During these trying and uncertain times, we hope to be able to spread a little bit of love and movie magic by showcasing some gems we’ve uncovered while delving deep into the archives.
Judy Garland and Margaret O'Brien star in this heart-warming turn of the century tale, about the challenges the colourful members of the Smith family experience when learning that they need to relocate to New York from their beloved St Louis. With their lives firmly rooted in their hometown and the St Louis World Fair on the horizon, they’re forced to consider a new future.
The impending move upsets most of the family, however the youngest member of the family, Tootie, takes the news the hardest and in a fit of rage on Christmas Eve, destroys the family’s snowmen and runs to her room in tears. Though things seem most bleak, Esther (Garland) joins Tootie in her in her room to comfort her and sings her Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.
Though the film is only set partly in the build-up to Christmas, the song has become a holiday classic and proves especially poignant in 2020 - a year that’s been filled with uncertainty and upheaval. The song embodies a message of kindness and hope for the Holiday season, and reminds us that “next year all our troubles will be miles away”.
One of the definitive Golden Age musicals, as well as a holiday mainstay, Meet Me in St. Louis (1944) is a delightful and nostalgic treat. The gallery below features some behind the scenes and promotional stills that we hope will help you muddle through this season.
