materials:
Meet Me In St. Louis by Gerald Kaufman
The World Of Entertainment! Hollywood's Greatest Musicals (subsequently published as The Movie's Greatest Musicals - Produced in Hollywood USA by The Freed Unit and "M-G-M's Greatest Musicals - The Freed Unit) by Hugh Fordin
Rainbow - The Stormy Life of Judy Garland by Christopher Finch
Judy by Gerald Frank
Judy Garland - The World's Greatest Entertainer by John Fricke
I Remember It Well by Vincente Minnelli with Hector Arce

And a special thanks to Scott Schechter, author of the fantastic "Judy Garland - The Day-By-Day Chronicle of a Legend" for his willingness to share the Meet Me In St. Louis portion of his book as added "meat" to the timeline, and for his unwavering support.

spacer

OTHER ST. LOUIS LINKS:

Terry's 1904 World's Fair Site

The Greatest of Expositions

Meet Me At The Fair

1904 St. Louis World's Fair

top of page